Our game of the day is Literati Challenge, by Discovery Bay Games. I’m generally not a fan of word games — Boggle, Balderdash and the like are a good way to ruin my evening!
But, Literati Challenge piqued my interest (for, among other things, the opportunity to demonstrate proper usage of words like “piqued”.) In this game, all the players in a round are assigned a series of
words which they must use in writing a few-sentence-long story. The words are described as “SAT-level”, which I’d say is pretty accurate. They’re certainly not impossibly difficult, but it helps to play with teenagers or adults on a similar level of language skills.
The players are given less than a minute to write their stories, so it’s a big advantage to be able to write quickly. As the five words are revealed, you have to think fast to include as many of them as
possible, scoring points for each word you apply correctly. (And bonuses if you use them all!)
Of course, the caveat is that if you mis-use words in the wrong context, other players can challenge you and you have to defend your knowledge of the word against its proper definition. Last-minute
attempts to use extra-hard words caused much hilarity!
As one who loves to read (as I do) and enjoys a healthy vocabulary, this game was lots of fun. We played it as a family game with a variety of skill levels (ages 13 to fifty-something), and discovered that it takes a lot of creativity — and, at times, bluffing skills — to come out ahead. I’m not a big fan of games as a general rule but games that involve story-telling get a big thumbs up from me!
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
We have one copy of Literati Challenge to give away (U.S. addresses only). Leave a comment on this post if you’d like to be eligible to win.
Click on the banner above to enter our other Summer Fun Giveaways. All winners will be announced on June 11.
JDSG says
This would be great for my family and I have a couple of relatives who would love it as well. Hmm, I’m thinking Christmas gifts.
JDSG
visionquest2020 (at) msn (dot) com
Brittany says
Wow, this combines two of my favorite things – games and words. Definitely sign me up for this contest, please!
Jean M. says
This would be fun! Now to get someone to play it with me. 🙂
Linda says
I love word games. Scrabble, Toggle, dictionary, etc. Play word games on pogo.com often. Would love to win this game.
Thank you.
Janet Carter says
gahome2mom at gmail dot com
My daughters would enjoy this game. Thanks.
Sylvia says
That sounds like something I could use with my two teens, thanks for offering it.
Patti Iler says
This sounds like a lot of fun. I LOVE word games!!
NTE says
This sounds like a great game!
jen w. says
As an English teacher, this sounds like just the game my students need! Their vocabulary is….um….lacking.
susan varney says
i would like to win [email protected]
corinne says
Looks fun! Thanks for the opportunity!
Lindamarie says
Word games are my family’s favorite kind! AND, I could use this in my classroom. I would really, really LOVE to win this!
Enid says
I love word games!! This is up my alley and piques my interest as I am a big game player!!!!
MRS.MOMMYY says
sounds great
DanielleC says
My fiance and I play games every week and word games are our fav’s!!
Richard Deyarmond says
My wife & I love word games
Marla Taviano says
Ooooh! I’d love to win this game!
Sid says
This would be perfect for me!! I’ve won two consecutive annual spelling bees, have aced all of my spelling tests, and love everything having to do with words and languages!
[email protected]
Shellie Seering says
This game would be so fun to play with my teenagers, thanks for sharing!
michele anne says
This sounds great…would like to win….
Joanne Schultz says
What a fun-sounding game! And think of all the great words you’d learn!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Debbie says
Interesting!
cris says
This would be perfect for our writer friends (who have introduced us to all sorts of word games you can play in the car). Thanks for the giveaway!
Erika Elizabeth Meyer says
I can just imagine the fun my family will have playing this game!
jeanine says
what a great way for families to spend time together. we are homeschoolers and we always look for new educational games to enjoy together.
Hillary says
That sounds like a lot of fun!
Mariah says
This sounds like a really fun game!
Mariah
penguinqueen(at)hotmail(dot)com
Deborah Wellenstein says
We would certainly enjoy this game! Thank you!
Kelly Ann T. says
Please enter me as this would be a perfect game to play during family fun night.
KRistin says
My husband would especially LOVE this book. He is a scrabble, and crossword puzzle maniac!
Carey says
I love word games (excpet scrabble).
Cassandra says
I would LOVE to win this game! My hubby and I love all sorts of games but prefer word games. This is one I haven’t tried yet.
Monique Rizzo says
Hubby and I would LOVE this! Thanks for the chance.
[email protected]
barbara wright says
This game sounds great! We play “Ghost” frequently and have been fighting for the last 3 years whether the non-existent word is spelled “brunkable” or “bruncable”!
Annmarie W. says
I’ve never heard of this game before, and it looks great! I love all word games!
Elizabeth Sprague says
Love word games!
Kristin says
Ooooh…I’d love to challenge my parents to this game.
PisecoMom says
oh, fun! We love books & words AND board games here. Thanks for the contest!
Stacy says
This sounds like a great game!
Sonia says
I can see me and my hubby getting into this and later on, the kids.
Stacy says
I subscribe via google reader
Catherine says
Thanx for the contest
christopher h says
sounds like fun, would love to win
Randy Bailey says
Sound like fun
Michele says
I’ve never heard of this…but it sounds like something that my sister would love!
Mozi Esmes Mommy says
Love games! This sounds like fun!
Rita says
Fascinating learning game!
Sue says
Looks like fun
jan koontz says
would like this for game nite