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14 Reads to Share with Your Valentine

by  | February 13

Finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift to show you care can be a tricky endeavor, especially with the gift-giving season having only just passed two months ago. If you’re single, Valentine’s Day can be the perfect time to show someone how you feel about them. Whether you’re shopping for a romantic partner, a best friend, or a special someone who helps make your day better, here are fourteen great reads to share on February 14th.

Slayer

Slayer

by Kiersten White

For the fantasy lover who slays their to-do list: Slayer by Kiersten White

You know exactly who I’m talking about—the kind of person who has a to-do list and checks it off with a precision and efficiency that makes you wonder if there’s anything they can’t do. When they finally get a moment to catch their breath and read a good book, they’re looking for kick-ass adventure, and that’s what Slayer provides. A continuation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the book has family drama, supernatural suspense, and a tale of sisterhood and friendship that’s sure to get your valentine to put down their list of chores, at least for one more chapter.

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Relish

Relish

by Lucy Knisley

For the foodie who can’t resist a good read: Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley

Everyone might be on that Salt, Fat, Heat, Acid trend right now, but your foodie Valentine read that book before the Netflix show even came out. Give them something sweet for their eyes to feast on with this lovingly illustrated book by Lucy Knisley. Knisley chronicles her life in food, highlighting its place in her big moments and how it ties into her own personal worldview. Beyond the appetizing illustrations, each chapter comes with a recipe that your valentine can make to further explore their love of food. Maybe they’ll even share some goodies with you!

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To All the Boys I've Loved Before (Media Tie-In Edition)

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (Media Tie-In Edition)

by Jenny Han

For the Netflix rom-com binger: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Admit it—you’ve watched the film adaptation more times than you would like to acknowledge. But whether your valentine was your bingeing buddy for all those viewings, or just hasn’t gotten to it yet, why not surprise them with the book the movie’s based on? Jenny Han’s tale of teen romance is self-aware of the trappings and tropes of the genre and masterfully deals with the sensitive issues of sisterhood, dating, and growing up. And if your valentine is really invested in the adventures of Lara Jean, you can get them the other two books in the series for their birthday.

And once your valentine is done reading the book AND watching the movie (multiple times each!), they can check out other books to enjoy after watching and reading To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before!

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Beartown

Beartown

by Fredrik Backman

For the reader who’s always going for the goal: Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Even if you’re not a big fan of sports, everyone can get behind rooting for the underdog. And if your valentine is the kind who will always cheer at the end of Rudy or Remember the Titans, then this is the book to give them this February. Beartown’s one last hope is their junior ice hockey team, but a terrible act will throw all of that into jeopardy. Told from multiple perspectives, Beartown is as much about the people as the sport, and will have even the most cynical readers on their feet. And if your valentine is looking for more, there is a sequel already out called Us Against You.

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An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

by Hank Green

For the one who loves sci-fi with pertinent social commentary: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

Does your valentine spend their weekends bingeing Doctor Who and Star Trek? Then it’s clear they are looking to a better and brighter future, while still thinking critically about the issues of today. Hank Green’s debut novel fits the bill for this sci-fi fan, as it looks at the downsides of Internet fame. The story begins when April May finds a mysterious robot in samurai armor, and decides to upload a video of herself interacting with it. The next day, hundreds of the robots appear across the globe, and April May is caught in the crosshairs of a sci-fi mystery and international intrigue. Ultimately, though, she discovers something fundamental about humanity.

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Then She Was Gone

Then She Was Gone

by Lisa Jewell

For the reader who loves a story with dark twists and turns: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

For the daring bibliophile in your life who gets energized by thrillers, Lisa Jewell’s tale of a mother’s hunt for her missing daughter will have them glued to the page. A decade after her daughter goes missing, Laurel meets a charming singer with a nine-year-old daughter who looks uncannily like her child did at that age. From there, a series of events unfold that have Laurel, and the reader, second-guessing all they knew. From the haunting language to the desperation of a mother still searching for her child, your valentine will be hooked.

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The Clockmaker's Daughter

The Clockmaker's Daughter

by Kate Morton

For the history buff who craves adventure: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

If your valentine lives for historical British murder-mystery shows, then this book will have no problem holding their attention. A young archivist named Elodie finds a mysterious satchel with a photograph and a sketch, but what she doesn’t know is how these two things will help her uncover a mystery started 150 years prior. A tale of love, murder, and intrigue, The Clockmaker’s Daughter is a delectable mix of history and enigma that will keep your valentine guessing right to the very end.

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One Day in December

One Day in December

by Josie Silver

For the reader obsessed with meet cutes and missed connections: One Day in December by Josie Silver

Whether your valentine believes in fate, destiny, karma, kismet, or just the power of connection, One Day in December is going to have them head over heels in love. The book follows two people who meet up ten times throughout the course of their lives. Laurie first sees Jack when they lock eyes through a bus window, but it’s enough to convince her he’s the one. Too bad the next time they meet, he’s introduced to her as her best friend Sarah’s boyfriend. Across the ever-twisting tides of time, this book follows the duo as they reconnect over and over, trying to figure out just how to define their relationship.

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The Little Book of Hygge

The Little Book of Hygge

by Meik Wiking

For the reader who lives for coziness: The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking

Cozy sweater? Check. Fluffy blanket? Check. Masterfully made cup of cocoa? Check. If any of these items on the ultimate comfy guide reminds you of your valentine, then this book is the perfect read for a night in. What is hygge? It’s described as “the art of creating intimacy to coziness of the soul to taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things,” i.e., peak comfort. Written by the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute (yes, that’s a real place!), this book aims to get readers to put a little more hygge into their lives through everyday changes that will make them happier.

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The Last Black Unicorn

The Last Black Unicorn

by Tiffany Haddish

For the one who loves to laugh a lot: The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

Sometimes, all you need to get you through a cold February is a funny read that will have you rolling in your seat during your commute. And if anyone knows comedy, it’s Tiffany Haddish. As she recounts her rough childhood spent in foster care—and making money as a mascot and a for-hire hype woman— Haddish marries truth to humor in a unique and powerful way. These tales will have your valentine laughing at every misadventure while admiring this powerful comedian’s rise to well-deserved fame.

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In a Dark, Dark Wood

In a Dark, Dark Wood

by Ruth Ware

For the one who reads under the covers: In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

We all know that reader who stays up late at night, reading stories that will give them nightmares but chooses to plow through anyway. Lenora Shaw goes to a bachelorette party in a cute little house in the English woods. However, those woods don’t seem so innocent when the sun goes down. When Lenora wakes up in a hospital room with police posted at her door, she has to piece together what happened at the party, and the role she played in it all. If your valentine is the kind of reader who delights in the darkness and can’t help but read through the night, this book will win a special place in their heart.

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Hunger

Hunger

by Roxane Gay

For the reader who seeks out narratives from empowered women: Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay

The essays of Roxane Gay have always been powerful forays into difficult and nuanced topics, but her book on her own body is perhaps the most intimate and introspective. Gay discusses the history of her body, guiding readers through the hard-won battles of understanding herself and others, through those desires and anxieties we all share. Definitely a must-have if your valentine is the kind of reader looking to ask themselves some deep questions and engage with this powerful voice, who is changing how we think.

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Five Feet Apart (Media Tie-In)

Five Feet Apart (Media Tie-In)

by Rachael Lippincott

For the reader who believes love conquers all: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis

Some of us are hopeless romantics, believing that love can make us better and stronger. If your valentine is the kind of person who has faith in the ties that bind, Five Feet Apart is the perfect gift. The book follows two teens with cystic fibrosis, an illness which means they have to adhere to a rigorous care regime and stay away from others in order to stay healthy. So, of course, they fall in love, even when they know they shouldn't. Navigating love, loss, and living with a chronic illness, this story is sure to bring on the feels.

BONUS: You can watch the movie starring Cole Sprouse (of Riverdale) and Haley Lu Richardson in March!

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A Cathedral of Myth and Bone

A Cathedral of Myth and Bone

by Kat Howard

Do you know someone who always tells the best stories? Or maybe someone who is obsessed with myths and lore? Look no further for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift: A Cathedral of Myth and Bone is a short story anthology that will satisfy both. From a tale about saints of the sidewalk, to a unique retelling of the Arthurian legend in the last place you’d expect—each story brings with it a sense of wonder and terror, putting its characters in awe of the powers of legend. This is an engaging read that your valentine will devour and, in turn, want to share with others.

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Categories // Holiday

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A reporter by trade, Sara Roncero-Menendez is a lover of horror, sci-fi, and all things pop culture. From indies to classics to even the strangest genre pieces, all movies, TV shows, and books are fair game for a binge-fest. Follow her on Twitter @sararomenen or at her website, www.sara-roncero-menendez.com
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