A easy-to-implement, nearly-free, must-steal idea for libraries and bookstores everywhere: Blind Date with a Book

On Thursday I had the honor of speaking to a large and enthusiastic audience at the Townsend Public Library in Townsend, Massachusetts. MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND was chosen for their annual One Book One Town event, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled. I spent the first hour talking about the craft and business of writing and the second hour discussing the book. There were so many questions from the audience that the lights literally went out before we were finished.

The library is beautiful and the staff is knowledgeable, down-to-earth and incredibly passionate about books.

While strolling through the aisles before the event, I stumbled upon this ingenious means of promoting books that I think every library  and bookstore should steal immediately:

Blind Date with a Book.

Books are wrapped in colorful wrapping paper, adorned with clues about the book, and left on the shelf for patrons to check out as a surprise read.

In addition to providing library patrons with the occasional surprise read, these books would make for great gifts in a bookstore. They come already wrapped in the event the buyer is in a rush (which I always am), and there is an added layer of mystery and suspense that makes the gift unique and a little more fun and interesting for both the giver and the receiver.