Keep the activity short.
A book-club activity works best as a warm-up rather than the whole meeting. Set a few puzzles on the table while people arrive. Choose words connected to reading, genres, or a shared theme. If you use a particular novel, keep the activity spoiler-free until everyone has had a chance to finish it.
Make a word list together.
Ask each person for a reading word or a setting they enjoy. Combine the suggestions in the word-search tool. For bingo, use at least 24 entries such as mystery, memoir, library, chapter, and paperback. Print cards in advance if your group is large, or make the list together as a small collaborative exercise.
Leave room for the main conversation.
Give people the choice to play, pair up, or simply chat. A short puzzle can help someone settle in without requiring a performance. Keep an answer key for anyone who wants it, and avoid turning the warm-up into a test. The best measure of success is whether the activity helps your group feel at ease.