frequently asked questions

what is a blind date with a book?

think of it like a real-life blind date, but instead of a potentially awkward romantic meeting with a stranger ... it's with a book (a far better choice in my opinion). Like a traditional blind date, you're given a little bit of info and the rest is a surprise!

and if that still doesn't make any sense, it's like a lucky dip - a book lucky dip

how does it work?

there are a few ways to play the game...

1. we provide the genre and a few hints about the book to get you started
this is for readers who might read a lot and want to reduce the chance of picking something they have read before or for those who like to play it a little safer

* please note this option is not available online during peak periods, only at our markets

2. you select your preferred genre and we'll pick the book for you

3. we pick the genre and the book for you... if you're game enough to try it!

if you're not sure which way to swing or need help selecting a book for someone special, email us and Sarah will use her matchmaking abilities to find your perfect match!

what condition are your books in?

most of our books are preloved but they are all in readable condition
some look brand new and unread, others are in good / acceptable condition with general wear

general wear may include and is not limited to:
- gentle wear of the book cover
- name written inside
- remainder marked (usually a black line on the bottom of a book)
- sun / light damage (slight yellowing on outside edges)
- signed copies

we avoid books that have staining on the cover/pages, water damage, excessive dirt/scuff marks or anything else that impacts the readability of the book

utmost care has been taken to ensure that the book/s you have selected are in readable condition

please don’t purchase from us if you are seeking books in perfect condition. after all, we are about not judging a book by it’s cover!

how do you choose your books?

we pride ourselves on stocking high quality, interesting and diverse books for our readers

all books are personally selected by Sarah, and if she hasn’t read it herself, she has researched reviews and recommendations

when selecting books, we prioritise diversity and look for authors who write about a range of different subjects. we also tend to avoid the usual 'secondhand suspects' so that readers may pick up something they wouldn't normally try

what if i receive a book i've already read?

we can’t guarantee that you won’t receive a book you haven’t read before but we do try to minimise this by providing a hints card for our books. hopefully you might recognise whether or not you have read it

we understand that going on a blind date is risky, especially if you are a seasoned reader. this is also why we try and think outside of the box and minimise the quantity of popular titles when sourcing books

you're more than welcome to send us hints / suggestions to help us find your perfect match!

where are your books sourced?

we source our books from local op shops, secondhand stores and the community

our aim is to reduce the amount of books from going into landfill because a) the environment and b) books are wonderful and shouldn’t be thrown away!

we also accept book donations from the public and for any donated books sold, a minimum of $5 from each sale will go to our current charity

learn more about donations and the charities we support here

how do I find your returns and shipping information?

we currently do not offer returns, refunds or exchanges. read our returns policy here

find more info on postage rates and dispatch / delivery times here. be mindful that over busy periods, such as christmas, this may change

please note that we DO NOT currently ship internationally. delivery is within Australia only

when is your next market?

you can find our market dates here but we also recommend following us on our socials for up to date information on when / where you'll find us!

sometimes plans can change at the last minute ( weather, illness etc.), so the best way to stay updated is via Instagram or Facebook

what should I do with my book/s when I've finished reading them?

there are a few different things we recommend whether it's your 'old' blind dates or books you're clearing out. you can check out our suggestions here

do you take special requests / orders?

we do! send us an email, let us know what you're after and we'll help if we can