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Long live Galentine’s Day! Let’s be real, February is perhaps the dreariest month of the year (it’s still cold and it’s still dark). But a day dedicated to celebrating female friendships is a bright spot in an otherwise wearisome 28 days. It’s meant to be celebrated! And what could be more fun than hosting a romance novel book swap?
Romance novels are such a big part of our country’s literary culture, thanks in huge part to #BookTok and highly successful series like ACOTAR and Fourth Wing. (Romantasy, anyone?) With the most romantic day of the year upon us, why not host a romance novel book swap? The genre has grown, and it’s so much more than predictable plot lines and silly book covers. Here’s how to host your own, step by step!
Featured image from our interview with Sophie Collins by Christie Graham.
What Is A Book Swap, Actually?
Book swaps are exactly what they sound like. Guests bring a beloved book to trade, and everyone leaves with a new-to-them book. Since this is a themed book swap, invite your guests to bring a romance or romance-adjacent novel to share. Traditionally, you’d be swapping books that you’ve already read and love, but feel free to let your guests know they can bring new books as well, especially if romance is a new genre to them. So much of the fun is picking a book to share!
The joy of a book swap is that you can invite as many friends as you like. This party works with a large group of 20 or more, and can be equally as fun with just 5 or 6 guests. Send a group text or whip up an Evite, and be sure to include that guests should bring a romance novel to share! Then the fun begins.
First, decide on your menu. Easy, serve-yourself food is best for a gathering like this. A romance novel book swap is a perfect time for light bites and a fun signature cocktail!
Remember, you don’t have to prepare a three-course, sit-down meal for a gathering like this. Keep it casual, and keep it fun!
Set The Scene
Prepping your home for a book swap doesn’t have to mean a full deep clean. But take the time to tidy up, clear clutter, and decide where guests will place their books. Having a table in a central location so guests can take a peek at all the books up for grabs is ideal. This is where the swap will happen!
As guests begin to arrive, show them where to put their book, then offer them a drink. The party can start with chit-chatting, catching up, and light bites. Turn on a fun playlist and enjoy time with the girls. No strict schedule is needed, but be sure to check in case any of your guests need to leave at a certain time. You want to be sure everyone has time to participate in the swap!
Swap Your Books
Once it’s time to swap, gather your guests around the table with the books and explain the swap rules. If you’ve ever played White Elephant, the same rules apply.
- Write numbers on small slips of paper, then have everyone choose one from a hat. This will determine when the guests will take their turn.
- The guest who picked number one chooses the first book. The guest who picked number two goes next and can choose a book from the pile or pick one that has already been chosen. A book can only be chosen twice, and if your book has been taken, you choose another from the pile.
- Continue swapping until everyone has a book!
Depending on how large your group is (and how much time you have), it’s fun to have guests share a quick synopsis of the book they brought before you start swapping. If a guest has brought a book they’ve read, they can also share why they love it. Maybe share the spice level, how dreamy the love interest is, or a particular scene that makes the read totally worth it. It makes the swap a little more exciting, and maybe even more competitive too!
Enjoy Time With Your Friends and Your New Book!
A book swap is a simple and fun way for you to gather the girls and offer a fun experience for everyone. By the end of your time, everyone will leave with a new book and new memories. Take this as your sign to send the invite and celebrate the female friendships in your life. Cheers to Galentine’s Day, and happy hosting!
This post was last updated on February 7, 2026, to include new insights.