Palmerton Area Library's teen group spent this Thursday's meeting preparing for a big date.

A blind book date, that is."I've come across it at other libraries," Christine DeSousa said about the activity."When I took the position of teen group adviser three years ago, they were coming up with new ideas, and I said, 'Hey, why not do a blind book date?' "For the month of February, librarygoers can select from a bookcase filled with wrapped-up titles. Each one is decorated with pictures and phrases to provide a clue about the mystery selection, which is chosen by the library staff and group members. DeSousa said it is an entertaining way to expand your literary palate."I've had adults that have done the blind book date, and there were books that they would never pick up, ever," she said. "At blind book date last year, they were picking up books and saying, 'I love this author! Give me more!' It made people open the door to genres they wouldn't usually read."The teen group has been getting together during their Thursday meetings to decorate the books, using their creative talents to pique the interest of those who are looking for new material."I think it's really fun and creative. It really allows us as a team to let loose with our imaginations. It depends on how loose your imagination is, though," group member Katlyn Hoffman said with a laugh.Hoffman is quite the creative force herself. One needs to look no further than the reactionary comic-style art that adorned a dystopian novel."If it said 'hardship,' she made it look like the character was working really hard on something," DeSousa said. "They were physical representations of the clues. It was really cool."Hoffman's brother Matt, 17, was also in attendance, decorating a cover with fantasy phrases and illustrations."Well, since the theme here is 'not your average fairy tale adventure,' I figured I'd start with a wand, and work my way around that," Hoffman said as he embellished the piece. "When you think fairy tales, you think of those little pixie wands, a little pixie dust around them, and there's a few little flashes of blue coming off it."The blind book date will be running throughout February. While finding a new favorite story is its own reward, you also get a raffle ticket for a $50 Palmerton Chamber of Commerce gift card for each title you check out.Just watch out for those tear-jerkers, such as Richard Paul Evans's "If Only," selected by Hoffman and her sister Emily, 13."It's this really bittersweet love story, but if I start talking about it, I'll cry," Hoffman said. "Spare me, please, I have no more tissues."