Backlist Bump: Valentine’s Day Edition

Backlist Bump is a semi-regular feature where I’ll post mini-reviews about older releases related to a timely theme.

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It’s that time of year again – Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. And whether you believe it’s a corporate holiday designed to have us spend money on chocolates and Hallmark cards, or you’re a devoted follower of Cupid, there’s one thing that can bring all book-lovers together this Valentine’s Day: reading. Maybe you’re looking for a book to give as a gift, or maybe you’d like to do some reading in the spirit of the day. Either way, I’ve got the perfect suggestions for you.

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If you believe in love and magic: 

Landline, by Rainbow Rowell

Landline is about a marriage in trouble. When work forces Georgie to cancel a Christmas trip to see her husband’s family, she doesn’t expect Neal to take the kids and go without her. But he does. While they’re apart a magical phone line may give Georgie what she needs to fix her marriage. The characters in this book are lovable and witty and will have you rooting for them until the end.

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If you want to stay up all night sobbing your eyes out:

The Fault In Our Stars, by John Green

This one is a tear-jerker, so only crack this book if you’re ready for a good cry. The Fault In Our Stars is a young adult novel about Hazel and Gus, two teenagers with cancer who fall in love and bond over an adventure spurred by Hazel’s favourite book. I love that the characters in this novel are so realistic, and Hazel’s relationship with her parents is incredibly written and also heart-breaking.

Bonus: You can watch the movie when you’re done!

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If you like picturing men in kilts:

Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon

If you haven’t read this series yet, you’ve certainly heard about it thanks to the adapted TV show that started last fall. There’s just something about men in kilts that gets people talking. Outlander is the story of Claire Randall, a former British army nurse who gets transported to 1743 Scotland, where she meets Jamie Fraser. Even if you’re a devoted Gabaldon reader, take this opportunity to go back to the first book and read about the start of Jamie and Claire’s love.

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If you think marriage is a form of torture: 

Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn

There’s been a lot of hype about this thriller (and the accompanying movie), and it’s well-deserved. When Amy Dunne disappears, her husband Nick becomes the prime suspect. But there’s more to this marriage than meets the eye. It’s a suspenseful nail-biter, and also the perfect anti-Valentine’s Day read.

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If you celebrate Galentine’s Day:

The Astronaut Wives Club, by Lily Koppel

This is the true story of the wives of the original Mercury Seven astronauts. These wives went through the highs of stardom and the lows of tragedy together, building friendships that would last a lifetime. This is a great read for fans of non-fiction, friendship stories, and space (which, let’s face it, who doesn’t think space is cool).

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What are your Valentine’s Day reads? Any favourite love stories or anti-love stories?