Book Club Birthday Party Ideas for Adults: Celebrate a Book-Obsessed Friend in Style
If your idea of the perfect night is chatting about plot twists with a glass of something bubbly, a book club birthday is basically your dream party. Instead of a noisy bar and awkward small talk, you get cosy vibes, good food, and the excuse to turn your favourite stories into a celebration.
This guide is all about book club birthday party ideas for adults – from decor and invitations to games and gifts – so you can throw a celebration that feels thoughtful, personal and properly bookish.
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What is a book club birthday, exactly?
A book club birthday is a hybrid between:
your usual book club meet-up
a relaxed birthday party
a mini themed night based around your favourite genres, authors or tropes
You can:
pick one book or author to build the theme around
choose a broader vibe (cosy crime, dark academia, rom-com brunch, fantasy feast)
or simply lean into a general “bookish” aesthetic with stacks of books, candles and comfy seating
The best bit? Guests don’t need to be hardcore readers to enjoy it. Food, conversation and a few easy games keep things fun for everyone.
Step 1: Choose your bookish party vibe
Start by picking a vibe that suits the birthday person and your guest list. A few ideas:
1. Cosy Crime & Cake
For fans of cosy mysteries and gentle whodunnits:
Set the dress code to “jumper + slippers chic”
Serve tea, coffee and generous slices of cake
Use vintage teacups, doilies and old hardbacks as decor
Play a simple “who stole the bookmark?” mini-mystery game later in the evening
Great for: mixed-age groups, Sunday afternoons, people who love Agatha Christie, cosy crime and bookish TV dramas.
FREE PRINTABLE – WHO STOLE THE BOOKMARK?
Get your instructions for the rather silly, but fun, ‘Who stole the bookmark?’ game.
2. Dark Academia Dinner
For readers who adore gothic campuses, classics and a slightly moody atmosphere:
Think candles, candelabras and lots of dark wood and brass tones
Colour palette: deep green, oxblood, navy, antique gold
Background music: instrumental film scores and classical playlists
Dress code: “dark academia” – blazers, turtlenecks, tweed, loafers
This theme works brilliantly for a book club birthday dinner party with a slightly more grown-up feel.
3. Rom-Com Brunch
Perfect for the friend who devours feel-good romance:
Host a late-morning or early afternoon brunch
Set up a mimosa or mocktail bar
Decorate with pastel balloons, heart-shaped confetti and pretty florals
Name your dishes after rom-com tropes: “Enemies to Lovers Eggs”, “Slow Burn Scones”, “Meet-Cute Muffins”
Low-pressure, chatty and easy to host at home or in a hired space.
4. Fantasy Feast
For fans of dragons, fae courts and epic quests:
Use fairy lights, faux ivy, candles and goblets for a magical tablescape
Create themed platters: “Dragon Hoard Cheese Board”, “Quest Trail Mix”, “Elven Bread” (fancy focaccia)
Invite guests to wear subtle fantasy touches – a cloak, a flower crown, a dragon brooch
This one’s perfect if the birthday person has a favourite series you can nod to.
Step 2: Invitations & fun wording ideas
You can keep invitations simple (WhatsApp, email, Facebook event) or go full stationery nerd with printed or digital invites.
Fun wording ideas:
“You’re invited to Chapter 40: A Book Club Birthday Bash”
“Help us celebrate [Name]’s next chapter with a cosy book club birthday.”
“Prosecco, prose and plot twists – join us for [Name]’s bookish birthday.”
“Books, cake and conversation: the only love triangle we’re interested in.”
If you’re designing printables or Zazzle invites, you can play with things like library cards, “admit one to book club” tickets, or faux book covers as the invitation background.
Step 3: Easy book club birthday decor ideas
You don’t need to spend a fortune to make it look special. A few clever touches go a long way.
Cosy bookish basics
Stacks of books as risers for cakes, flowers or candles
Library-style labels on food and drinks (“New Release Nibbles”, “Backlist Biscuits”)
Blankets and cushions for a snuggly, reading-nook feel
- Fairy lights draped over bookshelves or across the table
Themed tablescapes
Book centrepieces: tie 3–4 hardbacks with ribbon and tuck in faux flowers or foliage
Quote cards: print favourite quotes and pop them in small frames or place card holders
- Bookmark place settings: personalised bookmarks with each guest’s name double as favours
Photo corner
Create a simple backdrop so people can grab a photo without it feeling forced:
Hang a cloth or sheet in a solid colour
Put out props: glasses, fake quills, mini chalkboards with bookish slogans (“Just one more chapter”)
- Add a banner such as “Book Club Birthday” or “Next Chapter”
Step 4: Food & drink with a literary twist
You can absolutely get away with simple “party food plus snacks”, but adding a few punny names brings it together.
Snack ideas
Cheese board labelled “Cheddar on the Orient Express”
A bowl of crisps called “Plot Twist Chips”
Chocolate brownies renamed “Dark Academia Squares”
Fruit skewers as “Rainbow Bookmark Kebabs”
Main dishes or buffet
Big pot of chilli = “Book Club Bowl-over Chilli”
Build-your-own nacho or taco bar = “Choose Your Own Adventure”
Pasta bake = “Comfort Read Casserole”
Drinks
Prosecco and soft drinks = “Prose & Prosecco Bar”
A jug of mocktail punch as “Once Upon a Time Punch”
Coffee and tea station labelled “Editor’s Fuel”
If you’re hosting a brunch, mix in pastries, yoghurt pots, granola and fruit for a lighter spread.
Step 5: Book club birthday games & activities
You don’t need complicated games – just a couple of structured moments to make it feel special.
1. Blind Date With a Book
Ask guests to bring a book they’ve loved (gently used is fine).
Wrap each book in brown paper
Write a few clues on the front (“enemies to lovers, seaside town, cosy, very funny”)
Guests each pick a mystery book to take home
This works well as both an activity and a party favour.
2. Bookish Superlatives
Create cards with prompts like:
“Most likely to be read in one sitting”
“Most likely to make you cry on public transport”
“Most likely to be recommended to everyone you know”
Ask guests to nominate books and vote. You can read out the winners mid-party, like a mini awards ceremony.
3. Character Charades
Write character names, tropes or famous book titles on slips of paper.
Guests act them out (no words, just mime)
Others guess within 60 seconds
You can theme the slips around the birthday person’s favourite genre if you like – e.g. only fantasy, only romance, only classics.
4. The “TBR Swap” Lightning Round
“TBR” = To Be Read list.
Each guest shares one book they think the birthday person absolutely must read next
Keep it to 60 seconds each
Someone notes them down on a cute TBR printable sheet
This doubles as a lovely memento for the birthday person to take home and stick in their reading journal.
Thoughtful gift ideas for a book-obsessed birthday person
You could checkout TheGiftedBookworm for more ideas.
Here are some ideas to include:
Personalised bookmark – metal, leather or laminated with their name or favourite quote.
2. Bookish mug – something specific to their genre: cosy crime, fantasy, dark academia, romance, sci-fi.
3. Reading journal or book log – especially if you create printable versions they can download.
4. Book club tote bag – big enough for a hardback and snacks.
5. “Next Chapter” themed gift – e.g. “Chapter 40” or “Chapter 50” designs on badges, mugs or cushions.
6. Bookish candles – scents inspired by old books, rain, libraries or specific kinds of stories.
7. Cosy reading socks or blanket – bonus points if it’s in their favourite colour.
8. Book subscription box or voucher – ideal if you don’t know their exact taste.
9. Pretty bookends – cats, plants, or something that matches their home style.
10. Literary-inspired jewellery – quote bracelets, tiny book pendants, quill earrings.