I wanted to put together a list of recent books related to Valentine’s day, so I stuck pretty close to the theme of straightforward romantic love for the first section. I also wanted to suggest some titles for people who aren’t into the theme of love at Valentine’s, so I included an anti-Valentine’s section for the broken-hearted, the rejectors of true love, and the non-sappy. I also am putting up a display in the library, so you can come and see other suggestions there.
Valentine’s Reading List
Always and Forever Lara Jean
Eleanor and Park
Eleanor and Park is a great read set in the 1980s about two quirky misfits who fall in love. A very popular book that is well loved (including by me). Not a typical or light love story, these are complex characters and some serious issues are addressed, but with grace and charm. Just read it!!!.
When Dimple Met Rishi
When Dimple Met Rishi made a whole bunch of “best of 2017” lists, which I won’t repeat here. Suffice it to say this is an adorable and sometimes hilarious read about two Indian American teens whose parents decide should be married. Rishi always follows his parents' wishes, but Dimple, a strong-willed and future-oriented young woman has other plans.
Once and For All
Let me just start by saying that Sarah Dessen is incredibly good at sneaking romance into a story that is much more about a whole person and complex life than just a romance, but making you feel really good about the romance at the same time.
Once and For All is Sarah Dessen’s latest and is set in the world of wedding planning. Louna plans other weddings but thinks she missed her chance at love after a tragic end to her first love, but it just might be her time for second chances.
See Me
Nicholas Sparks is a master of telling us romantic stories that make us cry and get us to fall in love. See Me is his latest, but you can’t go wrong with this author if you want a straightforward romance. In See Me: both characters are trying to put their past behind them, but can they make a new future together?
Wait for Me
Set in 1945 during WWII Scotland where Lorna Anderson is living and working on her family’s farm when Paul Vogel, a German prisoner of war, is assigned as the new farmhand. Lorna wonders how she can work alongside the enemy when her own brothers are still fighting Germany in the war. Yet as Lorna gets to know Paul, sees the man behind the soldier.
“The perfect blend of sweet romance and historical flavor” - from the publisher.
Loving V. Virginia
”In 1955, in Caroline County, Virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love” - from the Publisher.
Their life together broke the law, but they fought to legalize marriage between the races, and won! This tells the story of their love and their successful fight to be together.
Twilight and Life and Death
In this 10th Anniversary Edition of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, the original story appears as does Life and Death in which Twilight has been reimagined and rewritten from the male perspective.
Anti-Valentine’s Reading List
The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love
Graham would want this to be a love story because he has been in love with his best friend, Roxana, ever since he moved into her neighborhood when they were kids. Graham has his plans for how he is going to woo Roxy, but finds love is more complicated than he had hoped.
Coping with Breakups and Jealousy
This is exactly what it should be: a nonfiction book about how to survive a breakup. I hope you aren’t nursing a broken heart right now, but if you are, you might want to take a look at this one.
Bad Romance
At first, Grace and Gavin fall in love, but then Gavin becomes abusive and their relationship becomes a prison for Grace.
"A realistic, worthwhile look at dating violence and unhealthy relationships." --Kirkus Reviews
Kill the Boy Band
“Four fan-girls of The Ruperts, sneak away to a hotel in Manhattan to see their favorite boy band, but when one of them literally drags Rupert Pierpont to their room and they tie him up, things get complicated--and when Rupert is killed things go from bad to worse” -- from Follett.
They both die at the end
"In a near-future New York City where a service alerts people on the day they will die, teenagers Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio meet using the Last Friend app and are faced with the challenge of living a lifetime on their End Day"--Provided by publisher.
Landscape with Invisible Hand
When alien technology replaces human jobs, Adam and his girlfriend Chloe get creative to survive and record scenes of themselves acting like they are in love to sell to the aliens. Unfortunately, it’s hard to look like you are in love when you actually hate each other. A funny, satirical little novel.
The Secret History of Us
It’s hard to feel in-love with someone when you don’t remember ever meeting them. When Olivia wakes from a coma after she nearly drowned in a bad car accident, she can’t remember anything that happened in high school, including Matt, her boyfriend of two years.
Zom-B
When I think of the opposite of love and romance, Zombies definitely come to mind! Plot description from the publisher: “B does not buy into her father's racism, but goes along with it to avoid being abused, acts out at school by getting into fights and being mean, but, when zombies attack, she must try to find students with whom to team up in order to fend them off.”
