15 Book-Themed Activities Every Bibliophile Must Do in Their Life

Being a true-blue book lover means you eat, drink, breathe, and live books 24x7. Although at the core of being a bibliophile is the act of reading, there's much more to the bookworm community than meets the eye. Contrary to what some might think, book culture is quite diverse in its offerings. Here are 15 distinct bookish activities that go beyond the occasional book chat, and allow enthusiasts to participate and engage in events and projects that are inspiring, fun, entertaining, and often magical.

Attend an author talk

It's one thing to read a book by your beloved author and a whole different experience having them read it to you. Well, at least a part of it. Author talks are quite common now and present the perfect opportunity for readers to interact with writers on a more personal level. To stay up-to-date with different author events, keep a check on publisher websites or ask about upcoming talks at your nearest bookshop.

Have fun at a book-themed amusement park

The Joker Jinx, Batman La Fuga, and the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman are but a few rollercoaster rides based on comic book characters that have been in existence for quite a while now. While there isn't an entire theme park dedicated to books yet, some of the larger establishments, like Universal Studios, are opening up sections devoted to popular stories. Amongst the most famous is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and although it celebrates the films more, a trip to Harry's magical kingdom is an essential must-do for all Potterheads.

Work at a bookshop

Ask any bibliophile, and they will say that working at a bookstore is their dream job. It's not an easy task, mind you, but a remarkably satisfying one. The random chats with customers about beloved books, a chance to recommend titles you feel are underrated, and being surrounded by books day in and day out, is the kind of euphoric feeling that keeps bookworms alive. Also, let's not forget about Bibliosmia, one of those enchanting bookish words, which refers to the joy of smelling books, something you can do easily when working at a bookshop. For those looking to explore this possibility, several independent bookstores are more than happy to hire part-timers or interns who want to learn the trade while they work. All you've got to do is ask.

Stand in line for a late-night book release

Admittedly, there have been only a few books to arouse mass passionate hysteria amongst readers. Harry Potter is a great example where fans line up outside bookshops, hours before a new part of the series comes out. Late-night book events are unforgettable experiences. Besides the privilege of getting your hands on a much-desired book within minutes of its release, it allows bookworms to bond with each other and share a unique moment full of anticipation and excitement.

Stay in bed and read all-day

There is pure bliss in not leaving home for an entire day and just lying in bed, reading page after page of a gripping book. For the longest time, this was only a fantasy for book lovers, but with COVID19 forcing us to stay indoors, it is one activity that bibliophiles can now do without the guilt of missing out on work or chores. Speaking of lingering in bed, you can also visit a literary-themed hotel once things get better, and stay in rooms that honor books in an elegant, chic, or sometimes quirky manner.

Join a book club

While it is lovely to discuss and photograph books on Instagram, the one-sided nature of social media makes having a proper conversation about the intricacies of a best-seller difficult. Thus, joining a book club in real life is a wonderful activity for book lovers, wherein readers can discuss in detail what they thought about a particular book.

Visit as many independent bookshops as you can

There are several ways to buy books from the comfort of your home these days. Still, a true book lover will find the time in their hectic schedule to visit one of the many unique independent bookstores we have in the world. After all, if authors are the magicians who ignite the spark to keep the book industry running, booksellers are the ones pumping the blood to keep it alive. Moreover, smaller, independent booksellers provide a much more personal service, making them a delight to visit.

Dress up and attend a book festival

Of late, book festivals have become a trend across the world. There are small and large ones taking place somewhere or the other throughout the year. The Hay Festival in Wales, Jaipur Literature Festival in India, Brooklyn Book Festival in the USA, and the Berlin International Literature Festival in Germany are some of the most visited book festivals out there. For comic book fans, San Diego Comic-Con is the ultimate destination. With possibilities to know more about the publishing industry, listen to authors speak, and the ideal spot to engage in cosplay, attending a book festival needs to be at the top of every bookworm's must-do activity list.

Follow a literary trail

Among the most captivating things to do for a book lover is to find out about authors and their lives in different parts of the world. The best way to go about it is to look for various literary trails and tours that give insight into famous writers who might have lived in a particular place or written one of their classics there. Taking a Jane Austen tour in Bath, England, for example, is a must for her fans. As for those visiting Switzerland, Lord Byron, Mary Shelley, Anita Brookner, and Rousseau are but a few greats who have added quite a lot to the country's rich heritage. Organized book-themed day trips are common in places with a literary past. You can either find them advertised at tour counters or read about them on travel websites beforehand.

Indulge in bookish retail therapy

To be called a bona fide bibliophile, you need to have more than just books on your shelves. It doesn't matter if it's a pendant in the shape of a book, flash fiction from a poet on the streets of Paris, or a tee with a quote from your favorite novel, bookish paraphernalia can brighten up your bookshelf and make others jealous of your exquisite taste.

Host a book-themed party

What can be more fun than a birthday celebration themed around books? A cake in the shape of hardbacks is a must, and you can keep children or adults busy with games featuring popular titles. To make things interesting, ask your guests to come dressed as a book character, and give them return gifts in the form of gift vouchers from a nearby bookshop.

Eat at a book-themed cafe

If you've ever doubted about the world not having enough book lovers, one look at the growing trend of book-themed cafes will make you reconsider that thought. Be it the streets of Korea, Australia, India, England, or Brazil, you will undoubtedly come across a café that has stacks full of books for its customers to read.

Take part in a Secret Santa book exchange

While every reader feels immense happiness whenever they receive a new book, there is endless satisfaction associated with giving away books too. A book exchange, especially a secret one, is easy to organize between friends, co-workers, or even social media followers. Besides receiving and giving out books, a Secret Santa exchange is an excellent excuse for discovering new authors and genres, some of which you might never have picked up on your own.

Savor a literary meal

There are two ways to have a literary-themed gastronomic experience. One, opt for a restaurant that celebrates reading by serving up dishes that are inspired by or named after novels and authors. A more immersive alternative is to invite your friends over and cook a meal based on recipes from famous literary works. To start you off, there is pickled lime from Little Women, cheese and toast from Heidi or fried green tomatoes from Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café.

Rearrange your bookshelf in different ways

Arranging a packed bookshelf is one of the most pleasurable activities to do for a bookworm. However, once you have done it, what next? Well, there are different ways to go about it, and it's always amusing to change things up every few months. You can arrange your books alphabetically, based on genres, on the color of the spines, in random order, or be adventurous and put them facing the front, so you cannot see their title at all. This way, every book you pick is a mystery!