If you want to try blind dates with books, here are some tips:

1. Give a general impression of the book and identify its underlying theme.

“(No. 2) Barrel Fever by David Sedaris

Short fiction and nonfiction

American life is funny, even when it’s not.”

2. Use pop culture references as shorthand for character description and tropes. Make sure these are references your friends understand.

“(No. 7) The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

Young adult fantasy

Daenerys and Khal Drogo in an alternate Victorian-style universe.”

3. Try not to use the key word of the title, even if there is no substitute for it; use generic phrasing if needed.

“(No. 11) Biography of the Dollar by Craig Karmin

Business and economics

A social history of one of the world’s most powerful currencies.”

4. Puns. Just because.

“(No. 14) Secrets of Saffron: The Vagabond Life of the World’s Most Seductive Spice by Pat Willard

Food/cultural history

Spice adds variety to life.”

5. If the genre needs Googling, keep the description straightforward.

“(No. 10) Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin

Historiographic metafiction

A prequel to the Aeneid, as told by Aeneas’ future wife.”