10/24/2025
BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK INTRO & FAQ
I am very excited to announce that our Blind Date with a Book mystery bundles will be available for purchase at the Artisantique store for the Fall/Winter 2025-2026 Season! Since introducing these bundles at Koy’s Cove, they have undergone a significant glow-up and include a few new goodies for readers. To kick off the season, we’d like to answer some frequently asked questions about these products:
Q: What is a “Blind Date with a Book”?
A: A “Blind Date with a Book” is a concept where a book’s title and cover are hidden so the reader does not know which book they’ve chosen until they unwrap it! For our blind books, we include a slip of paper that outlines the hidden novel’s genres/themes, trigger warnings, and rating. This allows readers to discover authors, genres, and stories they might not have otherwise picked, or in other words, it allows readers to not judge a book by its cover.
Q: What comes with the bundle?
A: Each bundle includes: one sanitized pre-loved book, two sets of sticky tabs, and an interactive cardstock bookmark. Each book is wrapped with care and features a pocket perfect for filling with reading date essentials like tea bags, facemasks, highlighters, stickers, sweet treats, or a handwritten note for the recipient.
Q: Where do you get the books?
A: We get our books from all over! Thrift stores, garage sales, book exchanges, and friends and family are among the places we search. We only have one requirement: it must be second-hand. This often means that books come to us well-loved. Before your date, we take the time to get these books into their best condition by erasing any marks, ironing pages flat, removing gunk, and mending any breaks (to the best of our ability). Any books we sell that are below a “Like New” or “Very Good” cosmetic condition are discounted accordingly.
Q: How are the books cleaned?
A: All of our books go through a 3-stage cleaning process before being wrapped for sale. Stage 1 involved physical/mechanical cleaning (i.e., erasing pen marks, ironing page creases, sanding page edges, removing stickers, etc). In Stage 2, the books are cleaned using chemical disinfectants and cleansers (i.e., bleach, sticker remover, vinegar, etc.). Finally, during Stage 3, the books are sealed in plastic bags and frozen for 24-48 hours. By following this process, we aim to breathe life into used products and deliver you stories free from dirt, germs, pests, and mould.
Q: What if I don’t like the book?
A: We do our best to ensure that the bundle you choose will include a book that you will enjoy. We do this by 1) only offering books that have a ⅘ star rating or higher on at least 2 book rating platforms, and 2) labelling each book with relevant tags and trigger warnings generated by other readers. If you’re still unsure (or just don't like a mystery), each book’s ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is printed on the back of the bundle so readers can reveal the book’s title and author without unwrapping. All purchases are final. However, please reach out to us via messenger or at [email protected] with any post-purchase feedback or concerns. Finally, readers are encouraged to donate any books they no longer want. Good places to donate books include: community libraries (such as public libraries or libraries within schools, live-in facilities, and community centers), local book-sharing boxes, and thrift stores.
