Blind Date with a Book: How It Works and Where to Find

There’s something thrilling about picking up a book without knowing what’s inside. Blind Date with a Book does exactly that — wraps a title in plain paper with just a handful of clues, leaving the cover, author, and title a mystery until you get home.

Typical price range per book: $15 – $25 ·
Common add-ons: stickers, bookmark, pen ·
Average number of clues per wrap: 3–5 ·
Most popular genres on Etsy: Romantasy, Fantasy, Mystery

Five key details, one pattern: the surprise factor replaces the cover-judging habit with a clue-based choice.

How does a Blind Date with a Book work?

The core idea is simple: a book is hidden inside a wrapper so the cover, title, and author are invisible. Only a few cryptic clues on the outside guide the buyer. A school librarian’s guide from Readerpants recommends starting the program in the second week of January and using a highly visible display. The books themselves can be wrapped in magazine pages, butcher paper, wrapping paper, paper bags, or newspaper, according to The Disruptive Librarian.

How do bookstores wrap Blind Date with a Book?

• Wrapping materials vary: kraft paper, magazine pages, brown paper bags (The Disruptive Librarian)
• One method: place the book in a brown paper bag, hole-punch the top, and seal with ribbon (The Disruptive Librarian)
• Another style: wrap like a birthday or holiday gift, then add a clue card
• Important: copy the barcode onto the outside before sealing (The Disruptive Librarian)

What do Reddit users say about the experience?

While specific Reddit threads lack permanent URLs, the general sentiment on r/books and r/bookhaul is overwhelmingly positive. Users describe it as “a fun way to discover new books without judging a cover” and note that the surprise element often leads to reads they would have otherwise passed up.

The pattern: the process turns a purchase into an experience, and the social sharing of “rate your date” slips keeps engagement high.

What is the Blind Date with a Book?

It’s a promotional concept where books are sold wrapped in paper with only clue-like tags. The goal is to encourage readers to step outside their comfort zone and discover titles they might not pick up otherwise. A DIY guide from Ashton’s Edita frames the idea as a low-cost alternative to pre‑made gift boxes, asking “Why pay $25 plus shipping?” when you can wrap your own with a few clues.

What are some examples of Blind Date with a Book?

• A wrapped copy of a fantasy novel labeled “Strong female characters, twisting plot lines, adventure” (The Disruptive Librarian)
• A mystery book wrapped in newspaper with only the first line as a clue
• A “blind date” box from an Etsy shop that includes stickers, a bookmark, and a handwritten note

What genres are available for Blind Date with a Book?

• Romantasy – the most popular genre on Etsy
• Fantasy and science fiction
• Mystery and thriller
• Contemporary fiction and romance
• Young adult and new adult

The catch: the buyer must rely on genre tags alone, which can lead to pleasant surprises — or, occasionally, a mismatch with personal taste.

Does Barnes and Noble still do Blind Date with a Book?

Barnes & Noble has run the promotion during past Valentine’s Day and holiday seasons, but its availability now varies by store and year. As of early 2025, some locations still offer wrapped books in February, while others have paused the program. The best way to check is to call your local store or look for a “Mystery Book” display. Meanwhile, independent bookstores and online platforms such as Etsy offer the concept year-round.

Where can I find a Blind Date with a Book near me?

• Independent bookstores: many participate in February and year-round
• Etsy: search “blind date with a book” – hundreds of shops (Ashton’s Edita mentions online DIY alternatives)
• Libraries: host blind date events, especially in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day (Readerpants includes promotion through library newsletters)

Is Blind Date with a Book available in Ireland?

Yes. Online stores such as specialgifts.ie offer blind date books with Irish shipping. Local bookshops in Dublin, Cork, and Galway also run the promotion around Valentine’s Day and Christmas.

What usually comes with a Blind Date with a Book?

Most packages include the wrapped book and a few small extras to turn the purchase into a gift-like experience. A typical list from Ashton’s Edita (a DIY gift guide) includes a sticker, a bookmark, and a pen. Some shops add tea bags, candy, or a personalized note. Online sellers often let you customize the genre and choose add-ons.

What is included in a Blind Date with a Book box?

• The book (new or used, depending on the seller)
• At least one extra: sticker, bookmark, or pen (Ashton’s Edita)
• Optional: tea, candy, a handwritten note, or a “rate your date” slip (The Disruptive Librarian describes rating slips)

The trade-off: a $12–$15 entry-level box offers basic extras; premium boxes with multiple add‑ons can cost $25–$30.

How much do people charge for a Blind Date with a Book?

Prices typically range from $10 to $30 for a single wrapped book. The cost depends on whether the book is new or used, the wrapping materials, and the number of extras. Etsy listings often start around $12–$15 for a book with basic add‑ons. Bulk or subscription options, if available, can bring the cost per book lower.

How many books do you need to sell to make $100,000?

If a seller charges $15 per book and keeps $10 after costs, they would need to sell 10,000 copies annually to reach $100,000 in profit. That’s about 27 books per day, a volume achieved only by established shops with strong marketing.

What factors affect the price?

• Book value: new hardcovers cost more than used paperbacks
• Extras: stickers, bookmarks, tea, and personal notes add $1–$5
• Wrapping materials: brown paper is cheap; patterned wrapping paper adds a small cost
• Shipping: for online sales, shipping is often separate

How to organize your own Blind Date with a Book

Running a blind date promotion — whether at a school, library, or just among friends — is straightforward. The steps below come from school library experts Readerpants and The Disruptive Librarian.

1. Select the books. Choose a mix of genres and reading levels. Avoid books with damaged covers — the reader won’t judge the cover, but the condition still matters.
2. Write the clues. For each book, note 3–5 clues: genre, mood, first line, setting, or a trope (e.g., “strong female lead”).
   Example clue cards from The Disruptive Librarian include “adventure,” “twisting plot lines,” and “strong female characters.”
3. Wrap the books. Use brown paper bags, butcher paper, magazine pages, or wrapping paper. Seal with tape, a hole‑punch and ribbon, or a sticker. Copy the barcode onto the outside before sealing (The Disruptive Librarian).
4. Set up a display. Use a table in a high‑traffic area. Arrange wrapped books so the clues are easy to read (The Disruptive Librarian).
5. Promote the event. Use announcements, newsletters, and social media. Readerpants suggests starting in early January and offering prizes or daily drawings to boost engagement.
6. Include a “Rate Your Date” slip. After reading, participants fill out a slip with their rating, what they liked most, and whether they’d recommend it (The Disruptive Librarian). Display the slips near the books to build social proof.

What we know – and what’s still unclear

Final thought

Blind Date with a Book isn’t just a quirky promotion — it’s a clever psychological hook that turns the act of buying a book into a game. The clue system creates a low‑stakes risk that often pays off with a new favorite author or genre. For independent bookstores and library programmers, the investment is minimal (paper, ribbon, a few hours of wrapping) and the payoff can be a measurable uptick in circulation and happy readers. For the Etsy seller or the gift‑giver, the same principle applies: the surprise is the product. The trade‑off is that not every blind date ends in a happy reader, but that uncertainty is part of the fun.

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