Musings - Blind Date with a Book

Just what is a blind date with a book you ask?  Often we are influenced by the cover (there is a whole science to book covers to get the book sold).  Without the cover, just a basic idea of the book, we can find gems we never would have considered before.  

This is really nice for family or friends that you know they would like a book but you know they wouldn't consider it otherwise.  This is also fun for book club exchanges, if yours does such a thing at the holidays or anniversary of the club starting.  Use it for an office gift or an anonymous gift exchange - you know the game where a gift can be stolen from another, this would be perfect.  This would make reading a bit more fun for kids or  teens too.  

Here is how it works.  So easy.

• Wrap each book in plain paper like a paper grocery bag.  
• Attach a one or two sentence blurb about the book, note the genre, and maybe the Goodreads rating.  Include the time period if it isn't contemporary, any trigger warns, and content rating (from G, PG, R sex, R violence, X sex/violence).
• Keep it generic without character names.
• List things about the book like:
• Africa
• Adventure
• Comradery
• Excitement
• Masculinity
• Booze 
• Brutality
• A Masterpiece

• Or have fun with it and make it like a single's ad:
• I'm an epic novel.  My interests include: love, honor, deceit, violence, inheritance, and loss.  I'm seeking a willing reader to join me on an epic journey through history.

 The blind date can be as simple as the wrapped book with description or you can spruce it up.  Add-ons for a nicer blind date, particularly for the people you know, include:

• A cool bookmark (maybe even handmade!) 
• Some tea, special hot chocolate, or speciality coffee grind. If you know the person really well, perhaps a nice bottle of wine.
• Kick-it up even more by including a special snack or a recipe that somehow goes with the book. I can see a container of popcorn for a thriller or maybe chips and dip, how about special chocolate (or chocolate covered strawberries) for a romance book etc.
• Really go all out and include a scented candle (or even bubble bath) you think goes well with the book.
• The next level would be to put the wrapped book in a basket full of goodies so you can include a mug for the drink or nice wine glass to go with the bottle of wine, a blanket to wrap up in while reading, and book/reading themed socks or t-shirt as some ideas. Let your imagination go.  You can make this child themed as well.  Attach your generalized description of the book to the outside of the basket by sticker or tag. This is so nice, it could be a silent auction item.  

I hadn't heard of this before, so when I ran into the idea at a library I just had to share it.  What are some other ideas to develop this even further?  What extras would you include?  Do you know of a situation you could use this for?