Whether you dismiss or celebrate the notion of Valentine’s Day, there’s a book for whatever emotions you are harbouring or trying to free.
I think it is important to celebrate every form of love during Valentine’s: whether that be a partner, a friendship, a colleague or a familial relationship. And what better way to show your book loving person that you are thinking of them? I hope that however you spend this day you are kind to yourself.
I present to you my Valentine’s/Galentine’s recommendations:
For the person in your life that is grieving - The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson. This book follows Lennie Walker, trying to cope with the death of her sister. It covers betrayal, forgiveness and wanderlust. I think it beautifully portrays how life can go on after suffering a monumental loss or tragedy. The Sky Is Everywhere will also become a film this year.
For the person that is a hopeless romantic - The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. This story revolves around main character Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, two executive assistants that are made to work in close proximity while disliking one another. It has forced proximity, office romance and is an all round feel good read.
For the adventurer in your life - The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. This book explores the power of stories and combines fantasy and adventure. It follows Zachary Ezra Rawlins on an adventure after discovering a mysterious book hidden in a library. It’s set in a world full of painters, lovers, pirates, lovers and ships that sail the starless sea.
For the poet -The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. This story is written so poetically and beautifully. It is a Greek mythology retelling of Patroclus and Achilles, following both characters from childhood and then throughout adulthood. This one really tugs at your heartstrings but is equally as informative for those of you that are Geek mythology buffs.
For the classical lover - Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. This is the heart-rending tale of Heathcliff and Cathy. Young Heathcliff is adopted by the Earnshaw family and soon becomes devoted to Cathy. It’s a novel that is a classic love story and it spans over a lifetime.
For the traveller - Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert. This is Gilbert’s self-proclaimed physical, emotional and mental journey around her thirtieth birthday. This book is funny, heartwarming and full of self-discovery.
For the non conventional romantic - Twisted Love, Twisted Games and Twisted Hate by Ana Huang. All of these are enemies to lovers and all non-conventionally romances. Twisted Love embodies brother’s best friend, forbidden romance and Twisted Games follows a princess and her bodyguard. The new instalment, Twisted Hate, involves a friends with benefits arrangement (more so enemies). All three are part of the same world but can be read as standalones as well..
For the one who loves cliches - The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas. This one includes a wedding, a trip to Spain, enemies to lovers, fake dating trope and grumpy/sunshine characters. It’s a lighthearted read and is lovely if you want something flirty and fun.
For the one who loves their books hot and steamy - Flock by Kate Stewart. This book embodies enemies to lovers, friends to lovers and lovers to enemies. The whole series is addictive, as are the characters. It’s a Robin Hood retelling and has a clever spin on the classic tale.
For the one who feels a little lost - Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton. This memoir is one that I constantly recommend to those that are feeling a bit in limbo when it comes to life. It’s funny, charming and follows a friendship group from their uni days to their successes as professionals. It doesn’t avoid the tragedies of life and is such a lovely read; it feels like your best friend giving you a hug when you’re sad.
Some honourable mentions from others’ recommendations:
The Sun is also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Reliving Fate by Natasha Preston
A Thousand Boy kisses by Colleen Hoover
Five Feet Apart by Mikki Daughtry
Breathless by Jennifer Niven
All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Tegan Lee Writer
@teganreads
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