In the past few months, I have shared a lot about my love for the 'Blind Date With a Book' concept. I have shared Taylor Swift inspired 'Blind Date With a Book' gifts---which I, of course, gifted to myself. I just love the whole concept of reading a book that someone else (stranger or not) has picked for you, it might sound silly but I just think its so special! Like, 'Here is this piece of literature that I found so beautiful and profound and I want to share that experience with you!', or, 'The main character in this book is so lovely, they reminded me of you', and, 'I enjoyed this book, I hope you will too'.
If you are unfamiliar, a 'Blind Date with a Book' is essentially a curated and wrapped book. The idea is that someone else chooses a book, wraps it up, and someone else (sometimes the reader but in this case, the shop owner) selects the wrapped book to read/gift. I have seen this at Barnes & Noble before, I have seen it on TikTok, and I've even wrapped some books at the library that I volunteer at! Typically, at an in-person retailer/library, the books are labeled with a genre or specific plot points/characteristics that help the reader choose a book that would be better suited to their taste.
After featuring another bookshop, Joselin from Medina Books And Coffee reached out to me on Instagram about sending me one of her 'Blind Date With a Book' boxes, I was thrilled! I love that not only does the box include the 'Blind Date With a Book', but it also includes lots of other fun goodies too. Another thing about me is that I love to get mail. I don't know what it is about mail, but it is so much fun to come home and get to unwrap a package. Somehow, its even more fun when its a cute red box from Medina Books and Coffee!
Medina Books and Coffee
Here is a little bit about the shop and its owner, Joselin, from their website:
'The first book I read was The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, in Spanish. My dad gave that book to me when I was about 10 years old and I've been a lover of stories ever since. Reading this little book on the swing in my grandmother's back yard is one of my childhood core memories. I must have read it from begining to end about a hundred times that summer. Not long after, he introduced me to Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes, and my imagination found its match. I could not only see in the screens of my mind the colorful adventures, but I could feel myself falling in love with this other world where everything was colorful, playful, and possible. It was like dreaming while awake.
This love of reading also got me through the usually difficult cultural transition of coming to live in the United States. When my friends would rush home to watch Telemundo, I would rush to the local library to finish my homework and grab the next paperback romance novel. I would devour these in days, not knowing this not only made the cultural assimilation seamless, but it also improve my vocabulary, and reading and writing skills. English became as natural to speak, read, and write, as Spanish without even trying.
So to honor the love of reading my father inspired in me, and to spread the impact books have had in my life, I plan to create the same environment many independent bookstore create globally in my small community in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. Even if you don't live near by, I hope you'll get inspired by the books you'll find.'
You can follow Medina Books And Coffee on Instagram & Check out the Medina Books And Coffee website/bookshop here!
You guys know that I am a book cover enthusiast, but you may not know that I am a sucker for pretty wrapping! This entire box was put together and wrapped so beautifully. I could tell that Joselin put together this box with a lot of time and care--which was so sweet and very appreciated.
Here are some of the goodies that were included in the box, other than the book:
A stemless stainless steel wine glass, a canvas tote bag, a beach blanket/towel, the cutest bookish stickers, a bookmark, a postcard, and a handwritten thank you note!
...And Here is the Book That was in My Box:
After I unwrapped the box, I discovered that inside was a book called, In Other Words, Love! I didn't currently have this book and hadn't read it, so this was such a welcomed addition to my bookshelf!
In Other Words, Love by Shirley Jump
Romance
She’s been hired to ghostwrite a CEO’s autobiography…Yep, that CEO. The one who broke her heart.
When Kate’s agent gets her the job of writing Trent’s autobiography, she almost balks. The charismatic founder of his own outdoor clothing company dumped her when they were in college. But she needs the money.
Trent’s been so busy lately, he completely forgot he was supposed to be writing a book, and the draft is due soon. He wants Kate as the ghostwriter: she’s experienced, and she was always smart and hard-working. They can keep things professional, right?
In funny and touching ways, the project gives them a fresh perspective on the past, even prompting a road trip to Trent’s hometown that uncovers forgotten feelings. But will they both have the courage to start a new chapter in life?
This book sounds so cute, I can't wait to pick it up! I love this because it allows me to discover books that I may not have picked or been introduced to otherwise! All of my Hallmark romance lovers, this is a book that I definitely think you should have on your list!
Joselin, you are the best---thank you so much for thinking of me!
This box definitely brightened my day and I think it would be the perfect gift for yourself, or for any book lover in your life! Check out Medina Books and Coffee on Instagram or on their website (linked above) to get your own box--or to get one for a friend!
As always, thank you for reading!
XO,
Madison
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