- Cloudy With a Chance of Romance -
by Spencer Bohlm
If you’re in the Northern part of the U.S., chances are you’ve been snowed in for most of 2015. If you’re like me, you used that time trapped indoors to get closer to the ones you love - and by that, I mean your favorite books. But in keeping with Valentine’s traditions, it might be time to invite something… spicier into the mix.
The following novels aren’t anything from your mom’s Harlequin collection; these stories feature plot-lines concerning everything from time-traveling teens to rogue zombies, and will surely keep you on your toes.
The perfect choice for anyone looking to expand their literary horizons, this story proves that love lives beyond the grave. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, it follows “R”, a male zombie, and his encounters with Julie, a human woman. He first meets her outside the human safety compound looking for medical supplies. Unbeknownst to Julie, R attacks and eats the brain of her boyfriend Perry, which allows him to experience Perry’s memories of Julie. He takes her in for a period after saving her from an attack by the other zombies and he soon begins to fall for her. Made into a film in 2013, their unlikely love story is also the perfect V-day flick - click here for streaming info - unless the idea of the concept of kissing the undead gives you the creeps. If that’s the case, move on down the list!
So sweet you might get a cavity once you’re through, The Notebook holds a place in all our hearts. This is it’s second appearance on the Valentine’s Day reading list - but that’s no mistake, as this book is a modern romantic classic. Many are familiar with the film version, but the book is even better in its vivid retelling of a truly great love story. The story centers on Noah who, after returning from WWII, refurbishes a home and is featured in the newspaper for his accomplishment. Of course, who’s to see the story but an old summer flame of his? The lovely-but-definitely-engaged Allie sees his picture and decides to pay a visit. While talking she discovers that he wrote to her for a year following their summer romance, but her mother hid the letters because she felt he was “beneath” her daughter. The two of them catch up on what they’ve been doing for the past 14 years and find their passion undiminished. It’s a book leaves readers swept up in both their joy and pain.
Best known as the author of the wildly popular Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, Ann Brashares tackles the challenges of teen romance set in a dystopia in The Here And Now. While some of you may be rolling your eyes at the thought of another YA dystopian romance book, this one strays from the norm in several key ways. First of all it’s set in the current day New York, and its main character, Prenna, has time traveled along with many others from the future. In this world, disease, food shortages, and chaos reign. Despite her community’s strict rules concerning outsiders, Prenna meets and falls for Ethan - a boy outside her boundaries. The two of them are determined to do things now to create a better future, despite the risks presented to themselves and their relationship.
For the singletons out there feeling adrift in the sea of V-Day commercialism, rejoice in this refreshingly candid memoir by Katie Heaney. She recounts her life up to this point and how, despite being a competent, caring person she has never had a boyfriend. We learn about her awkward dating history including failed first dates, unrequited crushes, and those love-at-first--sight-with-a-stranger-on-public-transportation moments that we can all identify with. It’s a witty and charming book for wallflowers who haven’t built up the courage to ask their crush out, telling the tale of lifetime unlucky in love. It drives home the point that romantic love isn’t everything, and just because you’re single doesn’t mean you’re crazy. (Okay, maybe you’re a little crazy.)
Such awesome book recs, especially for this day! Happy Valentine's Day and enjoy the rest of the weekend reading. I have a hot date with Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.
ReplyDeleteAlex @ The Book's Buzz