Chocolates. Hearts. Red roses. Cherubs and cupids. The Valentine’s week is here with all its trappings.
I came across the concept of Valentine’s Day as a child, all thanks to the Young Children’s Encyclopedia. Back in the early 80s, it was a day that also celebrated love for family and friends. Over the years, it got transformed into a day dedicated to only romantic love. Things have come a full circle now with an inclusive holiday celebrating love and affection for all those who are important to us.
As much as I enjoy reading feel-good books, I am rather picky about romances. There are very few tropes that actually work for me. I abhor the alpha male meets babe in the woods trope. Teaching the ropes some a close second. What I do love are books where the women are unapologetic and kick ass. Alisha Rai, Talia Hibbert, and Jill Shalvis are my favorite romance authors.
If you are a book lover and have been inundated by romance recommendations this Valentine’s week, read on as I share my picks of books that celebrate love but are not romances.
Of Love and Friendship
Every other chick-lit is about the girl gang. Books that celebrate the joy among friends. But there are also some with unique and unlikely friendships that warm the heart.
A Man Call Ove by Fredrik Backman is about a cantankerous grumpy old man, Ove, who wants to be left in peace. A man who wants to commit suicide. But is it also a heartwarming tale of neighborly love that leaves you with a smile on your face.
A young man, an old man, and life’s greatest lessons. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom is about an unconventional friendship between a dying professor and a student. An uplifting read that is also a conversation about mortality.
Books About Self Love
Nothing is more important than loving oneself. There are numerous non-fiction books on self-love. I share my favorite fictions that celebrate oneself. Books that are well worth the hype.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is about love, ambition, and friendship. Evelyn’s personal journey from the 1950s to the late 80s, and the seven husbands along the way. It is loosely based on the life of the Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor. Pick this book if you haven’t already.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is a coming of age story combined with a haunting mystery. And the love of nature. Narrated across two timelines, it is the story of Kya, an abandoned child who finds a home among the marsh and the natural world. Highly readable.
Inundated with romance book recommendations this Valentine's Week. Check out the Books Celebrating Love That Aren’t Romances #Books #ValentinesDay #BohoPonderings Share on XOf Filial and Sibling Love
Love them, hate them, can’t live without them. Family is family after all. Think family and The Bennet Sisters are the first ones that come to mind. Here are my favorite picks celebrating sibling and filial love.
Blood is thicker – and more difficult to get out of the carpet – than water. My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite is a title that grabs your attention. A dark story of two sisters, one a serial killer and the other who covers things up (the enabler).
“There’s no greater show of love and faith than traveling a long distance for somebody.” The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal is the story of three sisters, each with her own secrets, resentments, and particularly the need to break free. The book also discusses significant and hot button topics without being too preachy.
Love For Our Furry Friends
Talking of love, we cannot leave out our furry friends, can we? Two of my favorite picks about the man’s best friend and their unconditional love. If you are a dog lover, I highly recommend the books. If not, do pick them up either way. You will not be left disappointed. Just make sure you have a bunch of tissues handy.
Marley and Me by John Grogan is about a family and their love for Marley, the “world’s worst dog”. A dog who wreaks havoc wherever he goes but has a heart of gold. I am not someone who tears up while reading a book but this one had me in tears by the end.
A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron follows Bailey, a “good dog” who finds his purpose through multiple lives and rebirths. The readers are taken on an eventful journey from a dog’s perspective. An extremely moving book that is funny and endearing.
For The Love of Books
How can a list of book recommendations be complete without discussing the love for books and reading? Two non-fiction books about books that are worth a read.
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman is a tiny yet delightful read. A witty collection of essays that recounts the author’s lifelong love affair with books. Combining libraries to reading out loud. Personal stories, anecdotes and tales about her literary family. A must-read for every bibliophile.
Where I’m Reading From: The Changing World of Books by Tim Parks is a compilation of essays raising some pertinent questions – Do we really need to finish the book we start? Do our family and upbringing influence the books and genres we enjoy? Why is foreign literature considered better than our own country’s? Why does a handful of people get to decide the best books of the year? A fair warning though. The essays can be a bit academic and dry. But definitely worth a read.
What are your picks of books on love that aren’t romances? I would love to hear from you.
Valentine Week Special: Books Celebrating Love That Aren’t Romances @CindyAnnDSilva @nooranand @bugshieldcloths #BlogaberryDazzle #BohoPonderings Share on X
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla, and generously SPONSORED BY Bugshield Clothing – Enjoy Outdoors More!
Photo credit: Canva.com
February 10, 2021 @ 6:25 pm
I enjoyed reading Marley and Me…Apart from that, I am yet to explore books from your list.
I really felt this was a fabulous idea to come up with books that aren’t cliched Valentine’s reading. A refreshing post, indeed!
February 14, 2021 @ 9:20 pm
Thank you Ninu 🙂 . There were just too many romance recommendations going around.
February 10, 2021 @ 10:37 pm
This post is such a treat! I am noting done the names of all the books you mentioned. I have only read A Man Called Ove and Tuesdays With Morrie , off your list.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:21 pm
Thank you so much Mayuri 🙂 I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
February 11, 2021 @ 2:47 am
I have read Tuesdays with More and A Dog’s Purpose. Sometime non-romantic books also conveys a good and deep meaning of love.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:22 pm
Exactly Alpana. I am glad people are now warming up to the fact that Valentine’s is not just about romance.
February 11, 2021 @ 2:47 am
sorry for the typo. Tuesdays with Morrie.
February 11, 2021 @ 10:52 am
Ive read only the first two out of this list Ritu and it’s such an exhaustive one. What a wonderful compilation and idea.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:23 pm
Thank you so much Sonia. 🙂
February 11, 2021 @ 11:42 am
Great! What a delight for Valentine’s week for book lovers. Honestly, I have not read any of them from the list. But yes, your recommendations are always on my top list while picking the books so this time noted down ‘The Untimely Adventures Of Shergill Sisters’ for next month’s read.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:25 pm
Thank you, Archana 🙂 The Shergill Sisters book is an excellent pick. I am sure you would enjoy it.
February 11, 2021 @ 12:36 pm
Wow, what a varied list of books. I read only three of them. “Tuesdays with Morris”, “Marley and Me” and “A Man called Ove”. The Taylor’s book is on my TBR since last year. Will pick it up at the earliest.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:25 pm
Thank you, Suhasini 🙂
February 11, 2021 @ 1:06 pm
have read a few already and adding quite a few to my TBR!
February 14, 2021 @ 9:26 pm
That’s wonderful Harshita. I hope you enjoy them.
February 11, 2021 @ 3:25 pm
Where the Crawdads Sings has been on my list since last year! Looking forward to reading it in the light you have put on it.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:27 pm
That is great Suchita. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
February 12, 2021 @ 6:44 pm
This is a wonderful list of books…I haven’t read any so they are now part of my TBR challenge. Thanks for giving snippets..this really helps.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:27 pm
Thank you Swati 🙂
February 13, 2021 @ 12:04 pm
Out of this list, I have only read Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and heard about a few, others are all new to me thanks for sharing this list, you bibliophile 🙂
February 14, 2021 @ 9:28 pm
It’s a pleasure, Priyanka. I love talking books 🙂
February 13, 2021 @ 1:46 pm
u r so right. these books gives an altogether different meaning to Love on Valentine’s. The list is really exhaustive and includes a variety of books celebrating love.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:29 pm
Exactly Supriti. If the concept of Valentine’s is getting updated, why not the recommendations?
February 13, 2021 @ 1:59 pm
I haven’t read any from your list apart from MARLEY & ME and A DOG’s PURPOSE. Cried buckets.
A well curated list….though the underlying theme is love, each book is very different and celebrates diff kinds of love. Awesome picks. Adding most to my reading list
February 14, 2021 @ 9:31 pm
Thank you Vasumathi 🙂 I loved them both. I hope you enjoy the other ones too.
February 13, 2021 @ 8:09 pm
You are such a voracious reader, Ritu. Amazed at your speed and your reviews. I feel ashamed am not reading anything. I have read Tuesdays with Morrie but I actually found it very tedious.Will look up the rest of the books you have shared on Love.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:32 pm
Thank you Harjeet. Please don’t feel that way. I would suggest picking up the Shergill Sisters book. I am sure you would enjoy it. It is so relatable.
February 13, 2021 @ 8:35 pm
This is a unique concept of books live but not of couple. Each book sounds interesting. I have already read marley and me and even watched the movie being a dog lover myself. You have given a very interesting list to read.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:32 pm
Thank you Shail 🙂
February 13, 2021 @ 9:56 pm
I love your list. I have read them all except Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Your review is awesome about all the books!
February 14, 2021 @ 9:33 pm
That is wonderful, Monidipa. We should get together and discuss them one day. Would love to hear your thoughts.
February 14, 2021 @ 10:15 pm
This is exhaustive list . I m glad to know that these books are giving new meaning to valentine day
February 14, 2021 @ 12:50 pm
This is a nice list. I really liked the Shergill sisters and Dopehri which you are reading now. The others I have read by proxy since you can’t stop talking about them 🙂
February 14, 2021 @ 9:34 pm
Thank you, mother dear 🙂 I get that from you.
February 14, 2021 @ 4:16 pm
I always love your articles full with information about some good books, I haven’t read most of the book mentioned in this post but added in my reading list. Thanks for sharing valuable information with us.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:35 pm
Thank you for your kind words Abha 🙂
February 14, 2021 @ 4:31 pm
This is a wonderful list of books will make a note of these to read.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:36 pm
Thank you Manisha 🙂
March 1, 2021 @ 5:43 pm
I am excited to read this article.You are a great mentor and I appreciate your work.
February 14, 2021 @ 5:53 pm
Some books are really eye catchy. I have also set a goal of reading a few books. Thanks for sharing these nice books with all of us.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:36 pm
Thank you Bhawna. I hope you enjoy them.
February 14, 2021 @ 7:06 pm
I love love love Tuesdays With Morrie. I have read it more than two times. I also recently finished where the crawdad sings and loved the poetic land wordy language used. The seven husbands is on my TBR list… rest of them I am hearing for the first time..
February 14, 2021 @ 9:38 pm
Tuesdays With Morrie is just wonderful. The Seven Husbands…. is fabulous. I am sure you will enjoy it.
February 14, 2021 @ 7:33 pm
That’s a long list to read , thankyou so very much for your compilation !!
February 14, 2021 @ 9:38 pm
Thank you, Aishwarya 🙂
February 14, 2021 @ 9:24 pm
Really great suggestions.. Although I would like to start with the furry friends zone!! Usually they arey fav!!
February 14, 2021 @ 9:39 pm
Excellent choice, Sadvika. Just keep those tissues handy.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:30 pm
I always love your articles full with information about some good books, I haven’t read most of the book mentioned in this post but added in my reading list. Thanks for sharing valuable information with us.
February 14, 2021 @ 9:40 pm
Thank you Yashila 🙂
February 14, 2021 @ 10:20 pm
I am not much of a reader but these book recommendations have given me a list to read. I have watched movie Marley and me and loved it. I am sure the book is also great.
March 3, 2021 @ 5:55 pm
I am so glad to read that, Priyanka 🙂
February 14, 2021 @ 10:54 pm
That is an interesting and exhaustive list of books. Would love to read them and indulge in a different kind of love, that we all need to talk about.
March 3, 2021 @ 5:55 pm
Thank you 🙂
February 15, 2021 @ 12:14 am
What a lovely set of book recommendations as usual. There are so many favorite books here that I have read, re-read and recommended to my friends and family. A man called Ove, Marley & Me, A dog’s purpose, Shergill Sisters, Tuesdays with Morrie all of them brilliant books with amazing plotlines and takeaways for the readers.
March 3, 2021 @ 5:56 pm
Thank you Amritha 🙂
February 15, 2021 @ 12:53 am
I’ve read three from your list and I’m adding the remaining to my TBR. Thank you for curating this wonderful list
March 3, 2021 @ 5:56 pm
Thank you Sindhu 🙂
February 15, 2021 @ 12:01 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this blog on self care books , I am really very motivated to pick one of these ……
March 3, 2021 @ 5:57 pm
My pleasure Arti 🙂 Do check them out.
March 5, 2021 @ 8:05 pm
Hi Ritu, as a fellow bibliophile, I highly recommend the book “An Unnecessary Woman” by Rabih Alameddine. I think you’ll like it.
March 6, 2021 @ 11:23 pm
Thanks for the recommendation, Noor 🙂. Coming from you, I am sure it is going to be a great pick.