When nothing on the shelf looks right, the problem is often the shelf, not you. We choose by cover, by author and by habit. A blind date with a book takes the cover away: you get one clue, one first page and twenty pages of patience. Here is how to play.
The rules
- Hide the cover. Wrap the book in plain paper, or ask a friend or a librarian to choose one for you.
- Read one clue, not a summary. A clue is a single line about how the book feels.
- Read the first page.
- Give it twenty pages. If it is not for you, stop without guilt. You still tried something new.
Three kinds of clue
A mood. "For a grey Sunday and a quiet mind."
A feeling. "You will laugh once, then feel something you did not expect."
A question. "What would you do if the whole village knew your secret?"
Leave out the title, the author and the plot. A good clue leaves a small door open.
Three ways to play
- At home: wrap three books you have not read yet, and let a friend pick one.
- With a friend: swap wrapped books for a month and compare notes at the end.
- With a bookseller or librarian: ask for something you would not choose yourself. Many libraries and bookshops also run blind-date displays.
After the last page
Write one sentence about the book and who you would give it to. It is the small habit that turns a surprise into a better taste.
