Brussels has Manneken Pis. Paris has the Eiffel Tower. Maastricht has something far more dangerous. A table full of mysterious books wrapped in brown paper. The boekhandel Dominicanen invites you to go on a blind date with a book. It is cheaper than dinner. It is quieter than a real date. And it will not ghost you. Probably.

A curious idea in a stunning bookshop

The boekhandel Dominicanen is already a dramatic place. It is a bookshop inside a former church. You walk in and feel like you should whisper. Then you see a table full of gift wrapped books and realise that this is not a normal bookshop. This is a bookshop that wants you to take risks. Literary risks. The safest kind.

The concept is simple. You pick a book without knowing what it is. It is like choosing a partner based on their wrapping paper. At least the book will not complain about your reading habits.

How the blind date works

The shop explains the rules in three steps. They are very clear. They are also slightly romantic. Or at least they try.

First you choose a blind date. You look at the wrapped books and take a chance. Maybe you will meet your next favourite book. Maybe you will meet something that will sit on your shelf for the next five years. That is the thrill. The price is 8.95 euros which is definitely cheaper than a real date.

Then you take your date to the checkout. This is the least mysterious part. You pay. The book does not pay. Books never pay.

Finally you enjoy. Once you have checked out your date the mystery is over. You unwrap it. You discover what you have committed to. You hope it is not a 900 page biography of a man who collected spoons.

A pure excitement

People enjoy surprises. As long as they are not tax related. A blind date with a book gives you a small adventure. You do not judge the book by its cover because you cannot see the cover. You trust fate. Or at least the taste of the person who wrapped it.

It is also a clever way to get readers to try something new. Many people read the same authors again and again. This forces you to step outside your comfort zone. Gently. With brown paper.

A charming idea in a charming city

Maastricht is known for its cosy streets and its relaxed atmosphere. A blind date with a book fits perfectly. It is playful. It is cultural. It is slightly absurd. In other words it is very Dutch.