For some reason, I'm feeling particularly in the Valentines Day mood this year. That being said, I decided I had to do a romantic themed blog post! I know, weird for me since I'm so not into romance. Well, even the most cynical reader can find some romantic stories they like. Shocking, I know. So in honor of Valentines Day I decided I would share with you my favorite books with romance, my favorite authors who write romance, and my favorite literary couples! Let's get this started.
Favorite Romantic Stories
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr has got to be one of my FAVORITE stories of all time. Ummm what can I say other than I LOVE THIS BOOK?!?! Thought if I'm honest this really isn't about romance. In fact, it's really more about friendship, growing up, and moving on, but hey, it's got a cookie heart on it and the title sounds extremely romantic, so IT COUNTS. :P
Karma is AMAZING. Most of you probably haven't heard of it, but it's this absolutely gorgeous novel-in-verse that is set in India that just so happens to have a wonderful romance in it. If you love novels-in-verse, historical fiction, and romance, you must read this book! Writing this is making me want to read it again. It's just such a beautiful story. <3 p="">
Delirium gave me an entire new appreciation for love, and the richness it brings to our lives. I am the epitome of a romantic cynic, but this book really helped me realize that love isn't as lame as I think it is. Plus, it's a dystopian, Lena is awesome, and Alex is pretty dang swoonworthy. I'm sure most of you have read Delirium already, but if you haven't pick it up! It's fantastic.
For the longest time I kept telling myself, nope, not reading this book, no way! I'm not quite sure why I was so against picking it up (maybe it had something to do with the hand holding cover?) but I am so glad I finally caved because this book is SO GOOD. It's one of my favorite contemps, and it will definitely be a go to summer romance novel for years to come!
I'm not as obsessed with these books as some people are, but they have the perfect summer beach read vibe to them and the romance is sweet. It's that classic childhood friend turned boyfriend thing that I think every girl loves. Honestly, there aren't any guys from my childhood that I would want to get together with, but I like the idea of knowing a guy for that long and then falling in love with him you know? It's sweet. :P
This is probably a lot of people's go to suggestion for contemporary romance. The Truth About Forever is the first YA book I remember reading. There might have been a few YA books I read before it, but this is the first one that stuck with me. This book is why I am a hardcore Sarah Dessen fan. Honestly, most of her books probably deserve to be on this list, but if I were to pick one other stand out favorite of mine I would go with Along For the Ride. I LOVE Along for the Ride. :)
I am a HUGE Sarah Ockler fan. Twenty Boy Summer is probably my favorite of her's along with her most recent novel Bittersweet. Sarah just knows how to have a perfect balance of the serious and the sweet and the romance is always super adorable.
One cannot make a list of favorite romance stories without listing The Princess Bride. That would practically be a crime. This is probably the only situation in which the movie version actually surpasses it's book counterpart, but that doesn't mean the book isn't wonderful too! If you like the movie (and if you don't what is wrong with you?!?!) then I highly suggest giving the book a read. :)
Favorite Literary Couples
Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe from the Anne of Green Gables Series by Lucy Maud Montgomery
They're just so perfect for each other guys. SO PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER!!!! I love everything about their relationship; how they went from hating each other (at least on Anne's end), to tolerating each other, to Anne finally realizing that she loved Gilbert! Gahhh I just love them. <3 p="">
Faramir and Eowyn from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien
Ummmm can you say adorable? If you've only watched the films and never actually read the LOTR trilogy then you're really missing out on how perfect this pairing is. Eowyn and Faramir are just so perfect together. J.R.R. Tolkien might not have had a ton of romance in his books, but when he did he knew how to do it right!
Hazel and Augustus from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
This has got to be my favorite pairing in all of YA literature. Yes, Augustus may be the male equivalent of a manic-pixie dream girl, and yes, him and Hazel may be the epitome of star crossed lovers, but I love them anyway. This story and relationship is just so heartbreakingly beautiful, one cannot hate on it. *sniff sniff*
So there you have it! I hope you guys liked this list. Be sure to let me know if you want to see more of these types of posts in the future. :)
What are your favorite romantic stories and literary couples? I would love to know!
Happy Valentines Day everyone!
Julia :)
Awesome. So many I haven't read. And that last picture makes me want to grab that book asap.
ReplyDeleteYou haven't read The Fault In Our Stars yet? OH MY GOSH YOU MUST IT IS AMAZING!!!!! :D
DeleteQuestion: is Amy and Roger's Epic Detour written in short snip-it like things versus prose? I think I was going to pick it up once, but that deterred me. Anyway, favorite literary couple: Kathy and Tommy from Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro.
ReplyDeleteAmy and Roger's Epic Detour has some fun scrapbook elements strewn throughout the book (like a brochure from a national park, or a receipt from a diner) but other than that it's format is like any other normal prose novel. I definitely recommend reading it!
DeleteOh man SUCH a good couple choice! I haven't actually read Never Let Me Go, but I saw the movie and I loved Kathy and Tommy! Of course, I'm sure the book is MUCH better. I've been meaning to read it but I haven't gotten around to it yet. :P
Oooo I LOVE this list! I totally agree with you on all of these and the ones I haven't read, I need to read! :D I've had Sweethearts on my shelf for years and totally forgot about it until now, I'm so happy you loved it! Also, I love Hazel and Augustus together and that picture is perfect! :)
ReplyDeleteSweethearts is SO GOOD. And isn't that TFiOS fanart the best? LOVE. <3
Delete#Team Conrad <3 (I'm one of those people that are totally obsessed with this series!)
ReplyDeleteSooo many of these are faves of mine as well!
ReplyDelete