Some time at the end of July, my daughter started her treatment at Marie France, located conveniently beside Robinson’s Galleria. After her session, hunger struck, and we decided to grab some food. As we wandered around the mall, shelves of books caught our eye, beckoning us into the comforting space of Books for Less. Walking in, I felt a flashback to my college years, where a weekly visit to Book Sale was my tradition, eagerly awaiting new arrivals or anticipated titles (I fondly remember being on their waitlist for V.C. Andrews books, which I managed to complete, thanks to them).
At Books for Less, the allure of pre-loved books instantly struck a chord with me. From high school visits to Recto to college days at BookSale, the love for pre-loved books has always been a part of my literary journey. Finding Books for Less was like uncovering a treasure.
As my daughter and I scanned through the shelves, a curious basket filled with what looked like brown boxes caught my attention. Upon closer inspection, I discovered books wrapped in unassuming brown paper, each adorned with short, handwritten descriptions—mysterious hints to what lay inside. Then I saw the sign: “Blind Date with a Book.” An impulsive urge to explore the unknown took over, and my daughter, sensing my curiosity, bought me one, along with the complete Millennium series and His Dark Materials trilogy.
And so my blind date begins. The anticipation of the unknown and the thrill of discovery were already taking hold, making it more than just a bookstore visit—it was the start of a new adventure.
The allure of mystery
So, what does one normally do on a first date? How the heck would I know? I’ve never been on one! Technically, this was my first-ever blind date in my entire 46 years of existence. And what did I do? Well, just like what I would probably do with a human date, I subtly scanned it from “head to toe.” Because we’re humans, we always judge the package first, don’t we?
The basket of wrapped books at Books for Less gave me the feel of a basket of freshly baked bread with its smell lingering in the air, compelling you to grab one. The brown paper wrapping added an old-world charm. It reminded me of an elementary school Christmas challenge when my teacher urged us to save paper and wrap our gifts in newspapers. My classmates and I complied, some even making their newspaper wrappings look glossy.
These brown-wrapped books at Books for Less had that same old-school feel, complete with a string tied around it like a ribbon, akin to a necktie on a human, completing the look.
I scanned through the descriptions on each paper-wrapped book, as if choosing a partner from a lineup (ew, haha), until I (or well, my daughter) found a good fit—a murder mystery. (I’ve hidden the paper wrap so well, I can’t find it now, so I can’t share exactly what’s on it.)
My daughter, knowing my penchant for murder mysteries and everything serial killer-related, bought the book for me. Feeling giddy like a young lady choosing the best dress for an upcoming blind date, I couldn’t wait to get home to uncover what lay inside. I didn’t even make it home. As soon as we hopped into a Grab car, I took out my blind date from its bag, snapped a selfie for my Facebook story, and slowly untied the ribbon (God, it was not easy!).
I carefully opened the paper wrapping, making sure to keep it intact for safekeeping, and voila! “Love Murder” by Saul Black stared me straight in the face (literally, because the cover of the book features the eyes of a woman staring back at you).
Once home, I readied my coffee, plopped my pillow, rested my back on the bed’s headboard, and journeyed into bookland. And so, the date began.
The first blind date
Just like those K-dramas where blind dates are carefully chosen by others based on preferences, my first “Blind Date with a Book” was similarly orchestrated—well, by my daughter. Based on my tastes (either murder mystery or fantasy), she picked one that seemed to match my palate. Yet, as we know from drama plots and perhaps from real life, things don’t always work out, even when we’re served with something that matches our listed preferences. Nuances can sometimes turn a hopeful start into a one-time event.
The book I got from my blind date was like that—it matched my taste from the description, but once unwrapped and delved into, it didn’t quite grip me as I had hoped. “Love Murder” by Saul Black had a promising premise, involving a murderous duo, a jailed killer, and resurfacing murders compelling a horrifying reunion. Glass, the charismatic and manipulative antagonist, and Valerie, the protagonist, played a riveting cat-and-mouse game.
While the characters were intriguing and the storyline heart-thumping, what brought the ‘ah, well, no’ moment was the predictability of the plot. I quickly guessed who the partner was, and though the detailed descriptions painted vivid scenes, there was nothing ground-breaking.
I admit, the duo was terrifyingly smart, and the book had its intense moments. But like a real blind date, the thrill of anticipation can sometimes outweigh the actual experience. The book itself wasn’t intriguing enough to compel me to re-read it, as I’ve done with many others that became favorites.
So, while I enjoyed the context of a blind date with a book (a concept as thrilling as a blind date with a person), this particular date didn’t sweep me off my feet. Yet, the experience was exciting enough that I was ready to move on to another blind date with a different wrapped mystery.
So, I’m moving on to my next blind date!
Round 2: Another blind date
“Finding you a partner is perhaps the toughest thing in the world,” my kids often tease. They know all too well my hesitance to disrupt my comfortable setup with a new relationship. Big changes aren’t really my thing. So instead of setting me up with a blind date with a man, my daughter playfully chose a blind date with a book.
Having finished my first literary blind date, I nudged my daughter for a return trip to Books for Less (as if we needed an excuse, given our weekly visits). Yes, I was on a hunt for a new blind date—with a book.
Arriving at Books for Less after another session at Marie France, we were greeted by a basket brimming with freshly wrapped blind dates. One by one, my daughter read the penned descriptions aloud, searching for the best fit. This time, I made sure to save the description for this very blog:
Two best friends. One dream holiday.
THE PERFECT MURDER?
– possibly the first pair of female leads
– every suspense lover’s dream
– suspenseful, surprising, compelling
– mind-blowing twists
– a terrific thriller
With eager hands, she grabbed it, along with a copy of Dan Brown’s “Deception Point.”
But this time, the unwrapping was different. Unlike the frantic unwrapping in a Grab car of the first blind date, I took my sweet time at home, carefully photographing it because, well, I had to write this blog (OMG!). Back home, I carefully unfurled the wrapper, making sure not to rip it, and right there—like a man moving a bouquet aside to reveal his face—appeared the big, bold, all caps title: “We Were Never Here” by Andrea Bartz.
Well, hello “We Were Never Here”, I am ready for our date. I can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store for me.
And so began round two of my unique dating adventure, filled with all the thrill and anticipation of the unknown.
Get a Blind Date with a Book!
Well, I don’t know if it’s the book lover in me that got me drawn to Books for Less’ “Blind Date with a Book” concept. Perhaps it’s just that ever-curious child within me. But the concept is undeniably special and engaging. I know every book lover can relate to the anticipation of finally getting a hold of a book you’ve been waiting to be released. It’s that same level of excitement, but this time, the thrill comes from not knowing what you’ll end up getting. It’s like receiving Christmas presents, except better because I know it’s a book!
Sure, there’s a risk involved. You might end up spending money on something you won’t read. But hey, many of us have spent money dating people we didn’t end up with (there’s no forever, bwahaha). You can always gift the book to someone who might enjoy it.
This concept adds an extra layer of fun to the usual book shopping experience. It’s a way of transforming the mundane into something mysterious and delightful. The simple act of choosing a book becomes a treasure hunt, and unwrapping it feels like a personal discovery.
Moreover, “Blind Date with a Book” might inspire others to step out of their comfort zones and try new genres or authors. It’s an opportunity to take a chance on something unexpected, to be surprised and perhaps find a hidden gem.
I encourage every book lover (even those just starting to explore the joy of paperbacks) to try this unique experience. It’s a delightful twist on the traditional reading adventure, an invitation to embrace the unknown, and a gentle reminder that sometimes, the best things come wrapped in mystery.
It’s not just a date with a book—it’s a celebration of curiosity, adventure, and the timeless pleasure of reading. So why not take a chance on a blind date? You might just find a story to fall in love with.
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