When the Moon Hits Your Eye

This year I am prepared for Valentine's Day. This will be my 3rd Valentine's in a row without a valentine.  The first two years, I will admit, even though I have never been one to revel in exchanging "mandatory" gifts on a holiday, it was a bit lonely.  Maybe I'm stronger, maybe I am remembering that I didn't like this holiday to begin with, maybe I've just given up.  Who knows?

Either way, I am still a sucker for a good love story.  Yes, the silly rom-coms are a nice way to pass the time, but I'm talking, like, for real love story.  I always thought that if I ended up married I would want it to be a good story.  So far, lots of good stories...no happily ever after.  However, this Valentine's Day I am ready.  Thursday night I will be reading The Jungle Book and watching Die Hard. (For realz though, I recently watched Big Fish again and it is quite possibly one of the best love stories ever.  If I hadn't just watched it I would watch it again.  Alas, Die Hard it is.)

So, whether you are like me and your tales of wooing come from a book, or you want to read one to keep feeling the love, here are four five picks just in time for this week's holiday.  Reach out and love someone!

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (YA)

Yes, I know, I know.  I have already recommended this book.  However, I just can't speak highly enough about it.  I was a little bummed when it didn't get an award at the ALAs this year, but I know it has all the right ingredients.  This is Valentine's week however, so let's talk about the love.  Augustus and Hazel, two teenagers who know all too well how cancer can change your life. The book starts by telling us Hazel has terminal cancer so when she falls for Augustus, who she meets at a cancer support group, we are at once delighted and saddened.  This can't end well for them.  Yet John Green writes a relationship that truly captures the meaning of love.  Their modern romance is found in their small exchanges, their text messages, and their quick wit.  It made me feel the way it feels to be loved.  Their relationship is so honest and challenging, and even though you are pretty sure how it is going to end...you can't helping loving the love they share.  *sigh

I loved this so much I kept taking pictures of
the parts that made me *sigh

 

Rosie and Michael by Judith Viorst

I read this book many, many moons ago.  It is not necessarily a gooshy love story but it sure has a lot of love!  Rosie and Michael are best friends.  Their friendship and love is captured through the little things they do for each other.  They take turns telling why they are such good friends.

Michael tells us,  "When my parakeet died, I called Rosie.  When my bike got swiped, I called Rosie.  When I cut my head and the blood came gushing out, as soon as the blood stopped, I called Rosie.  She is my friend."

Rosie, of course, tells us why Michael is her friend.  "When my dog ran away, I called Michael.  When my bike got swiped, I called Michael.  When I broke my wrist and the bone was sticking out, as soon as they stuck it back in, I called Michael.  Michael is my friend."

I love those pages in particular because there are some friends I know I just have to call whenever anything happens.  Thanks, friends, for listening to my rattling on about my students, my cat, and my obsession with overcoming-adversity-through dance movies.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz (YA)

In the spirit of full disclosure, I haven't actually read this book.  However, when my students and I watched the live streaming of the ALAs, this book was on a lot of lists!  It tells the story of two teenage boys struggling to figure out their place in the world.  Amid the story of cultural identity and family struggles, there is the story of love.  Dante is open about his homosexuality but Ari isn't ready to come to terms with his yet.  This is high on my list of books to read.  Love... it may be everywhere but it sure ain't easy!



Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Scott Campbell

My mom loves zombies.  In fact, she made us watch Walking Dead for most of my holiday back home.  Nothin' says lovin' like brains, right?  My mom's obsession is probably why I feel like I am drawn to anything with zombies.  This book came out last year and I knew it was a winner just from the title.  Mortimer is "tall, dead, and handsome," and a lonely zombie who is looking for love with no luck.  He even tries putting an ad in the paper, using his own lyrics for Jimmy Buffet's "If you like Pina Coladas" that starts like this, "If you like taking walks in the graveyard, and falling down in the rain. If you're not into cooking, if you have half a brain."  Yes? Yes!

One of Grimly's beautiful
illustrations

This book reminds me of another ghoulish love story, Boris and Bella by Carolyn Crimi and illustrated by Gris Grimly.  In this story, Bella Legrossi is the messiest monster in Booville and Boris Kleanitoff is disgusted by her.  However, they learn the wonderful art of compromise and fall in love.  Move over Edward and whats-her-face, vampire love is out and monsters are in!


I hope these books send a little love your way.  Happy Valentine's Day!



P.S.  There are more where that came from!  Keep checking our Facebook page this week for other great books!