Seen Library: Recommended Reading

Jordan is wearing the The Boxy-Crop Tee in Soft Slub and The Lexington Small Tote.

Tonight, I will be hosting an intimate gathering on behalf of Seen Library with Madewell—an evening centered around books, conversation and connection. When I officially started Seen Library in 2021, that’s exactly what I wanted to do: create space to slow down, share stories and simply be in the presence of friends, or even strangers. I’m so excited to do just that with a brand I’ve loved and worn for years.

I’ve been hosting Seen Library gatherings for over five years now and even back then, my friends and I were already spending so much of our lives online, whether for work or for fun. I began longing for simpler things from the past: holding a physical book in my hands instead of holding a phone, speaking to people face-to-face instead of through a screen, taking part in conversations without distraction. With so much of our lives now happening on our phones, it was important to me to bring people together around something that can only be felt and experienced in person. Now in 2026, that craving for in-person connection and intimacy has only grown stronger and more important than ever.

Seen Library events feature books wrapped in paper with only a few clues, inviting readers to choose their next read blindly.

Books have always felt like the perfect vehicle for this. The wrapped “blind date with a book” idea isn’t a novel one, but once I started incorporating it into gatherings, I wanted to take it a step further as a way to encourage conversation. Each book is hand‑wrapped in paper so that participants won’t judge it by its cover. Instead, they choose a book based on three clues, which I handwrite on a custom Seen Library card.

The clues might include the book’s genre, themes, setting or even how it might make you feel while reading. The third one is always a compelling quote from the book itself. These insights offer a small glimpse into the story under the wrapping and serve as talking points during the discussion. As part of the gathering, everyone shares why they chose the book they did based on which clues resonated with them the most.

That’s when something special happens. People begin to share a bit about themselves they might not have otherwise. They feel a sense of safety and comfort in opening up, because they see a part of themselves in the book they selected. Often, it’s through this simple exchange that vulnerability emerges and with it, genuine connection.

That’s where the name “Seen Library” comes from. In the pages of our favorite books, we’re invited to see and understand ourselves more clearly, as well as step into the perspectives of others.

For each gathering, I curate the book list and evening around a central theme. Tonight’s theme is A Return to Ease. With that in mind, I put together nine books that you can fall into easily yet continue thinking about long after the last page. From well-loved classics that nod to the past to contemporary novels that feel timeless, thoughtful and a bit unexpected, these picks are effortless reads to dive into as you begin a new chapter.

1. A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

2. Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

3. Just Kids by Patti Smith

4. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

5. Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

6. Sula by Toni Morrison

7. The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

8. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

9. What You are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

At its core, Seen Library gatherings celebrate individuality, creativity and connection. They’re about bringing people together in a way that feels natural yet deeply personal. It’s an experience meant to be felt, shared and remembered—just like a good book.