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Curl up with one of these books and enjoy the magic of romance!
According to the Romance Writers of America, “Two basic elements comprise every romance novel: a central love story and an emotionally-satisfying and optimistic ending.”
HERE IS MY LIST OF 8 ROMANTIC BOOKS TO READ:
- Rebecca. Daphne du Maurier. A classic best-seller, selling 2,829,313 copies between its publication in 1938 and 1965. Never been out of print. Manderley. Read it again.
- The Little Paris Bookshop. Nina George. Mr. Perdu, owner of a floating book store on the Seine, prescribes a perfect romantic book for all his brokenhearted clients. He can’t however, mend his own broken heart. Everything you want in a book about books, Paris, the South of France where he goes to find himself, and romance.
- The Notebook. Nicholas Sparks. In the early 1900’s Allie and Noah have a beautiful summer romance, but social standing pulls them apart. They reconnect years later, but Allie is engaged. Is it too late? A sweet romance with a memorable back story.
- The Time Traveler’s Wife. Audrey Niffenegger. An unpredictable page turner, Clare falls for Henry, but he is a time traveler with no control over when he leaves or where he ends up on his timeline of life.
- P.S. I Love You. Cecelia Ahern. This one needs tissues or one of our antique handkerchiefs, at the least. Holly’s beloved Gerry dies, and she isn’t sure she can go forward. But then Holly finds a stack of letters written by Gerry, one for every month after he is gone. Â A rewarding journey of life, love and the pursuit of happiness.
- Water for Elephants. Sara Gruen. Trust me on this. Even if you have seen the movie, get the book. The story of Jacob, an animal caretaker, and Marlena, a beauty who works in the circus. They have the love of an elephant in common, this is a captivating Great Depression era love story.
- The Remains of the Day. Kazoo Ishiguro. Stevens, an aging butler has performed his job perfectly for over three decades, learns what love is all about in the twilight of his years. Romantic, this is a fine literary novel.
- Moonlight Over Paris. Jennifer Robson. Lady Helena Montagu-Douglas-Parr flees to Paris, to shed her aristocratic title, and becomeMs. Parr. Â A beautiful description of Paris, the City of Light, and the story of Ms. Parr pursuing her life long dream of becoming an artist. Of course there is a man, Sam Howard, dangerously attractive.
Pour a cup of tea, and add chocolate….or a few French Macarons…and settle in for a delicious hour or more transported to another world!
Plates ; Cups; MOP Dessert Set
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ROMANTIC BOOK TO READ?Â
What a terrific list, though I’m sure I’d have to add some of my favorite Jane Austen books. Certainly I’ll be reading several of these titles.
I found old copies of Madame Bovary plus Devil Water and Dragonwyck by Anya Seton. I read and re-read them all the time. Actually, anything by Anya Seton is great romance reading.
What a lucky find, Carol. I agree, anything by Anya Seton is great romantic reading!
Love the post today, Lidy, and the wonderful list of novels– some which I have read and those which I now want to read. There are many things that I enjoy about your writing, but I think what I appreciate most are the joy and interest which you bring to each topic and then convey to your readers.
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Love, Janet in San Antonio
Than you so much, Janet. I love reading a good book, don’t you? I appreciate your kind words…hope
you are having a beautiful February in San Antonio!
Thanks Lory! I’m always on the hunt for a good read and have read five of those on your list. Now to those remaining! Now I need some macaroons. Please tell me how I can make those a protein snack!
X0, Ginger
Lidy, my iPad defaulted to Lory. I promise it was Siri’s fault and not mine! She gets me in more trouble!
Ginger, that naughty Siri! Even without her I get into plenty of trouble
with that pesky auto spell! 🙂 Have a happy weekend!
I am always in the mood for a sweet book that will take me away to my favorite city in the world, Paris. You have inspired me to buy a couple of these that I have not read. Now, all we need is a bit of real winter in Dallas so I have an excuse to sit by the fire and sip on a cup of tea and read the day away ?
Pam, that sounds like a perfect way to spend the day. Wishing for both of us that we have the weather and make the time to do this. Happy weekend, friend!
Can’t wait to get a couple of these books to read.
Evelyne, it’s absolutely the most wonderful way to spend some time, isn’t it, to immerse yourself in a great book?
A wonderful list. I have read a few of them, but I took note of the ones I haven´t, and they´re on my Wish List. Thank you.
The Notebook. Oh yes!
Thank you, thank you. Thank you! Ordered the Little Paris Bookshop today on my kindel. I am in the mist of recharging it at this very minute. My Saturday night is going to be devine because I am going to hide away and indulge myself in a good book. Can’t wait!! I owe you for this list .
I hope you love this book, Alice…truth is, I’m still reading it too! I’m not at the end of the story, but I think it is a lovely read!
Thank you so much for the reading list! They all sound so good I’m going to keep myself busy.
P.S, Bridges of Madison County is my favorite.
Romance is in the air who can resist a good book! Please enter me into the drawing.
Thanks, Denise
Thank you, Lidy, for the chance to expound upon the Outlander Series, a beautiful love story of a married couple that spans two centuries. A love story,sometimes graphic; a series of breathtaking adventures on land and sea, encompassing generations of families in Scotland,in an America about to be born, France, the Carribean, et al . Written by Diana Gabaldon over the last 20 years, the tomes of 8 books ( 800 to 900 pages each or more)are historical, romantic, adventuresome, with a bit of fantasy sprinkled in. Truly, I find them spellbinding! Ms Gabaldon has found the secret that all novelists must search for…..each book leaves its reader craving more. The third season of the TV series will air soon; however, the television series does not measure up to the novels. I am on my third read of the books. Her ninth book is to be completed by 2018, I believe. If you love to get lost in a book…this series is for you.
Joyce, I might be the only woman in America who has not watched the tv show, so I think I will start with the books, as you suggest! Thank you!
How about ‘A Thousand Days in Venice’, followed by ‘A Thousand Days in Tuscany’, followed by ‘The Lady in the Palazza’. All are by Marlena de Blasi. A real life romance with cooking and travel. Perfect for me, the armchair romantic foody.
Loved Water for Elephants.
Another favorite: Under the Wide and Starry Sky.
Excellent read!
Thank you for this reading list, Lidy. It seems that when I am involved in a great novel, I can hardly put it down for anything. And when it is finished, I miss the characters, who seem to have become like close friends. I admit that when I read “Jane Eyre” the cooking, cleaning, laundry and such were sorely neglected. Can’t wait to read “The Little Paris Bookshop”. Sounds intriguing.
Love the Audrey Hepburn quote. She was such a gem!
Wonderful suggestions! Also: Remembrances of Things Past by Proust (it took me three years to read all the books, even in English, but it was SUCH a pleasure); almost anything by Colette; The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford
Pinning this list for sure! I’m reading The Little Paris Bookshop right now and love it. 🙂
I would have to put Daphne du Maurier’s Frenchman’s Creek as my #1 pick followed by Rosamunde Pilcher’s The Shell Seekers. Now I will have to find the couple on your list that I haven’t read. I think I’ll begin with Moonlight Over Paris. Thanks for the recommendations! We are having some winter weather on Cape Cod so a good time to curl up with a good book! Thanks Lidy!
Diane, I’ve never read that! I love that, while I was trying to give you suggestions, the real blessing is that I’m getting to hear about books I haven’t read yet! Thank you!
Hi, Lidy,
I have enjoyed a few of the books above but love THE NOTEBOOK and I have seen so many times and such a love story, it is playing on tv here this week so I will be curled up hankie in hand and a cup of tea in the other~~~~~~~~Have a very HAPPY VALENTINES DAY~~~~~~~~~~~
Bonjour, Jean~~~~~~~
I love your list of romantic books!
I have read several of them; and
look forward to more romantic reads!
Also love your romantic settings in pink. Wonderful!
Thank you Julie. Reading is such a great way to spend free time, isn’t it?
I will visit the library for a few of these suggestions this week. They will be great to read with a cup of tea.
Gloria, these are perfect to read with a cup {or a few!} of tea.
Thanks! I need some like this. I’ve been so very serious for way too long. Some fantasy would make each day better, I think!
Love, love, love your blogspot. Lightens my day every time I read it. Thx Pat
Thank you for your list. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman would not be considered a romance, but the story of love between a husband and wife was very touching to me. Thanks also for the parade of beautiful things you bring to my Inbox each week.
I am so crushing on that setting for tea. Everything is just exquisite and LOVE that mug!!! Great list of romantic classics! I would have to say that The Notebook is one of my favorite modern day romance novels!
And of course love the movie!!