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Writer's pictureCoty

Ada's Library Review

Ada's Library

I’m a bookworm who’s terrible at tidying up. My wife, on the other hand, is a master organizer with zero interest in literature. Can you imagine our excitement when we discovered Ada’s Library published by Playte Games? This 20 minute, two player game is like a match made in heaven—books, sorting, and a healthy dose of friendly competition. I’ve been trying my hardest to outsmart her at this game, but she's always one step ahead. Is it my luck? My strategy? Or is she just that good at organizing?


📚 The Setup

Place the model bookshelf at the center of the playing area to reveal the target order. Then, each player gets their own messy book pile. With the help of some trusty library cards, you aim to outsmart your opponent by organizing your bookshelf first. Good luck transforming your chaotic library into beautiful order!order.

Ada's Library components

📝 Game Components

  • 26 books

  • Library cards

  • 1 cloth bag

  • Rulebook

  • Box that becomes the game board


💡 How to Play

Randomly place one book of each color in the center of your playing area. Then, each player draws 10 random book tiles from the cloth bag and lines them up. This is your book pile. You'll need to reorder to match the model bookshelf. Give 5 library cards to each player and take turns playing these cards to rearrange your books to match the model library. Beware that there are cards that can move the model area and trade cards with your opponent!


Playing library cards

🔄 Playing Library Cards

During your turn, you’ll play a library card. These cards will help you organize your unruly book pile and maybe get naughty and rearrange your opponent books. Cards let you move certain spaces between your books, switch a book with your opponent, and reverse books within your pile.


🏁 Winning the Game

The first player to perfectly match their book pile to the model bookshelf wins. Didn’t get all the colors in your pile? No worries—just focus on what you’ve got and ignore the missing books. This can be a blessing in disguise!


👍 Pros and Key Features

  • Two-player game: my favorite kind of game! I love two player games and abstract games I can enjoy with my wife

  • Portable and compact: The box transforms into the board. The game could do without a board, but it is a nice touch. The board is beautifully design!

  • Good quality components: The books are made out of wood. The colors of the books and the design of the cards integrate well and are easy to understand

  • Language Independent: No text-cards—anyone can play regardless of language


👎 Cons

  • This abstract game could be considered luck based as the arrangement of the books and the cards you draw can easily influence your first moves or get you stuck with your options.

  • Hard to Acquire: Depending on where you are, this version may be hard to get. However, you can purchase Playte games via eBay


🧠 Final Thoughts

Ada's Library is an abstract puzzle game perfect for bibliophiles! The game has a quick setup and the components are portable. The setup is quick and the gameplay is engaging. While the game's luck-based elements can sometimes be frustrating, they also add an element of unpredictability that keeps things interesting. Whether you're a seasoned puzzle solver or simply a fan of books, Ada's Library may be what you are looking for! This game is available in eBay and at Spiel Essen. You can even snag your preorder through this link.

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