Most readers do their homework when it comes to choosing a new book—they read reviews, research the author, maybe even scan through a sample chapter. Now imagine you’ve been given a book to read that’s covered in wrapping, and it’s one you know very little about. This concept, often referred to as a “blind date with a book,” has been around for over a decade, taking place in bookstores and libraries everywhere.
“The goal is to get people to read books they normally would not be drawn to,” shares Lindsay O’Connor, owner of Raven Moon Reads.
Today, there’s a whole new twist on the idea: Blind date with a book parties.
“As someone who hosts a monthly book club, I’m fully on board with this trend. It’s a creative, low-pressure way to shake things up, especially if your club is in a bit of a reading rut,” says Cameron Forbes, the founder & CEO of Forbes Functions. “I love that these parties push people outside of their comfort zone, introducing them to new authors, genres, and stories.”
Ahead, experts share their best tips on how to throw a blind date with a book gathering in your home.
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Pick a Theme
“Blind date with a book parties are becoming more and more popular because people crave deeper, more intentional connections with stories and with each other,” O’Connor says. “There’s real magic in being surprised by a book you may not have chosen for yourself. When you do that in a social setting with friends, it makes it feel even more special.”
Picking a theme for your party is a good place to start, and there are endless options to choose from, including love stories, cozy winter reads, or family drama. Another fun way to theme a blind date with a book party is to match it to a season.
O’Connor gives alternative examples, like tearjerkers or books with characters you can’t help but fall in love with. Michelle Durpetti, founder of Michelle Durpetti Events, poses the idea of underrated gems, featuring books by lesser-known authors that deserve a spotlight.
“You can even go niche—books set in Italy, stories that were turned into films, or guilty pleasures you swore you’d never admit to loving,” Forbes adds.
Get Creative with the Covers
When it comes to customizing the cover, experts suggest leaning into the details. “One of my favorite ways to wrap a book is to turn the cover into a mini mood board—think photos, quotes, colors, or even stickers that hint at the book’s vibe. It gives your guests just enough of a tease without giving anything away,” Forbes says.
As for Dupretti, she thinks hand-drawn illustrations, wax seals, ribbons, or even a pressed flower can make each book unique. Maybe even add a bookmark inside the book for the recipient.
You can have guests bring their book already wrapped, especially if you’re going to be doing a lot of other book-themed activities. However, wrapping books together as the main activity gives people a chance to chat and share a peek at their book pick without giving it away.
Consider Clues
“There’s something fun about setting up a little ‘clue station’ where they can decorate their wrapped book with a few fun hints. It becomes part of the party and adds a personal touch,” Forbes says.
Ideally, you want enough clues to pique interest but not so many that it makes things too easy. Two or three short clues, according to Forbes, are enough to spark curiosity but not too much where it gives the book away. Examples of clues may be “If you loved Daisy Jones and The Six” or “Reads like a Taylor Swift song.”
In some cases, a classic book wrapped with a well-known line may be all you need. “We did a display where we covered the book and wrote the first line of the book on the cover,” shares Lorri Steinbacher, a director at the Ridgewood Public Library. “It’s the perfect tease without giving too much away.”
Conduct an Actual Exchange
“I love a ‘book swap meets white elephant’ moment,” says Forbes, who suggests trying a speed round where guests browse and decide whether to keep or trade. “You can also play a game like ‘Two Truths and a Lie’ by writing three clues on the book cover, with one being fake.”
Libraries and bookstores are meant for browsing, and displays are one way for people to stumble upon the perfect book. Blind date with a book parties can work the same way.
“Set up a table or shelf displaying the wrapped books labeled with numbers,” Steinbacher says. “Members can browse and pick one that interests them, then you can have people pick their top three and negotiate when numbers overlap, or be bold and pick a number at random.”
“A numbered mystery draw where each book is tagged and guests pull a matching number from a bag is simple but still exciting,” O’Connor shares.
Decorate the Space
Forbes recommends setting up the event to mimic a “literary speed dating” experience. She says you can create stations for the books, with scorecards at every stand for people to write down their impressions. Everyone can make their final pick after going through the lineup, adding structure while still keeping energy high with the timer.
And it’s fun if the room’s style matches the party’s mood. Think cozy, curious, and even a bit magical; vintage library meets intimate cocktail party.
“Stack books in unexpected places, use a typewriter as a table decor, or scatter literary quotes on cards throughout the space,” Durpetti says. “Consider soft lighting—twinkle lights, candles, or library-style lamps to set the tone.”
If your books cover a single theme, such as travel, embrace decor that reflects a region. For example, if it’s Italy, serve on-theme appetizers and play soft Italian music in the background. Or if you’re leaning into a genre like vacation romance, incorporate moody candles and tropical decor.
Feature Fitting Food and Drinks
When it comes to food and drinks, anything works, but Durpetti recommends keeping it to elegant finger foods that are easy to enjoy and won’t get your new novel dirty. Literary-themed cocktails are always a hit, especially a signature drink inspired by a character trait or plot theme.
“It’s even better if you serve them in thrifted glassware for that literary lounge feel,” says Forbes, who also shares you can never go wrong with a cozy tea and coffee setup.
Book-themed refreshments are so popular that entire books are dedicated to them. “For example, Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist and Literary Libations: What to Drink with What You Read,” Steinbacher says.
Play Up the Reveal
“Go around the room and have everyone unwrap their book one by one, then try to guess who brought it. It’s always a good laugh and helps everyone learn more about each other’s tastes,” Forbes says.
If you don’t like all the attention on you, though, you could alternatively have everyone tear off the paper at once and enjoy their new novel.
“For the big reveal, you could have a countdown when everyone unwraps their books at the same time, or you can have guests try to guess what their book is based on the clues before unwrapping,” O’Connor says. “You could have them read a message from the book’s contributor before the book is unwrapped, including why they picked the book and why they wanted to share the experience.”
Keep the Momentum Going
Steinbacher suggests following up with a second date party and to ask guests for their thoughts on the first one. Ask them questions like “If this book were a date, did you realize it’s not for you?”, “Would you recommend it to a friend?”, or “Would you read another book from the same author?”
In doing so, you can all better prepare your book selections for the next gathering while making others eager for another go. Remember to give everyone some time in between the parties to enjoy their new books. Instead of hitting the bookstore, guests will be eager to attend a blind date book party!
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Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens
