Speed dating for book lovers

"Is it just me or does every single in Seattle claim to have a closet full of paddles and polar fleece?" moaned Diane Mapes in a seattlepi.com column. When it comes to dating, she's always "had a thing for guys with big brains." Now, just in time for Valentine's Day, her city has an answer for her.

Last Tuesday, Seattle's University Book Store held its first "Read Dating" event. Participants coupled up for 8 minutes to discuss their favorite books and authors before moving on to the next person.

Seattle is sometimes said to be the most literary city in the US and so perhaps that makes it a particularly promising venue for a matchmaking event focused on books. Whatever the reason, the event was apparently a success.

"A ton of people came and I think even a few matches were made," Stesha Brandon, manger of public relations and events for the store told industry newsletter Shelf Awareness. "We're definitely going to do it again."