When you have a number of matches ask everyone to sit down and listen to the pairs telling their stories. You can do the same with the first and last lines or paragraphs of the first chapter. Students then tell each other what they think the book is about. This is a useful way into a book because it breaks down that feeling that they have to start on page one and read every word. In this way they can sample lots of books and choose one they really want to read.
Chain stories are always popular.
Read out the first sentence of a book and ask the students one by one to add a sentence continuing the story. To avoid predictability and students working out when it's their 'turn' tell each speaker to point to the next one rather than going around the class or up and down rows. Once students have made up 'their' story invite them to read the book and compare it. In a large class try organising chain stories in groups and then comparing the results. Another variation is to pass around a small tape recorder, record the chain story and then play it back.