When Valentine’s Day rolls around, most people try to find rom-coms to watch with their friends or significant others. However, there’s no shortage of romance to be found in books! Whether you want a traditional love story or something a bit more unconventional, there’s definitely a book out there that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. Here are just a few great ones!
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1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This is one of my favorite books, and it’s great for Valentine’s Day. Following the story of Elizabeth Bennet and her changing relationship with William Darcy, Pride and Prejudice showcases Jane Austen at her wittiest. The Bennet sisters are all amazing characters in their own right, but Elizabeth is one of the greatest literary characters ever; she’s outspoken, intelligent and kind. The romance between William and Lizzie is definitely one to read during Valentine’s Day!
2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Following along the classic novel route, Jane Eyre is another excellent novel with an intelligent heroine. Jane has been brought up in a boarding school in England; after she completes her education, she becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, taking care of the ward of Mr. Edward Rochester. The plot twists and intrigue that follow generates a wonderful mix of mystery and romance; it’s perfect for this holiday.
3. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
If you don’t necessarily want to read a classic during Valentine’s Day, this adorable and sharply written Young Adult novel is a great one to pick up! It describes the relationship between the main character, Simon, and a boy he’s been secretly emailing. Both of them know that the other goes to the same high school, but they don’t know the specific identity of their correspondent. Complicating matters even further, Simon hasn’t come out to anyone else yet; when the emails fall into the wrong hands and Simon starts getting blackmailed, he has to decide how he wants to live his life and be who he is without damaging his relationships with his friends, family and the boy he’s crushing on. This book is also being made into a movie that comes out in March, so now is the perfect time to read it!
4. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
A Young Adult romance novel with a slight paranormal twist, The Raven Boys is an engaging read for Valentine’s Day. It details the life of Blue Sargent and her relationships with a group of boys from Aglionby Academy, the local private school. As her friendships, and specifically one potential romantic entanglement, develop, the paranormal elements of this story kick in. Blue comes from a family of fortune tellers, and for her whole life, she’s been told that if she kisses her true love, he’ll die. This definitely complicates the romance in the novel! Add in the intricate way all the characters are developed, a racing plot and beautiful prose, and you’ve got a great read for Valentine’s Day. It’s also the first in a series of four novels, so if you finish this one, there are three more to read!
5. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Finally, no Valentine’s Day reading list is complete without a little Shakespeare! Perhaps his most popular piece of work, this play follows the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, as they battle through all the obstacles the universe puts in their way to attempt to be together. There are countless popular culture adaptations of Romeo and Juliet, so this Valentine’s Day, why not read the original source?
These are just some of the countless books that are perfect to read during this holiday. Happy Valentine’s Day!