It’s been a long cold winter. But there’s something about Valentine’s Day that can lift your spirits and keep them going until spring. Red roses, chocolates, and decorative hearts are everywhere. It’s a feel good holiday that makes me yearn for a good love story. Everyone has their favorites, but here a few that book clubs have embraced.
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan is a love story and a whole lot more. This historical novel is the story of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney, one of his clients. Their scandalous love affair and the choices they made will provide your club with much to discuss. Due out this week is another novel about Frank Lloyd Wright and the four women he loved, The Women by T.C. Boyle. If you would like to find out more about this creative genius and his scandal filled life, be sure to read this one.
Audrey Niffeneger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife is part love story, part science fiction. Clare and Henry attempt to live a normal life even as their lives are disrupted by Henry’s time travel disorder. Their love endures in this unusual and enchanting story.
For a male perspective on the love story, James Collins’ Beginner’s Greek would make a good choice for book clubs. This first novel by journalist Collins is a romantic comedy about missed opportunities. Although it has a contemporary setting, fans of Jane Austen will enjoy it too.
One of my favorite books from 2008 is Marisa de los Santos’ Belong to Me. Although some may call it ‘chick lit’, the author’s beautiful writing style and well developed characters have great appeal. Can anyone ever really ‘belong’ to another person? Read this book with your book club and see what you think. Love Walked In, Ms. De los Santos’ first novel, is another sweet love story. The characters she created for this book, Cornelia, Teo and Clare, are also central to Belong to Me, but the story stands on its own and can be read without having read Love Walked In. I think you’ll enjoy them both.
So for your next book club selection, why not make it a romantic choice. Love comes in all shapes and sizes and there’s a love story out there for everyone. If you need more suggestions then don’t forget, on Friday, February 13th the Westport Public Library will hold it’s first Booklover’s Bash. Come and share your favorites with other booklovers and enjoy an evening of conversation and the celebration of books and reading. Hope to see you there. Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!
