Ex Libris

The Bodleian Library, The British Library, Oxford Games, Ltd. · Board game · 1991
4–8 · best 5, 6 30 min Weight 2.1/5
7.7 rating Ludopedia
6.6 rating BGG
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7.7 rating Ludopedia
6.6 rating BGG
Our Verdict

Perfect for groups who love literature and party games with bluffing. The real fun is in trying to mimic famous authors!

Highlights
  • Stimulates literary creativity
  • Very high social interaction
  • Simple and fast rules
  • Great for large groups
Keep in mind
  • Heavily dependent on player creativity
  • Might be tough for non-readers
RECOMMENDED
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About the game
If you're a bookworm who loves a good prank, Ex Libris is exactly what you need. This game is essentially a duel of creativity and literary perception. The goal is simple yet challenging: you must convince your friends that the sentence you've invented is the actual opening or closing line of a famous novel.

The dynamics are straightforward: each round, one player takes the role of the reader and picks a card. They announce the book's title, and all other players must write a sentence that sounds plausible as the first or last line of that work. The reader then notes down the genuine sentence (found on the back of the card) and shuffles all the entries together. As the sentences are read aloud, the real game begins: everyone votes for the one they believe is the original.

The game tests not only your knowledge of authors—ranging from classics like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens to more modern styles—but primarily your ability to mimic different writing styles. You score points if people believe your lie or if you successfully identify the authentic sentence. The reader also scores if they manage to trick everyone and no one identifies the real line. It's a light, fast-paced game that sparks great conversations, perfect for those who enjoy word games and high social interaction. It's the kind of experience where the joy isn't just in winning, but in the absurd or surprisingly convincing phrases that emerge during the game.
BEST PLAYER COUNT
4 REC
5 BEST
6 BEST
7 REC
8 OK
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Game details

Families

Theme: Books / Libraries
Publisher The Bodleian Library, The British Library, Oxford Games, Ltd.
Designer Leslie Scott, Sara Finch
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a literature expert to play?
Nope! While it helps, the game is more about 'pretending' to know than actually knowing. The fun is in creating phrases that 'sound' literary.
How many people can play?
The game accommodates 4 to 8 players, and it's ideal for larger groups to make the bluffing more entertaining.
How long does a game last?
It's quite fast, usually lasting around 30 minutes, depending on how long players take to write their phrases.
Is the game complex?
Not at all! The weight is low (2.1/5), so anyone can learn it in a few minutes.
What's in the box?
Basically cards with book names/phrases and notation materials (paper and pencil).