Top Ten Tuesday- All You Need is Love

I think someone should do a mash-up of the Beatles' "All You Need is Love" and Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to do With It?" Just a thought. 

 The Broke and the Bookish are asking us, in honor of this lovely holiday coming up in just a few days, what our top ten romances are. I have to preface this by saying that I am definitely not a love story kind of girl- you will not catch me reading novels with half naked women and Fabio look-a-likes on the cover. But I do think that a romantic angle, when done right, can absolutely add to a book. The titles below aren't necessary typical romances- some end poorly for the characters, but nonetheless, love is a factor.

1. On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan- The novella centers around a virginal couple on their honeymoon, ready to consummate their marriage. What could be more romantic than that, right? How about being in a relationship before Viagra was invented? Jokes aside, it will make you question the role sex plays in a relationship, no doubt.

2. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger- This was one of those books that I didn't quite love (or hate) but read to see what the hype was about. While the book is lacking in some ways, I will give Niffenegger credit for creating a true bond between Clare and Henry.

3. High Fidelity by Nick Hornby- Part of romance is rejection, loss, and heartache, which Rob must relive as he gets in touch with old girlfriends. 

4. Skippy Dies by Paul Murray- I just finished this book this morning, and while I do have some issues with it, the love poor Skippy thinks he feels for Lori seems so real. While it may stem from the fact that he is lonely and lacks control of his life, it is a bright spot while he is alive.

5. Daniel Steel- Brace yourself, here comes a confession: back when I was like fourteen I read a lot of Danielle Steel (thanks, Mom). I can't remember many in particular; I think there was one called Zoya I liked, but, frankly, they all blurred into one because they were formulaic and poorly written. But when I think "romance writer" I think of Danielle.

6. A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood- The haunting loss that follows the death of a partner is the subject of this book after George, a gay Englishman, must cope with the grief he's left with after his partner has died. Beautifully written and incredibly genuine.

7. Beauty and the Beast- Fine, maybe it's technically not a novel, but it is a story, and he gives her a library. That's all that needs to be said.

8. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte- Honesty is the best policy when trying to make a relationship last. But sometimes, you have to take one for the team and stay mum about your crazy-ass wife locked in the attic. 

And a few that people consider romantic but really aren't (sorry):

9. Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare: They were emo before emo was cool and then not cool. Killing yourself because someone you barely know is supposedly dead isn't sweet, it's painfully stupid.

 10. The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins: Katniss is not a great romantic heroine that is forced into an epic love triangle, sorry. She's a teenage girl who likes attention, and the dudes are just hormonal and desperate. The whole bunch are whiny and typical.

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Have a really great time posting pictures of the flowers your significant other gets you on Facebook (as opposed to the passive aggressive comments about him/her as usual) and Instagram!

And if you're really trying to get into the spirit, take a look back at last year's posts- Characters I'd Like to... Fondle.