What Is Blind Date With a Book? A Gift Idea for Book Lovers Who Have Everything

Blind date with a book is the perfect gift for book lovers who have everything. It's a wrapped surprise book chosen by genre or reading mood, with clues to help you choose. The title stays hidden until it's opened, making the whole experience feel more exciting than just adding another paperback to the shelf.

At Clare Makes, our blind date with a book options are designed to feel like a small reading experience, not just a wrapped book. They're thoughtful, playful, and perfect for anyone who loves a cosy night in.

What is a blind date with a book?

A blind date with a book is exactly what it sounds like. It's a surprise book wrapped so the title and cover are hidden, with a few clues to help you choose.

The concept is simple. You pick based on the genre, mood, or hints provided. Then you unwrap your book when it arrives. No spoilers, no overthinking, just discovery.

It takes away the usual pressure of choosing a book by the cover, the author, the reviews, or the bestseller sticker. Instead, it brings back curiosity. You're choosing a reading experience rather than a specific title.

This makes it a great option for readers who want to try something different. It's also perfect for people stuck in a reading slump or anyone who enjoys the fun of a surprise.

How does blind date with a book work at Clare Makes?

At Clare Makes, you can choose between a new book or a second hand book option.

A new blind date with a book costs $35, while a second hand option is $25. Both are wrapped and selected to create a thoughtful surprise reading experience.

Each book includes extras to make it feel special. You'll get the book itself, a Clare Makes greeting card, stickers, and a tea sachet. Perfect to pair with your favourite Clare Makes candle for the cosiest night in.

You can choose from available genres or themes, but the exact book stays a surprise until you open it. That surprise is the whole point.

Why blind date with a book makes a good gift

Book lovers can be difficult to buy for. They often already know what they like. They may have favourite authors, favourite genres, and a growing stack of books waiting to be read.

A blind date with a book makes gifting easier because you don't need to know every book they already own. Choose a genre or theme that suits them, then let the surprise do the rest.

It feels more personal than a book voucher but less risky than choosing a specific title yourself. It also feels more considered than a standard gift because discovery is built in.

It's a great gift idea for birthdays, thank you gifts, teacher gifts, care packages, or Christmas. It also works beautifully as a gift for yourself. No occasion required.

Who is blind date with a book best for?

A blind date with a book is best suited to people who enjoy books, surprises, and ceremony around reading.

It's a good choice for avid readers who want something different. It's also lovely for people trying to read more but feeling overwhelmed by too many choices.

It suits friends who love a cosy night in, mums needing quiet time, sisters, aunties, teachers, and work friends. Anyone who likes gifts with personality will appreciate it.

It's also fun for readers who usually choose the same kind of book repeatedly. Sometimes a surprise is the nudge you need to try something new.

New book or second hand book?

Both options have their place.

Choose a new book if you want something fresh, gift-ready, and free from signs of previous use. This is ideal if you're sending it directly to someone as a birthday gift or special treat.

Choose a second hand book if you love giving a book another life. It's also a lower-priced option at $25, perfect for readers who enjoy preloved finds and don't mind character marks.

Second hand books may have signs of wear. You might find softened corners, light creasing, marks, folded pages, or small imperfections. That's part of buying preloved. The story inside is still the main event, but expect a second hand book rather than a perfect new copy.

Why is a candle business selling books?

It might seem unexpected at first, but a blind date with a book fits naturally into the world of Clare Makes.

Clare Makes has always been about scent, story, and small moments at home. Our candles, diffusers and room sprays help make everyday spaces feel more thoughtful and comforting.

Reading has that same feeling. A good book isn't just about the pages. It's about where you read it, what the room feels like, the cup of tea beside you, the candle burning nearby, and the time you've carved out for yourself.

A blind date with a book is another way to create that feeling. It's a quiet night in, a little curiosity, and a reason to slow down.

Pair it with an Australian botanical candle, a tea light sampler or a room spray, and you have a complete cosy night in.

How to make the most of your blind date with a book

Part of the fun is not rushing it.

Read the clues first. Try to guess what the book might be before opening it. Make a cup of tea. Light a candle. Put your phone somewhere out of reach.

Then unwrap the book and give yourself permission to read the first chapter without checking reviews or overthinking it. You might discover a new favourite. You might read something you'd never have chosen yourself.

Either way, that's part of the experience. When finished, you can pass the book on, lend it to a friend, or keep it as a reminder of a good little surprise.

Frequently asked questions about blind date with a book

Can I choose the exact book?

No. The surprise is part of the experience. You can choose from available genres or themes, but the exact title remains hidden until you unwrap it.

Can I choose the genre?

Yes, depending on options available at the time. Genre and theme options may change as books are added or sold.

Are the books new or second hand?

You can choose either. New books are $35 and second hand books are $25.

Are second hand books in perfect condition?

No. Second hand books show signs of previous use. You may find creases, marks, softened corners, small tears, or folded pages. They're selected with care, but they're not brand new.

Can I return or exchange the book?

No. Because blind date with a book is a curated surprise product, all sales are final unless there's a genuine fault. We can't offer returns or exchanges based on personal preference.

Can I send it as a gift?

Yes. A blind date with a book makes a lovely gift, especially for readers who are hard to buy for. The included greeting card makes it easy to send directly to someone.

Get your blind date with a book today

A blind date with a book is more than just another book. It's a small experience built around curiosity, surprise, and slowing down.

It's for the reader with a towering to-be-read pile. It's for the friend who loves a cosy night in. It's for anyone who wants to read more but never knows where to start. It's also for people who like choosing a book without knowing exactly where it will take them.

Browse our blind date with a book options and choose your next surprise read. Pair one with a Clare Makes candle for the cosiest night in.