Speed Dating for Book Lovers

from Shelf Awareness

For the second year in a row, the Strand Book Store in New York City will help single book lovers find the perfect date for Valentine's Day. On February 6, the Strand will host Queer Ladies Speed Dating, followed a day later by Valentine's Day Speed Dating.
Both events will be held in the rare books room and feature colorful MCs, raffles with prizes donated by local businesses and catering provided by local bakeries, along with copious amounts of champagne. Prohibition Bakery, "New York City's original alcoholic cupcake company," will provide food for Queer Ladies Speed Dating, while Billy's Bakery of Chelsea will cater the February 7 event.

Participants pay $25, receive an ID number and raffle tickets, along with a booklet containing question prompts and score sheets. At the end of the night, the Strand staff will collect the score sheets and match up the participants, and shortly thereafter let people know their matches.

"Given the location, there will be a lot of talk about literature," said Lizzy Selzer, head of events and marketing at the Strand, "and people are encouraged to bring their favorite books."

The Strand held its first speed dating event for Valentine's Day last year, and did the first Queer Ladies Speed Dating during Pride week last June. Both events went extremely well, Selzer said, and, assuming an equally strong reaction to these two upcoming events, the Strand plans to hold at least two more during the year. "One will probably be around Pride, and then either later in the summer or in the fall," she said. "The choice for that one is between tourists and college students." --Alex Mutter