How I Hosted My First Blind Date with a Book Swap Picnic (and Why It Made Perfect Sense in My 30s)
I’m the kind of person who, when I don’t see the kind of event I want to attend...I just make it happen. Because if we’ve learned anything about friendship in our 30s, it’s that community doesn’t build itself. Between work, distance, and busy schedules, it takes intention to create those cozy, fulfilling moments that make life feel rich again.
That’s exactly why I decided to host my first Blind Date with a Book Swap Picnic–a cozy, bookish morning in Pasadena where friends (old and new) came together to swap stories, share food, and fall in love with new reads..
The morning was warmer than typical for mid-November–about 85°, which felt like 100° if we’re being real–but everything fell into place beautifully. I found a shaded spot at one of my favorite local parks, spread out blankets and lawn chairs, set up a little book table, and soon, friends began arriving with wrapped books in hand. What started as a small idea turned into one of my favorite mornings of the year–a cozy book-lover event that combined my love of books, friendship, and fall sunshine.
Why I Did It
There were a lot of reasons I wanted to host this kind of book swap picnic. I’m deeply part of the bookish community on YouTube and TikTok, and I love seeing all the creative book events people host. However, many are out of state, or even when they’re local, they’re far from where I live in Los Angeles. I wanted to bring something like that here, for me, for my friends, and for the local bookish community in LA (hopefully one day!)
Hosting events has always been part of who I am. From Girl Scouts and college programs to weekend get-togethers, event hosting is kind of my love language. So instead of waiting for someone else to create the type of event I wanted to attend, I decided to do it myself.
And maybe the biggest reason: entering my 30s has changed the way I look at connection. My friends are also in their 30s or fast-approaching them, and we’re all at this phase where we want more than just dinners out. Adult friendships take effort, and meaningful community in your 30s doesn’t just happen by chance–it’s built with intention. This little picnic became my way of creating the kind of space I wanted to see more of: relaxed, cozy, and community-driven.
The Setup: Cozy, Simple, and Bookish
I chose a park in Pasadena–a neutral, familiar location that felt welcoming and calm. I arrived at 10 a.m. with a good friend to set up, and the event ran from 11 to about 1:30 p.m. I kept things simple and budget-friendly: picnic blankets, a few chairs, a small umbrella for shade, a park table for snacks, and a mini picnic table for the book display.
My friends each brought something to share–charcuterie boards, baked goods, coffee, soda–which made it feel like a true community potluck. We found a shaded spot with a picnic table for the food and laid out the wrapped books on the smaller table.
The layout of the day was intentionally easy:
Arrive & mingle → fill out your date card → share your book pitch → browse & choose → unwrap together → linger & chat.
It created a rhythm that felt effortless, inviting both deep connection and casual conversation. It was part book event, part cozy Sunday hangout, and part friend hang.
The Book Swap Experience
The swap itself turned out even better than I imagined. Everyone brought something completely different, from contemporary fiction and spicy romance to classic literature, holiday reads, and even books that had been turned into movies or TV shows. You can tell a lot about a person by the book they choose to share, what story resonated with them, and what they hope someone else will take away from it. That made each “blind date” feel personal and full of heart.
When people read their date cards aloud, the reactions were full of laughter and delight. Everyone was so engaged, and when it came time to unwrap, each person ended up with something they had never read before–sometimes even a genre they had never tried.
I brought Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzama Jalaluddin & Marissa Stapley, a charming holiday romance that’s cozy, funny, and full of heart. I chose it because I love reading seasonally, and it’s one of my favorite cozy book club picks. With the holidays around the corner, it just felt right. The friend who helped me set up this picnic actually was the one who ended up choosing it, which was perfect since she loves a cute Christmas read.
My favorite part of this event was seeing the mix of readers who showed up. One of my friends teaches AP English and devours books constantly, while another hadn’t finished a “just for fun” read in years. We sat under the trees talking about stories, the kinds of books that shaped us, and what we love to read. The conversations felt natural and nostalgic, a real book-lover moment that reminded me why I’ve always loved bringing people together.
What I Learned About Community in My 30s
This event reaffirmed something I’ve been learning lately: community doesn’t happen by accident. You have to build it.
Planning this picnic meant coordinating schedules across Los Angeles, the Valley, and the Inland Empire, which was no small feat. But it was worth every message and every mile. Adult friendships take effort, but the reward is a sense of belonging that makes life feel richer and more grounded.
If you’re the friend who gathers, lean into it. Being the host isn’t just about planning. It’s love in action. It’s creating a cozy, intentional space where people can show up as themselves. And honestly, that’s everything.
The friends who came to this picnic are people I’m proud to call my community. They’re the ones who bring snacks, help set up & clean up, and stay late to chat. They remind me that connection can be simple and beautiful when you give people a reason to show up.
How You Can Host Your Own Blind Date with a Book Swap Picnic
Want to create your own bookish community moment? Here’s how to host your own cozy Blind Date with a Book Swap Picnic:
Invite a few book-loving friends (or soon-to-be friends).
Have everyone bring one book they’ve read and loved–new, used, or annotated is all fair game.
Wrap the book and bring blank date cards for each person to fill out at the event.
Bring the cozy setup: blankets, chairs, snacks, and a few shaded spots.
Follow a relaxed flow: mingle, write cards, pitch books, browse, and unwrap.
End with connection: chat about your picks, recommend reads, or plan your next swap!
✨ Pro tip: If you want to skip the design part, I made a Blind Date with a Book Swap Date Card Template on Canva that you can grab for FREE by clicking here. Once it opens, make a copy of the design and you’ll be able to edit it and make it your own.
Final Thoughts
That warm November morning reminded me that joy and connection don’t need to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just a few friends, a pile of books, and a sunny patch of grass in Pasadena.
Hosting a Blind Date with a Book Swap Picnic wasn’t just about trading stories–it was about building and fostering the community I’ve always wanted, right here in Los Angeles. I can’t wait to host the next one, and maybe open it up to more local book lovers and cozy readers in our little corner of Southern California.
Until then, may your blankets be cozy, your books surprising, and your Sundays full of good company and intentional living.