On Thursday, February 12, 2026, the Institute for the Humanities Public Humanities Interns invited students of the university to our Blind Date Book Swap, a cozy evening devoted to sharing the joy of reading and discovering new stories. Guests arrived and began wrapping the books they brought while enjoying sweet treats from Luca Pastry.
The evening began with a warm welcome and a brief introduction to the festivities, emphasizing the event’s focus on connecting through books and conversation. Attendees selected their wrapping supplies, creatively disguised their books, and wrote thoughtful blurbs to hint at why the recipient might enjoy their pick.
After the wrapping was complete, attendees placed their books on the swap table and enjoyed refreshments while browsing the array of new reads. As each participant selected a new, unknown book to take home, lively discussion followed; favorites were shared, recommendations exchanged, and conversations sparked around genres, authors, and literary moments that left a lasting impression.
The night concluded as participants departed with a fresh book to explore and a handful of new connections. Blind Date Book Swap offered a welcoming space where stories were celebrated, perspectives broadened, and community formed around a shared love of literature.
