⏱ 9 min read

The bookstore date idea wasn’t even planned. I didn’t wake up thinking, “Today is the day we stroll through aisles of unread books pretending we’re intellectuals.”
But here’s the twist sometimes the best dates come from the most unexpected detours.

So yes, the bookstore date idea was a complete accident. And it turned into one of the most meaningful conversations we’ve had.

Let me tell you the full story and why even if you’re not into books, or your partner isn’t into books, you should try this date at least once.

Why a Bookstore Date Idea Works (Even If You’re Not a Reader)

Before I tell you what actually happened, I need to make something clear:

He is not a book person.
Like… at all.

This is a man who reads captions on Instagram reels with full concentration but will skip a book even if a million-dollar cheque is hidden on page 43.

And me? I’m a mood reader. I read in waves one month devouring everything, the next month completely forgetting books exist. But bookstores? I love them. Something about that quiet world of stories stacked in alphabetical shelves makes me feel grounded.

So dragging a non-reader into a bookstore?
I thought I was setting myself up for a “5 minutes and he’ll be bored” situation.

But what happened… oh, you’ll see.

How We Ended Up on This Bookstore Date

We had just reached the restaurant we wanted to try, only to be told there was a 20-minute wait. So instead of standing awkwardly near the entrance pretending to read the menu board for the fifth time, we decided to stroll around a bit.

Two stores were right next to each other: Crossword and Hamleys.
And listen… I love both.
Hamleys is my inner child’s playground, and Crossword is my comfort corner. But in my head, I was so sure he wouldn’t enjoy Crossword. He isn’t a “books and stationery aisle” kind of person.

But before I could even suggest Hamleys, he looked straight at Crossword and said,
“Let’s go here.”

That one small moment?
That’s what started everything.

Read: How to develop Reading Habit?

What Happens When Two Non-Book People Walk Into a Bookstore

The funny thing about a bookstore date idea is this:

You don’t have to read books to enjoy it.
You just have to be curious.

And we were.

We didn’t pick up books to read them.

We picked them up to talk about them.

That’s the beauty of a bookstore every title becomes a conversation starter.

“Why is this book titled ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck’*?”
“Why do all romance novels have the same pastel covers now?”

We were literally walking around, picking books based purely on their titles and trying to guess what they were about.
(Zero expertise. 10/10 confidence.)

The Moment That Shifted Everything

And then it happened.

We reached the philosophy section.

And my eyes landed on a book about Stoicism.

If you know me, you know I’ve always been drawn to the idea of Stoicism not because I’m some deep thinker, but because the calmness of the ideology fascinates me.
A life where emotions don’t control you?
A mind that stays centered no matter what?

Sign me up.

I picked up the book and casually said, “This ideology fascinates me so much.”

And that’s when he surprised me.

He shared his perspective a raw, honest, different take on it. Not based on reading, not based on quotes, but based on real-life experiences.

We weren’t reading the book…
We were talking through it.

Suddenly, the bookstore wasn’t about books anymore.
It became a window into how both of us see the world differently, yet connected.

Why Conversations Hit Different in a Bookstore

Let me explain something magical about this space.

A bookstore is…

• Quiet, so your thoughts get louder.
• Neutral, which makes conversations feel easier.
• Full of ideas, which act like prompts.
• Low-pressure, unlike coffee dates where you feel watched.

And honestly?

Talking while walking feels more natural than talking while sitting face-to-face under overhead lighting (why is café lighting always so dramatic?).

When you’re surrounded by 10,000 stories, something inside you feels safe to express your own.

So here’s what I learned that day:

You don’t need to love books.

You just need to love moments that make you think.

And bookstores? They’re full of those.

What We Talked About

The books became catalysts.

We opened random books, read the first line, laughed.
We judged books by their covers.
We admired beautiful covers like they were pieces of art.
We talked about happiness, self-esteem, confidence, and historical books.

It was one of those conversations where time dissolves.

We didn’t agree on everything.
We didn’t have to.

We just listened and shared and that’s what made it so special.

Interrupting the blog to ask: Would you go on a date like this?

Why the Bookstore Date Idea Works for EVERY Couple

You can go on this date even if:

• You’re a reader and they’re not
• They’re a reader and you’re not
• Neither of you read
• Both of you read (congrats, nerd couple)

Here’s why it works universally:

1. Books Trigger Themes

Love, money, philosophy, work, ambition, mental health, travel…
A single bookstore aisle can trigger 50 different directions of conversation.

2. No Awkward Pressure

You’re walking around, browsing, so the conversation flows naturally.

3. A Perfect “Slow” Date

In a world of fast dating and fast disappointment, a bookstore date feels grounding.

4. You Discover New Sides of Each Other

What genres attract them?
What topics make them curious?
What titles make them laugh?
What beliefs do they hold?

It’s not about the books.
It’s about the reactions.

5. It Costs Almost Nothing

You can buy a book or buy nothing.
The experience itself is priceless.

What Bookstore Date Taught Me

I realised something incredibly simple yet profound:

The right person doesn’t need to share your interests.

They just need to share your curiosity.

He didn’t need to love books.
He just needed to love exploring the moment with me.

And that’s the beauty of the bookstore date idea it isn’t about the books, it’s about the connection the books create.

Personal Takeaway

If you ever get the chance to visit a bookstore with someone a partner, a friend, or even a casual date take it. Trust me on this.
A random stroll in a bookstore can teach you more about someone than 50 hours of texting ever could.

That day taught me something I’ll never forget:

The smallest places can hold the biggest conversations.

And yes… the bookstore date idea?
It’s now one of my absolute favourites.

Share this Post