My Favorite Love Stories for Valentine's Day
With Valentine’s Day approaching (which I intend to spend reading Where the Crawdads Sing aloud to my fiancé), I wanted to share my favorite literary love stories. Yet, I can’t do so in good faith without telling you all that I’m a walking contradiction. I hate romantic comedies. Like, really hate them. My dear friend made me watch the Netflix hit To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and I pretty much wanted to puke the whole time. On the other hand, I am deeply committed to the Bachelor franchise and swoon when a really good love story presents itself in certain reads. It’s not so surprising that I’ve never been one for traditional romance novels, but I can’t help but root for literary lovers when their story is told with something on the side, whether that’s political intrigue, an expertly-crafted fantasy world, or a captivating historical narrative.
Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen
As much as I love Pride & Prejudice and Jane Austen’s countless other masterpieces, I have a soft spot for Sense & Sensibility. The story is essentially about the virtues of “sense” and “sensibility” in love, the latter of which meant “sensitivity” when Austen was writing. Every time I read the book, I find myself relating to both main characters, sisters Marianne and Elinor Dashwood. I love Marianne for her willingness to show emotion and wear her heart on her sleeves -- something I’m absolutely known to do. I aspire to have Elinor’s practicality and thoughtfulness. I particularly enjoy that Austen doesn’t shy away from shedding a harsh light on these women and their relationships. They are complicated and flawed, key ingredients in a good love story.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
I read this book in January of this year and have recommended it since to anyone who will listen. In the wake of World War II, the young Juliet aspires to be a “serious” writer and stumbles upon friendship with the inhabitants of Guernsey, an island in the English Channel formerly occupied by the Nazis.
There are so many things to love about this charming tale. It’s written as a series of letters, otherwise known as the epistolary form, allowing the characters’ feelings take center stage in the story. While Juliet falls in love and breaks some hearts, the story illustrates the beautiful power of familial relationships and platonic friendships as well. And, of course, the island of Guernsey is a character in and of itself, captivating and soothing any engrossed reader.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
By a happy accident, I recently attended Ann Patchett’s talk at Women and Children First where she was promoting her most recent book, The Dutch House. The friend who invited me to join insisted I read Bel Canto before the talk, as I hadn’t read any of Ann Patchett’s books before. (I know, I know… I can guarantee I was thinking “BIG MISTAKE” as much as those of you who are Ann Patchett fans want to scream “BIG MISTAKE” at your computer screen right now.) In Bel Canto, Patchett describes a hostage situation featuring international aristocrats and South American guerilla fighters. The book spans several months and documents the relationships that form over that time period, both romantic and platonic. The story deeply moved me, and I’m hesitant to share more. The beauty of the world Patchett creates unfolds on each passing page.
The Lunar Chronicles by Melissa Meyer
This one’s for all my YA fans out there. The Lunar Chronicles is a 4-book series (if you don’t count the very solid book about the series’ villain and the collection of short stories based on The Lunar Chronicles world). Though a singular, engaging, dystopian plot is consistent between the books, each installment introduces a new character, each an intriguing take on a particular fairy tale character. The best part is, “Cinder” (Cinderella), “Scarlet” (Little Red Riding Hood), “Cress” (Rapunzel), and “Winter” (Snow White) each come with their own hunky male addition, equal parts hottie and (mostly) feminist-respecting gentleman.