A book fair can easily turn into a routine. Walk. Look. Pick something up. Put it down. Walk again.
But if you’re surrounded by thousands of stories, why not turn the day into a little adventure? Here are seven challenges to try during your next book fair visit.
1. Discover an Author You’ve Never Heard Of
Choose one book from someone completely unfamiliar. No reviews. No recommendations. Just curiosity.
2. Visit Your Least-Read Genre
If you always read fiction, explore nonfiction. If thrillers are your comfort zone, look at poetry. You don’t have to buy anything — just investigate.
3. Ask an Exhibitor for One Recommendation
Don’t ask for the bestseller. Ask: “If I could look at only one book here, which one would you choose?”
You’ll often get a much more interesting answer.
4. Read Five First Sentences
Pick five completely different books. Read only the opening sentence. Which one makes it impossible not to continue?
5. Find the Most Unusual Title
Every book fair has titles that make you stop and say, “Wait… what?” Find your favorite.
6. Talk to Someone Who Loves a Different Kind of Book
Book lovers rarely need much encouragement to discuss books. Ask another visitor what they’ve discovered — their recommendation might send you somewhere completely unexpected.
7. Leave With One Surprise
Your surprise doesn’t have to be a purchase. Maybe it’s an author you want to follow. Maybe it’s an idea. Maybe it’s a publisher. Maybe it’s one sentence you read and can’t stop thinking about.
The point is simple: don’t leave having experienced only the things you already knew you liked. Book fairs are built for discovery.
Let one happen.