Speed-Dating with a Book

 

"Blind dates with a book" have become increasingly popular. At a time when there are always more books to read, and finding one you'll enjoy can be difficult, it's a fun (and aesthetically pleasing) way to change up the process. It's also a great way for smaller and indie bookstores to get unconventional recommendations into the hands of readers.

But what about speed dating with a book?

Wandering Pages, a local mobile bookstore that frequents my neighborhood farmer's market, set up just that in August. The event took place at Traditions Brewing and offered guests a chance to get to know 16 books and choose their favorites from across the selection.

This first iteration of the event was limited to 16 participants to keep things moving quickly, and it was a good decision for early days. It was large enough to make the selection meaningful and offer plenty of opportunities to chat with new people, but small enough to be manageable. Each participant received a "dating passport" to keep notes on each selection: number of book, immediate chemistry, and other notes. All 16 books, wrapped in traditional Blind Date with a Book style, had their own spot at a series of tables, and each potential reader got two minutes to go over the notes and make decisions. The decorations were simple, with a little wooden number marker for each book.

At the end of the speed dating segment, the host called out random numbers, and that was the order in which we selected our final books. It was easy enough to have second and third choices ready, thanks to the passport.

I ended up with my overall second choice, Debbie Cassidy's Wicked Onyx. I look forward to digging in; based on the back, this speed dating day absolutely did the trick. A pop-up shop for Wandering Pages also had additional Blind Dates (including some featured in Speed Dating) handy for attendees who wanted a little more.

Traditions Brewing was an excellent choice of spot: big enough to accommodate without being too noisy. And the drinks on tap were fantastic. I especially liked the mango coconut sour I started with.

What worked best about this first iteration of the event is that it was on the small side. I've seen a lot of events start enthusiastic and end up being too big to manage. Small and safe, no matter how promising an event is, is always the best course. There were no mishaps (that I could see), and the scheduled but laid-back vibe of the event kept things moving while still encouraging conversation.

My hope is absolutely to see more events like this, ideally with other themes and genres. There are some very cozy holidays coming up, which feels like the perfect time for it.

Be sure to check out Wandering Pages - even if you're not local, you can shop online and support a small business!