Aren’t we all, Buddy?

Okay, maybe not everyone is looking for romance, but some of us are and it’s not easy. I mean, it’s not like scores of available, big-hearted, and agreeable lords and ladies are moving into the neighborhood and hosting balls.* Diners, drive-ins, and dives are all great places to meet and mingle, but any romantic comedy will tell you that they’re just breeding grounds for shenanigans and hijinks.

Then where? The Internet, of course! There is no shortage of dating sites to help out: eHarmony, OKCupid, the Gaga-approved Plenty of Fish, andthelistgoeson. Each has set up scores of dates and begun many relationships, each with its own method.

Alikewise.com is the new kid on the block. matching people up based on the books that they share. The idea, as the About Us page conveniently states, is ‘to find an area of passionate interest, and let you take it from there.’ Before you’ve even met, you’ll have something to talk about that extends beyond the color of the walls in the café or how much good a little rain would do your geraniums.

The site is the brainchild of Matt Sherman, who came up with idea after ‘wishing I could meet a woman who’s read The Black Swan or Road to Serfdom,’ and has his own profile. The other co-founder, also a Matt, has a profile as well, but he is taken. Sorry, folks. Actually, neither one will be dating customers. Click through to the profiles anyway. Go on. You’re curious.

Though it’s still young, Alikewise is easy to use, and fun to boot. After doing all the basic sign-up (name, age, place, statement, etc.), you get to search for your favorite books and give an optional explanation of your thoughts for any potential suitors (suitettes?). From there, you simply make a few selections on the drop down menu and your matches neatly line up, awaiting the click of your mouse.

I messaged my own matches, then a wider pool of members to get a feel for a general opinion. Everyone was intrigued by the unique approach to dating, though word was spread about the site in different ways. A few got wind of it by word of mouth, some from online sources (Facebook, Hacker News, and sundry blogs), others in print.

The pool of members is well varied so far, the near-uniform complaint among them all being that there aren’t many members yet.

Consider that your call to arms! I’m not saying that you need to go out and buy a new First Date Outfit, but it is a brilliant idea that deserves a try, and bit of press. If nothing else, it’s fun and free—for now.

*If this is a common occurrence in your area, please let me know and I’ll purchase a bus ticket and the first ball gown I see.