Book Speed Dating or Book Tastings

A literary agency blog I follow shared that an estimated four million books were published last year. FOUR MILLION. How in the world are we to ever determine which books fit our tastes and genre preferences with so many to choose from?! It’s like trying to narrow down what to order from The Cheesecake Factory menu!

While I rely heavily on word-of-mouth in my reader groups—in addition to my penchant to pre-order whatever my go-to, favorite authors are launching— for what novels to read next, I recently stumbled onto another method to choose new reads in an author’s social media post. I did a little digging. Apparently, this tool is frequently used in classroom settings, but it can also help the general reader wade through potential decision fatigue when adding books to a want-to-read list. It’s an intriguing twist on speed dating, aptly named Book Speed Dating.

You probably know the premise of speed dating is to spend a few minutes with different potential love interests to see if any of them are someone you might like to get to know better. The same basic principle applies to book speed dating. You spend a moment looking over the cover and reading a blurb about the book to determine if it’s one you might invest your time in. I’ve never participated in speed dating, but book speed dating is an idea I can get behind!

In very much the same vein, a Book Tasting is just what it sounds like. Think wine or chocolate tasting. You’re sampling each item to determine what you do or don’t like, if it’s “up your alley,” and whether or not you’d like to further indulge in what you’re tasting.

What makes a book tasting or book speed dating different from just cruising the internet reading book descriptions is the more specialized offerings. In a classroom setting, the teacher sets tables with various genres featuring a narrowed selection from each genre. For an online version, the same premise holds. So I decided to give this concept a whirl. Please note today’s post is quite a departure from my normal format, as it features several images.

For our Book Speed Dating/Book Tasting event, I’ve selected three books from five different genres. Each is either a somewhat new release or is dropping soon. Several are part of a series, so I’ve noted that where applicable. Look at each cover, review each description. What are your likes and dislikes about the cover? Does it entice you to pick it up and read it? What about the blurb? Is it interesting enough to pull you in or does anything about the characters grab you?

Christian Contemporary Romance

Indigo Isle, T.I. Lowe

A beauty and the beast, prodigal tale of a Hollywood location scout and a grieving attorney who bond when stranded together during a storm, giving them an opportunity to explore forgiveness, healing, and second chances.

Wildflower Falls, Denise Hunter (Riverbend #4)

Can a ranch owner looking to connect with her secret family and a horse trainer with wanderlust find common ground leading to a future together?

Summer in the Spotlight, Liz Johnson (Prince Edward Island Shores #3)

A talkative drama teacher and a shy school facilities director work together to restore a theater. Will they also find a way to build a life together?

Romantic Suspense

Break of Day, Colleen Coble (Annie Pederson #3)

Lots of twist and turns for a law enforcement officer, her love interest, and her family in this hunted-becomes-the-hunter thriller.

Countdown, Lynnette Eason (Extreme Measures #4)

A flight paramedic’s past has marched back into her present—and it wants to kill her. With a stalker who knows her well determined to end what he started, a US Marshal vows to protect her at all costs—even if it ends his career.

Facing the Enemy, DiAnn Mills

An intricately-plotted romantic suspense thriller featuring an FBI agent on sabbatical seeking justice for her brother with help from her former partner.

Historical Fiction

In Spotlight and Shadow, Rachel Scott McDaniel (Doors to the Past #11)

A dual-timeline adventure featuring relatable leading ladies, swoon-worthy heroes, compelling mystery, and a hopeful future.

A Different Kind of War, Jennifer Purcell (War of the Heart #1)

A fierce protector of her family and a pacifist outsider form a friendship as they work together to accomplish their goals—including proving her innocence of an unspeakable crime—leading to a battle with something more personal at stake than the Civil War that just ended.

Appalachian Song, Michelle Shocklee

A poignant dual timeline tale of adoption, sense of self, found family, and God making beauty from ashes, all set against the backdrop of majestic Appalachia. 

Sweet, Clean RomCom

But He’s My Grumpy Neighbor, Annah Conwell (But He’s a Carter Brother #1)

A grumpy-sunshine romcom between a relationship-adverse former CIA agent and his emotionally scarred neighbor.

Cross-Country Wedding, Courtney Walsh (Road Trip Romance #2)

Sparks fly when a fun-loving free spirit and a buttoned-up professional who is so not her type hit the road for an unconventional cross-country wedding in this sweet, sizzling road trip romance.

How Jenna Became My Dilemma, Kortney Keisel (Famously in Love #2)

A celebrity fake dating closed-door romantic comedy bringing co-starts together with banter, sizzle, and chemistry. 

BONUS:

The entire Sweater Weather 7-book series:

Just Don’t Fall, Emma St. Clair

The Fall Back Plan, Melanie Jacobson

Can’t Help Falling, Courtney Walsh

Faking the Fall, Julie Christianson

Easy as Pie, Carina Taylor

A Not So Fictional Fall, Savannah Scott

Absolutely Not in Love, Jenny Proctor

This multi-author series is set in the same small town and features all the fall vibes. Each full-length novel drops on Thursdays for the next seven weeks starting today!

Biblical Fiction

The Peasant King, Tessa Afshar 

Adventure meets romance in this powerful biblical reimagining set in the Old Testament during the rule of Cyrus the Great.

Voice of the Ancient, Connilyn Cossette (The King’s Men #1)

A coming-of-age story bringing together two young adults on an emotional journey during the time of Israel’s first king.

In Feast or Famine, Mesu Andrews (The Egyptian Chronicles #2)

The masterful reimaging of the life of Asenath—Joseph’s rarely mentioned wife—her upbringing, her surprise marriage, and her faith journey.

Your turn

What books enticed you to add them to your to-be-read list? Have you already read any of these? What do you think of the book speed dating or book tasting concept?