Blind Date with a Book

Calling all adventurous bibliophiles! Have you ever had a blind date - with a book? Here's your chance and the opportunity to, hopefully, go home with at least one new (literary) crush. Unlike other blind dates, this one has little chance of being an uncomfortable waste of time and is guaranteed to be a fun evening! I've hosted this event in the past, with another group. We had a blast, and people brought really great, current books!

Here's how it works, bring at least one book that you're ready to pass on to another book lover. The book can be fiction or non-fiction and should be in decent, readable condition and published within the last 10 years, preferably more recently. It can be a book you enjoyed and want someone else to love or even one that you spent a little time with but just didn't dig, and you think it could be perfect for someone else - just like human blind dates! Bring as many books as you'd like that fit those criteria.

How does it become a blind date? Before you come to the event, you'll wrap your book/s in paper, so the title and cover aren't visible (paper grocery bags work perfectly) and write a brief, slightly cryptic description of the book. You can write it in the tone of an online dating profile or old school newspaper dating ad (Remember those?) or simply a list of descriptive adjectives about the storyline, etc. Get creative and have fun with it! However, like a human blind date, don't be too forthcoming with all the information but don't be too obtuse, either. Your goal is to pique (literary) interest.

Here's what I've written for one of the books I'll be bringing. I wrote it as if the story's protagonist was posting an online dating profile....
"I didn't think I'd ever be looking for love, but here we are. Life is full of surprises, isn't it? Some that reveal themselves over time. Me? Well, people have described me as quirky, unfamiliar with social conventions, apparently very funny without even trying, rigid, blunt and odd. (Thanks, co-workers.) How would I describe myself? Efficient; smart (My vocabulary is prepossessing!); loyal; intolerant of nonsense; and fond of routines, vodka and animals. Heck, Reese Witherspoon, her book club and millions of other readers enjoyed their time with me. I bet you will, too."

You can bring as many books as you'd like, that meet the criteria above, and can go home with at least the same amount you brought (or more if there are leftovers). Please no religious books, reference books or cookbooks, etc. We're striving for enjoyable, recent, interesting fiction and non-fiction. No one likes a blind date that's a dud!

Want to join us but don't have any great books to pass along? Swing by a thrift store or a Little Free Library (LFL) and nab something great that you honestly think others would want to read. I often find wonderful, current reads in our city's LFLs. Any leftovers will go home with the people who brought them or perhaps I'll take them for the LFLs in my neighborhood.

We'll be meeting at the Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery in Greenwood. I've reserved a section of the venue for us with several tables and a perfect little area for the books. The location doesn't offer food but please be prepared to purchase at least one beverage to support this fabulous, local, members-owned brewery, which is reserving a great space for us. They offer beer and cider on tap, as well as in bottles and cans and also offer non-alcoholic options.

NOTE: To attend my events, you real first name must appear on your profile and a photo in which your face is visible. Parking can be a little tricky in that area of Greenwood, so plan accordingly.

Please be sure to only sign up if you plan to show up. No shows and last minute cancellations aren't groovy. I will likely cross post in another MU group.