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What are you looking for on a date this Valentine’s Day? Funny? Check. Excellent conversationalist? Absolutely. Smart, interesting, and makes you feel genuinely connected? Definitely.
Funnily enough, a good book ticks all those boxes. What’s more, there are plenty of fish (errr, books) to choose from—it’s just a matter of finding your perfect match. Here, we suggest ten books that could be your ideal date this February. Plus, we added recommendations on where to date them best.
Alone With You in the Ether by Olivia Blake
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Alone With You in the Ether is about two misfits who fall in love: one is clinically depressed, and the other is a manipulative counterfeit artist. Can you still love and be loved while showing all your real, messy, and broken parts? Can two seemingly incompatible souls find their happily ever after?
Where to date this book: in your favorite cozy cafe.
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
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There’s no room for small talk in Sally Rooney’s 2021 pandemic novel, where two best friends (in their early thirties) navigate life in an overwhelming and imperfect world. In signature Rooney, we get to know these characters piece by piece as the chapters unfold, directing us to the innermost thoughts and inner lives of these young millennials searching for answers. In doing so, the book invites us to be vulnerable like they are. Isn’t that the key to finding healthy and intimate relationships?
Where to date this book: Book an off-grid or remote cabin-style Airbnb, all the more to dive into this introspective novel.
Eleanor & Park (10th Anniversary Edition) by Rainbow Rowell
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Rowell’s debut is the young adult book that will make you remember the magic of first love. Imagine falling in love again and having your heart broken (well, depending on how you interpret the book’s open-ended conclusion). Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Eleanor & Park, one of the best YA books, hasn’t lost its luster and is worthy to be dated again and again.
Where to date this book: a cozy coffee shop where reality melts away—preferably one with unlimited refills because once you start reading, it’s nearly impossible to put down.
Queerly Beloved by Susie Dumond
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If you have a strong craving for tasty baked treats and a charming queer romance, this is the book to savor. Set in Oklahoma before gay marriage was legal, Queerly Beloved follows semi-closeted Amy, a baker in a Christian bakery. When her employers discover she’s queer, she’s fired and forced to reinvent herself—taking on the unexpected role of a bridesmaid for hire. But even as Amy enjoys her new job, how can she keep supporting an institution that’s closed off for people like her and other same-sex couples?
Where to date this book: A bakery cafe, of course!
The Z Word by Lindsay-King Miller
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Chaotic bisexual Wendy is still reeling from her breakup with her ex, Leah, who’s hooking up with some of her friends, her fellow organizers at Pride. But when a zombie apocalypse erupts, Wendy discovers she has bigger problems to tackle. Funny and propulsive, The Z Word is an unabashedly Sapphic zombie adventure you didn’t know you needed.
Where to date this book: a book bar, resplendent with books, and serves coffee, tea, craft beer, and wine.
All About Love by bell hooks
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What is love? It’s not just a feeling or a catchy refrain from a song. The word love encapsulates multitudes and worlds. Celebrated feminist and cultural critic bell hooks dares to probe and go to the heart of it all, offering a compelling path to “return to love”—a vital feat in the increasingly loveless world we live in.
Where to date this book: Even as an easy read, All About Love is a deep dive into cultural criticism. Therefore, it’s best to pick a place to focus, either in your reading nook or the local library.
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Fairies by Heather Fawcett
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Whether you’re single or tired of your situationship, sometimes a sprinkle of magic is all you need. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Fairies blends historical romance, cozy fantasy, and fairytale wonder into one enchanting package. Follow the anti-social, curmudgeonly scholar as she faces off with a dashing, charming archnemesis who might be out to steal her research—or her heart.
Where to date this book: Perfect for a fantasy-themed coffee shop that matches the magical feels of Fawcett’s book. Don’t forget to sip a tasty concoction or two.
Heartburn by Nora Ephron
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Trust the patron saint of romantic comedies (the brains behind You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless and Seattle, and Julie and Julia) to deliver a hearty and sinfully delicious novel. Loosely based on her life, Heartburn follows pregnant cookbook writer Rachel, who finds out her husband is in love with another woman. Interweaving personal stories with recipes, this comic masterpiece proves that revenge is a dish best served cold.
Where to date this book: Imagine dating the late Nora Ephron for Valentine’s. Enjoy her stories and hilarious quips while eating a full-course meal in your favorite fancy restaurant.
Beg, Borrow or Steal by Sarah Adams
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Two feuding second-grade teachers reluctantly team up in this rivals-to-lovers romance, a datable book by Sarah Adams. The story: Emily Walker, a teacher by day and secret romance novelist by night, couldn’t be more miserable when her nemesis, Jack Bennett, a bestselling mystery novelist, returns to town after a failed engagement. But when Emily’s secret side hustle is at risk of being exposed, she’s forced to seek help from the last person she wants to—Jack. Could their animosity spark something more… steamy than they ever imagined?
Where to date this book: at home, during a cozy afternoon or evening, with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
Emma by Jane Austen
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A list of swoony romances won’t be complete without at least one Jane Austen novel. This timeless classic follows our endearing yet meddlesome heroine, Emma, and her evolution from being a misguided girl to a compassionate and self-aware woman. Though written over 200 years ago, Emma’s comedy of errors and swoony romance is arguably Jane Austen’s most perfect novel. Pick this Puffin in Bloom edition featuring Anna Bond’s floral cover illustration.
Where to date this book: a tea salon with scones and a pot of hot aromatic tea.
Happy Valentine’s bookworms! Which of these books will you date? Fully Booked has more Reads about Love on https://www.fullybookedonline.com/blog that you can check out and, hopefully, find a story to fall in love with.
Disclaimer: Article used with permission from Fully Booked
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