Does Waterstones do blind date with a book?

I was reticent at first, given I could get anything, but it turned out really well! Basically, you buy a present, wrapped up, same price as a regular book, and you read what you buy. Well, I unwrapped: A Death in the Family: My Struggle 1 by Karl Ove Knausgård. Before unwrapping it, I'd joked to my SO that they should put in very controversial books like Mein Kampf, and then ironically (or do I mean coincidentally?) I managed to get a book called My Struggle (even worse in the original Norwegian, Min Kamp). I was very downtrodden. "Jesus, it's about death, it's called My Struggle, this is going to be a slog of a read". And yet... I'm absolutely loving it! Turns out it's part of a series (hence the number in the title), and I've been fascinated by every page! Started digging deeper and learned Knausgård is a household name in Norway (apparently) but not so much anywhere else. Any Knausgård fans here? Alternatively, anyone ever bought a book by random and ended up with something they loved?

Edit: So glad to see all the happy blind daters here! I have been trying to reply to as many comments as I can, but I need to sleep before work tomorrow. Thank you everyone for making my night! I wish you all happy reading. :)

Edit 2: Just searching for interviews with Knausgård before I went to bed and I found a review by the amazing and totally undersubscribed channel Better than Food: Book Reviews, which must have slipped under my radar. Here it is, if anyone is interested: https://youtu.be/uXo3nZIpSNU

Derry's Waterstones store is inviting readers to have a different kind of blind date this Valentines Day.

In this creative initiative, readers choose a covered up book with its genre and general descriptions written on the front to help the reader decide which book they would like to take.

The reader will not know which book they have chosen until they unwrap the book after their purchase.

In a social media post, Waterstones Foyleside said: "Why not go on a blind date with a book this Valentine’s Day?

"These mystery books were chosen with care by our booksellers and are now on display on the pillar by the tills!"

Genres include fiction, poetry, young adult, fantasy, sci-fi and crime, to suit readers of all preferences.

Some hints to help the reader decide which book they would like to choose include 'modern classic', 'psychological thriller', 'light hearted romance', 'Greek mythology', 'LGBT romance' and 'murder mystery'.

Above the books a sign reads: "roses are red, violets are blue, there's a book out there made for you!"

Does Waterstones do blind date with a book?

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This unique twist is perfect for those searching for a new read, or those who want to broaden their literary horizons and are unsure where to start.

Waterstones Foyleside has become a welcome addition to the shopping centre, particularly since the closure of the much-loved Easons store.

This creative twist on a 'blind date' is the perfect chance to pick up a book that you may never have chosen before, and Waterstones are creating a fun way of celebrating Valentines Day for those who want to step away from the clichés.

For more Derry news, visit our new site MyDerry.

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BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK

A gift wrapped mystery book with a delicious bar of chocolate and a stash of fine tea bags.

Choose from Feel Good Fiction, Crime & Thriller, Historical Fiction & Sci-Fi / Fantasy.

£15 each

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How does blind date with a book work?

A perfect premise for Valentine's Day, the set-up for the display is simple: just wrap books in paper to hide their covers — hence the "blind date" — and decorate the wrapping with enticing facts, hints about the plotline, or our favorite, the books' first lines.

Do Waterstones sell second hand books?

Our Second Hand Department contains our most recent rare acquisitions and collections of antique books alongside an impressively stocked Art and Design department.