Novel way of matchmaking comes to Edinburgh

Ahead of Valentine's Day, one city business woman is offering literary buffs a speed-dating evening with a difference. 

Vanessa Robertson, owner of The Edinburgh Bookshop, plans to bring love seeking book lovers together for a speed dating event next week.

Ms Robertson spoke to The Journal: “Edinburgh is a city full of enthusiastic and knowledgeable readers and we wanted to have a fun evening when people could chat about their favourite books. As it’s nearing Valentine’s Day, we thought: why not make it a dating event?”

Possibly the first of its kind in Scotland and even the UK, the event is based on the idea of using books as an ice breaker in order to meet like-minded people.

Ms Robertson proposes that meeting people to talk about books is a fine way to begin a relationship as it allows you to gauge whether you have things in common before you go on that first date, and should conversation dry up then there is more talk of books to rely on.

Thinking of the event as a chance to discuss your favourite novels, rather than as a speed-dating event, may make it a less daunting prospect.

Those taking part will have two or three minutes to talk to each person about their favourite book and can tick the names of the individuals they would like to get to know better. The lists will be compared and compatible couples will be put in touch with one another.

Events Coordinator, Becky Hearne, is looking forward to her forthcoming role as Cupid: “We’re excited about matching people up, but we’re actually more enthused about thirty people talking about their favourite book. We want The Edinburgh Bookshop to be a community bookshop; we’ve got three successful book groups and we wanted to do something else along these lines.”