Here’s an idea: Literary speed dating
We have a perennial shortage of shelf space. Dating another reader would only compound the problem, so maybe what we need is an eligible carpenter.
* * * * *
You are sitting on a train, and across the aisle someone is reading one of your favourite books.
This person (clearly of taste) happens to be a tall, handsome man. As you stare he looks up, catches your eye and smiles – he asks for your number… Browsing in a bookshop you reach out to pick up a book; so does the person standing next to you. The person happens to be a tall, handsome man. He catches your eye and smiles – he asks if you would like to go for coffee… So run the fantasies of many a book-lover.
Which is why Literary speed-dating is such an exciting prospect for a bookish single. The conceit is that, rather than talk about yourself, you talk about a book you have brought along…
Read Is this how to start a new chapter in your love life? by Miranda Kiek in The Independent.
Tell you what: If 50 people sign up in Comments, we’ll organize a literary speed-dating event.
Update: If 50 interested parties sign up in Comments by 11.59 pm on Wednesday 14 March 2012. We’re getting some interest from venue sponsors so just keep signing up.
P.S. Think of this as a fun activity where you get to talk about books, not as the occasion where you will meet your destiny. The pressure!
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
March 13th, 2012 at 08:09
I’m happily married. However, I’m all for your speed idea dating. My husband introduced me to a lot of writers and other genres I would not have bothered with. It’s all good to use literature as “deux machina.” The prose deities would all be for that.
March 13th, 2012 at 08:09
Great idea! I’m married though so I can’t join. I don’t want to open myself up to the possibility of meeting the one I should have married.
March 13th, 2012 at 08:46
sign me up.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:53
hala — that is a fantasy of mine. literary speed dating, interesting. sige nga.
March 13th, 2012 at 12:23
Wow! This is a nice idea. I admit that I haven’t read the full article yet, but please count me in.
March 13th, 2012 at 22:39
Kissing in Manhattan-esque?
March 13th, 2012 at 23:06
Game.
March 14th, 2012 at 07:34
Malaking check gamit ang pink na ballpen na may glitters at bonggang feathers sa dulo. I don’t do dates anymore, pero I support most anything that’s literary. If this turns out well then I will be going for the chips. And maybe point and make fun and laugh in secret… ohh this will be devilish!
Muahness from Pasig Cirehhh!
March 14th, 2012 at 08:52
Oh yes, do sign me up! :)
March 14th, 2012 at 09:10
sign me up
March 14th, 2012 at 10:25
In my next lifetime as a single male, I’ll join your speed-dating event. For now, I wish you success and great fun :-)
March 14th, 2012 at 10:48
I will date anyone who will read the seven volumes of Remembrance of Things Past with me.
March 14th, 2012 at 11:09
count me in :)
March 14th, 2012 at 13:14
Seems interesting! Game!
March 14th, 2012 at 14:41
in reality though, the tall, handsome guy that’s reading the book is no less than into guys himself.
nevertheless, the speed-dating idea is great, having someone to share the mental pictures you’ve created after reading a book is just so exciting.
March 14th, 2012 at 14:47
I’m in :)
March 14th, 2012 at 15:38
count me in.
March 14th, 2012 at 15:41
Let’s go! :-)
March 14th, 2012 at 15:56
Me too~
March 14th, 2012 at 16:32
I’m in. Let’s do this! =)
March 14th, 2012 at 18:25
Sali ako!
March 14th, 2012 at 19:15
possibilities of a good book and a good man.
game! ;)
March 14th, 2012 at 21:24
Oh, hell, count me in! Never mind that I don’t usually have luck with dating in general, but if it means good books and new friends, then I’m up for it.
Speaking of dating and books, I’ve been reading Much Ado about Loving – it’s basically a “relationship” book with romantic advice based on characters from literary works, from The Brothers Karamazov to Infinite Jest. Interesting stuff.
March 14th, 2012 at 22:09
Allez-y!
March 14th, 2012 at 23:23
The thing is, that never happened to me at the Main Lib, someone looking up, catching my eye, etc, no matter if it was Poe or Waugh. Buti na lang may nabingwit pa rin ako–via clouds, not books.
(I hope we really get to 50 comments. Two friends of mine might want to join.)
March 15th, 2012 at 07:07
I’m not single and I’m late signing up, so I can’t join, yes? But if your heart is kind and ‘cheating’ for the sake of books is encouraged, I would love to join!
I’ve just read Italo Calvino’s If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler and I’m inspired. Hehe.
March 15th, 2012 at 10:31
walang extension ang deadline?
March 15th, 2012 at 23:48
oh please, extend the deadline… this sounds exciting. ^__^
March 18th, 2012 at 05:29
I would like to join this! If I’m not too late.
March 22nd, 2012 at 01:03
Pang straight people lang ba ‘to?
March 22nd, 2012 at 22:46
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Hindi.
April 3rd, 2012 at 15:31
Sounds cool and fun :)