Booktastic Board GAME

By Hudson Hornick

In this fast-paced 21st century, time spent together gets
shorter and shorter and we often find ourselves without an outlet
for bonding with family. Television and movies are fun, but they
don’t foster much interaction; reading, although good for the mind
and soul, is inherently isolating. If only there were a way to join
family time with reading time. Fortunately, a new board game called
Booktastic (ages 14 and up) does just that.

The game is familiar enough: Players get a plastic marker
reminiscent of Sorry, question cards are arranged, a die is rolled.
Booktastic varies from the norm, however, in that players are
allowed to move about the board in either direction in an effort to
obtain the most cash and collect four “Noteworthy Books,” which
they have previously selected from a list. Before rolling the die,
the person whose turn it is chooses a question to answer from one
of three categories: Casual Reader, Avid Reader, and Collector.
Questions for Collector can be quite difficult, but are worth $75
if answered correctly. If your literary knowledge is lacking, a
“Casual Reader” question is for you — it only pays $25, but your
answer is always right.

The game has a Monopoly-esque style as players can block other
players’ advancement by collecting opponents’ Noteworthy Books and
bartering for it later. The first player to collect all four
Noteworthy Books declares the game is ending, prompting one more
turn for each player in hopes of growing one’s collection.

Although probably not a frat-house favorite, the game has
appeal. Though somewhat slow-moving, Booktastic is an easy,
lighthearted game that gives all players the chance to win
regardless of their literary prowess. Booktastic is a mentally
stimulating family alternative to sitting in front of the
boob-tube.  

4•1•1 To buy Booktastic — the
Modern Literature edition and/or the Family edition (ages 10 and
up) — visit booktasticgame.com.