Blind Date With a Book

Have you ever stopped into a Barnes & Noble during the month of February? If so, you probably noticed a display of sorts featuring an array of colorfully gift-wrapped books. This tradition, most often  referred to as "blind date with a book, " is said to have been started by Elizabeth's Bookshop, a second-hand bookseller located in Australia, in 2012. This enclosed book forces readers not to judge a book by its cover, but rather, by its attributes. Just like a blind date, you never quite know what you're going to get!

Last week, I hosted my own blind date with a book event in celebration of the end of the semester. As one of the Loyola English Department Ambassadors and Literary Society President, I am always looking for new ways to bring book lovers together. And what better way than the prospect of free books?!

Thanks to my latest finds at The Book Thing (see post: Free Books! Free Books! Free Books!), I had plenty of reading material to pass along. With the help of some of my classmates and friends, we managed to wrap, label, and decorate nearly 50 used books. The event turned out to be a smashing success, with so many perfect matches. 

If you want to host a "blind date with a book" night with your friends, here's what you'll need:

1. wrapping paper—I prefer Kraft paper because it's easier to write on

2. markers, stickers, and whatever else you plan to decorate with

3. most importantly, books!