Dates for Book Lovers
The book lover is a special human being who enjoys not only the written word itself, but also the swishing sound of the page; the dusty smell of the spine-filled store. You know who you are. And if you are lucky enough to find a fellow book lover to share your time with, you are bound to have an incredible day! (That is, unless one of you is into Hemmingway and the other is into Plath; then it might be a heated argument kind of day. Still, could be fun.)
Here are a few ideas for a book-based date, first or otherwise…
Browse a book shop. Most book lovers will tell you that this is a day well spent, particularly if it’s in a local independent store that has some real culture and its own book smell. As much as I miss Borders dearly, it never did really carry this unique smell or the feeling that comes with it. These stores often have mounds of books; in my favorite local store, for example, the owner knows where everything is, though it looks like there’s nothing but stacks and piles of books everywhere! Ahh, to be surrounded by that all day… Sheer bliss, no?
Attend a book reading. See if an author in your area is hosting one anytime soon; if not, request an event at your library. Many libraries are often eager to host book signings and will try to fulfill your request.
Listen to a book on tape together. This can be so much fun! Just pop in the CD and lean back in some dim lighting—perhaps your car, or if you are comfortable with it, in one of your homes—and listen to the story. If your fingers find one another during a particularly tense scene, all the better.
Read a book aloud together. This is one of the most romantic things to do in the world; it’s among my top ten romantic dates, for sure. Take turns reading chapters, and be sure to have plenty to drink just in case your voices get hoarse. As for choosing the book (this goes with the book on tape as well), pick something you’ve both either never heard—or that you absolutely love—and that you are both interested in. Hopefully there will be more time down the road for even more books aloud that you can take turns choosing.