Finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift to show you care can be a tricky endeavor, especially with the gift-giving season having only just passed two months ago. If you’re single, Valentine’s Day can be the perfect time to show someone how you feel about them. Whether you’re shopping for a romantic partner, a best friend, or a special someone who helps make your day better, here are fourteen great reads to share on February 14th.
This post was originally published on GetLiterary.com.
For the fantasy lover who slays their to-do list: Slayer by Kiersten White
You know exactly who I’m talking about—the kind of person who has a to-do list and checks it off with a precision and efficiency that makes you wonder if there’s anything they can’t do. When they finally get a moment to catch their breath and read a good book, they’re looking for kick-ass adventure, and that’s what Slayer provides. A continuation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the book has family drama, supernatural suspense, and a tale of sisterhood and friendship that’s sure to get your valentine to put down their list of chores, at least for one more chapter.
A New York Times bestseller
A Publishers Weekly bestseller
From bestselling author Kiersten White comes a brand-new series set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that introduces a new Slayer as she grapples with the responsibility of managing her incredible powers that she’s just beginning to understand.
Into every generation a Slayer is born…
Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up at the Watcher’s Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers—girls gifted with supernatural strength to fight the forces of darkness. But while Nina’s mother is a prominent member of the Watcher’s Council, Nina has never embraced the violent Watcher lifestyle. Instead she follows her instincts to heal, carving out a place for herself as the school medic.
Until the day Nina’s life changes forever.
Thanks to Buffy, the famous (and infamous) Slayer that Nina’s father died protecting, Nina is not only the newest Chosen One—she’s the last Slayer, ever. Period.
As Nina hones her skills with her Watcher-in-training, Leo, there’s plenty to keep her occupied: a monster fighting ring, a demon who eats happiness, a shadowy figure that keeps popping up in Nina’s dreams…
But it’s not until bodies start turning up that Nina’s new powers will truly be tested—because someone she loves might be next.
One thing is clear: Being Chosen is easy. Making choices is hard.
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For the foodie who can’t resist a good read: Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley
Everyone might be on that Salt, Fat, Heat, Acid trend right now, but your foodie Valentine read that book before the Netflix show even came out. Give them something sweet for their eyes to feast on with this lovingly illustrated book by Lucy Knisley. Knisley chronicles her life in food, highlighting its place in her big moments and how it ties into her own personal worldview. Beyond the appetizing illustrations, each chapter comes with a recipe that your valentine can make to further explore their love of food. Maybe they’ll even share some goodies with you!
For the Netflix rom-com binger: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Admit it—you’ve watched the film adaptation more times than you would like to acknowledge. But whether your valentine was your bingeing buddy for all those viewings, or just hasn’t gotten to it yet, why not surprise them with the book the movie’s based on? Jenny Han’s tale of teen romance is self-aware of the trappings and tropes of the genre and masterfully deals with the sensitive issues of sisterhood, dating, and growing up. And if your valentine is really invested in the adventures of Lara Jean, you can get them the other two books in the series for their birthday.
And once your valentine is done reading the book AND watching the movie (multiple times each!), they can check out other books to enjoy after watching and reading To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before!
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is now a major motion picture streaming on Netflix!
A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021)
Lara Jean’s love life gets complicated in this New York Times bestselling “lovely, lighthearted romance” (School Library Journal) from the bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series.
What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?
Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.
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For the reader who’s always going for the goal: Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Even if you’re not a big fan of sports, everyone can get behind rooting for the underdog. And if your valentine is the kind who will always cheer at the end of Rudy or Remember the Titans, then this is the book to give them this February. Beartown’s one last hope is their junior ice hockey team, but a terrible act will throw all of that into jeopardy. Told from multiple perspectives, Beartown is as much about the people as the sport, and will have even the most cynical readers on their feet. And if your valentine is looking for more, there is a sequel already out called Us Against You.
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For the one who loves sci-fi with pertinent social commentary: An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
Does your valentine spend their weekends bingeing Doctor Who and Star Trek? Then it’s clear they are looking to a better and brighter future, while still thinking critically about the issues of today. Hank Green’s debut novel fits the bill for this sci-fi fan, as it looks at the downsides of Internet fame. The story begins when April May finds a mysterious robot in samurai armor, and decides to upload a video of herself interacting with it. The next day, hundreds of the robots appear across the globe, and April May is caught in the crosshairs of a sci-fi mystery and international intrigue. Ultimately, though, she discovers something fundamental about humanity.
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For the reader who loves a story with dark twists and turns: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
For the daring bibliophile in your life who gets energized by thrillers, Lisa Jewell’s tale of a mother’s hunt for her missing daughter will have them glued to the page. A decade after her daughter goes missing, Laurel meets a charming singer with a nine-year-old daughter who looks uncannily like her child did at that age. From there, a series of events unfold that have Laurel, and the reader, second-guessing all they knew. From the haunting language to the desperation of a mother still searching for her child, your valentine will be hooked.
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“A riveting thriller.” —PopSugar
“Sharply written with twists and turns.” —Library Journal
“An acutely observed family drama with bone-chilling suspense.” —People
Ellie Mack was the perfect daughter. She was fifteen, the youngest of three. Beloved by her parents, friends, and teachers, and half of a teenaged golden couple. Ellie was days away from an idyllic post-exams summer vacation, with her whole life ahead of her.
And then she was gone.
Now, her mother Laurel Mack is trying to put her life back together. It’s been ten years since her daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only months since the last clue in Ellie’s case was unearthed. So when she meets an unexpectedly charming man in a café, no one is more surprised than Laurel at how quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she knows it, she’s meeting Floyd’s daughters—and his youngest, Poppy, takes Laurel’s breath away.
Because looking at Poppy is like looking at Ellie. And now, the unanswered questions she’s tried so hard to put to rest begin to haunt Laurel anew. Where did Ellie go? Did she really run away from home, as the police have long suspected, or was there a more sinister reason for her disappearance? Who is Floyd, really? And why does his daughter remind Laurel so viscerally of her own missing girl?
For the history buff who craves adventure: The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton
If your valentine lives for historical British murder-mystery shows, then this book will have no problem holding their attention. A young archivist named Elodie finds a mysterious satchel with a photograph and a sketch, but what she doesn’t know is how these two things will help her uncover a mystery started 150 years prior. A tale of love, murder, and intrigue, The Clockmaker’s Daughter is a delectable mix of history and enigma that will keep your valentine guessing right to the very end.
For the reader obsessed with meet cutes and missed connections: One Day in December by Josie Silver
Whether your valentine believes in fate, destiny, karma, kismet, or just the power of connection, One Day in December is going to have them head over heels in love. The book follows two people who meet up ten times throughout the course of their lives. Laurie first sees Jack when they lock eyes through a bus window, but it’s enough to convince her he’s the one. Too bad the next time they meet, he’s introduced to her as her best friend Sarah’s boyfriend. Across the ever-twisting tides of time, this book follows the duo as they reconnect over and over, trying to figure out just how to define their relationship.
For the reader who lives for coziness: The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking
Cozy sweater? Check. Fluffy blanket? Check. Masterfully made cup of cocoa? Check. If any of these items on the ultimate comfy guide reminds you of your valentine, then this book is the perfect read for a night in. What is hygge? It’s described as “the art of creating intimacy to coziness of the soul to taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things,” i.e., peak comfort. Written by the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute (yes, that’s a real place!), this book aims to get readers to put a little more hygge into their lives through everyday changes that will make them happier.
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For the one who loves to laugh a lot: The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
Sometimes, all you need to get you through a cold February is a funny read that will have you rolling in your seat during your commute. And if anyone knows comedy, it’s Tiffany Haddish. As she recounts her rough childhood spent in foster care—and making money as a mascot and a for-hire hype woman— Haddish marries truth to humor in a unique and powerful way. These tales will have your valentine laughing at every misadventure while admiring this powerful comedian’s rise to well-deserved fame.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“An inspiring story that manages to be painful, honest, shocking, bawdy and hilarious.” —The New York Times Book Review
From stand-up comedian, actress, and breakout star of Girls Trip, Tiffany Haddish, comes The Last Black Unicorn, a sidesplitting, hysterical, edgy, and unflinching collection of (extremely) personal essays, as fearless as the author herself.
Growing up in one of the poorest neighborhoods of South Central Los Angeles, Tiffany learned to survive by making people laugh. If she could do that, then her classmates would let her copy their homework, the other foster kids she lived with wouldn’t beat her up, and she might even get a boyfriend. Or at least she could make enough money—as the paid school mascot and in-demand Bar Mitzvah hype woman—to get her hair and nails done, so then she might get a boyfriend.
None of that worked (and she’s still single), but it allowed Tiffany to imagine a place for herself where she could do something she loved for a living: comedy.
Tiffany can’t avoid being funny—it’s just who she is, whether she’s plotting shocking, jaw-dropping revenge on an ex-boyfriend or learning how to handle her newfound fame despite still having a broke person’s mind-set. Finally poised to become a household name, she recounts with heart and humor how she came from nothing and nowhere to achieve her dreams by owning, sharing, and using her pain to heal others.
By turns hilarious, filthy, and brutally honest, The Last Black Unicorn shows the world who Tiffany Haddish really is—humble, grateful, down-to-earth, and funny as hell. And now, she’s ready to inspire others through the power of laughter.
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For the one who reads under the covers: In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
We all know that reader who stays up late at night, reading stories that will give them nightmares but chooses to plow through anyway. Lenora Shaw goes to a bachelorette party in a cute little house in the English woods. However, those woods don’t seem so innocent when the sun goes down. When Lenora wakes up in a hospital room with police posted at her door, she has to piece together what happened at the party, and the role she played in it all. If your valentine is the kind of reader who delights in the darkness and can’t help but read through the night, this book will win a special place in their heart.
AUTHOR OF THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, AND LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER
SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
* An NPR Best Book of the Year * A ShelfAwareness Best Book of the Year * An Entertainment Weekly Summer Books Pick * A Buzzfeed “31 Books to Get Excited About this Summer” Pick * A Publishers Weekly “Top Ten Mysteries and Thrillers” Pick * A BookReporter Summer Reading Pick * A New York Post “Best Novels to Read this Summer” Pick * A Shelf Awareness “Book Expo America Buzz Book” Pick *
What should be a cozy and fun-filled weekend deep in the English countryside takes a sinister turn in Ruth Ware’s suspenseful, compulsive, and darkly twisted psychological thriller.
Sometimes the only thing to fear…is yourself.
When reclusive writer Leonora is invited to the English countryside for a weekend away, she reluctantly agrees to make the trip. But as the first night falls, revelations unfold among friends old and new, an unnerving memory shatters Leonora’s reserve, and a haunting realization creeps in: the party is not alone in the woods.
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For the reader who seeks out narratives from empowered women: Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
The essays of Roxane Gay have always been powerful forays into difficult and nuanced topics, but her book on her own body is perhaps the most intimate and introspective. Gay discusses the history of her body, guiding readers through the hard-won battles of understanding herself and others, through those desires and anxieties we all share. Definitely a must-have if your valentine is the kind of reader looking to ask themselves some deep questions and engage with this powerful voice, who is changing how we think.
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For the reader who believes love conquers all: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis
Some of us are hopeless romantics, believing that love can make us better and stronger. If your valentine is the kind of person who has faith in the ties that bind, Five Feet Apart is the perfect gift. The book follows two teens with cystic fibrosis, an illness which means they have to adhere to a rigorous care regime and stay away from others in order to stay healthy. So, of course, they fall in love, even when they know they shouldn't. Navigating love, loss, and living with a chronic illness, this story is sure to bring on the feels.
BONUS: You can watch the movie starring Cole Sprouse (of Riverdale) and Haley Lu Richardson in March!
Now a major motion picture starring Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson!
In this #1 New York Times bestselling novel that’s perfect for fans of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, two teens fall in love with just one minor complication—they can’t get within a few feet of each other without risking their lives.
Can you love someone you can never touch?
Stella Grant likes to be in control—even though her totally out of control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. At this point, what Stella needs to control most is keeping herself away from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions.
The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. He couldn’t care less about his treatments, or a fancy new clinical drug trial. Soon, he’ll turn eighteen and then he’ll be able to unplug all these machines and actually go see the world, not just its hospitals.
Will’s exactly what Stella needs to stay away from. If he so much as breathes on Stella she could lose her spot on the transplant list. Either one of them could die. The only way to stay alive is to stay apart. But suddenly six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment.
What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts from breaking too?
Do you know someone who always tells the best stories? Or maybe someone who is obsessed with myths and lore? Look no further for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift: A Cathedral of Myth and Bone is a short story anthology that will satisfy both. From a tale about saints of the sidewalk, to a unique retelling of the Arthurian legend in the last place you’d expect—each story brings with it a sense of wonder and terror, putting its characters in awe of the powers of legend. This is an engaging read that your valentine will devour and, in turn, want to share with others.
From the acclaimed author of Roses and Rot— a “Brothers Grimm tale for the contemporary reader” (School Library Journal, starred review)—Kat Howard’s exquisite shorter works, nominated for the World Fantasy Award, and performed on WNYC's Selected Shorts.
Kat Howard has already been called a “remarkable writer” by Neil Gaiman and her “dark and enticing” (Publishers Weekly) debut novel, Roses and Rot, was beloved by critics and fans alike.
Now, you can experience her collected shorter works, including two new stories, in A Cathedral of Myth and Bone. In these stories, equally as beguiling and spellbinding as her novels, Howard expands into the enchanted territory of myths and saints, as well as an Arthurian novella set upon a college campus, “Once, Future,” which retells the story of King Arthur—through the women’s eyes.
Captivating and engrossing, and adorned in gorgeous prose, Kat Howard’s stories are a fresh and stylish take on fantasy. “Kat Howard seems to possess a magic of her own, of making characters come alive and scenery so vivid, you forget it exists only on the page” (Anton Bogomazov, Politics and Prose).
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