Flowers and chocolate are sweet, sure, but if you’re constantly finding your Valentine with their nose in a new book, gift them something they can enjoy way past the petals falling off or the box left empty. This Valentine’s Day, you can tell your love just how much you care without having to say a single thing, thanks to these books. From dramatic and serious to cute and whimsical, we’ve got a title for every kind reader, at every stage of their relationship!
1. Until I Find You by John Irving ($14): Here’s a sweeping, wandering novel that takes you on actor Jack Burns’s adventurous life story. His various relationships with women — from his mother and Catholic school girls to his great love — propel the funny and sweet saga of Burns’s life in an evocative and charming way.
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by Audrey Niffenegger ($10): The ultimate modern romance novel, this is a must-read for men and women alike (chick lit, this is not!). The sci-fi, time-traveling slant helps keep it from getting too sappy, while Niffengger’s incredible character development will draw you immediately into Clare and Henry’s love story. Plus, the accompanying movie with Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana is a perfect date night movie idea.
<em>A Moveable Feast</em>
by Earnest Hemingway ($10): Your boo is sure to fall head over heels for Hemingway’s recollections of his time as a writer young and in love in 1920s Paris. He makes the idea of a “starving artist” seem like the most romantic thing in the world. Who knows…maybe you’ll get a trip to the City of Lights out of the gift!
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by Lea Redmond ($15): The romance of the written word is not dead with this super cute booklet full of letter prompts for you to fill out for your special someone. Take the time to write the letters, seal them in their accompanying envelopes and let your love read them at their leisure. “I knew you were the one for me when…” and “What I love about us…” missives will make both of you feel crazy-in-love all over again.
5. Me, You, Us by Lisa Currie ($15): If you’d rather fill out something sweet together, this love-centric workbook from Lisa Currie is just the thing. There’s a place to draw matching tattoos, lists to fill out (“reasons why we’d stay up late together”) and places to recount precious memories. If you’re planning on staying in this Valentine’s Day, this cute book is a perfect way to cozy up!
6. I Love You! Around the World by Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar ($20): If saying it in English just doesn’t fully express how much you love your boo, go ahead and gift them this book from Lisa Swerling and Ralph Lazar for Valentine’s Day.
7. What I Love About Us ($10): With quick, cute prompts on each page: “We’re awesome at…”, “We do….best” and “I love it when we …,” you get to personalize your Valentine to be as sweet or silly as you want. It’s a fun swap for a traditional card that you’ll both want to revisit for years to come.
8. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed ($10): This book of advice will no doubt inspire and captivate your Valentine. It’s full of funny, insightful and useful advice on how to love and live authentically and whole-heartedly.
9. My Life in France by Julia Child ($10): Once you gift Julia Child’s memoir of her time learning to cook in Paris to your love, be prepared to board a plane to France ASAP. Child makes both cooking and Paris seem like magical pursuits, and her deep love and commitment to her husband Paul will melt even the most cynical of hearts.
<em>Fates and Furies</em>
really know someone. Unconditional love, secrets, marriage and personal fulfillment all come into play during the course of Mathilde and Lotto’s life-long love story. It’s sure to be one of the most stirring stories your Valentine will read all year.
<em>Modern Romance</em>
by Aziz Ansari ($18): If you and your boo met on Tinder and communicate mostly through text messaging, Aziz Ansari’s playful, thoughtful look into dating in the Millennial age is definitely a must-read this Valentine’s Day. Ansari worked with a psychologist to demystify dating, and he approaches the subject with a real affection and sincerity that’s impossible not to relate to.
Back in January, we introduced you to a feel-good cause to inspire your New Year's resolution: a walking challenge to help raise funds for the amazing cancer fighters at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I took part in the challenge with the Brit + Co team and ended up walking 105+ miles in January — it was awesome.
This spring, there's a new challenge on the horizon, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Big Climb. The ask: On May 15, 2021, you can step up to take cancer down by committing to climb 1,311 steps, walking 3.2 miles, or doing 440 chair step-ups at home as part of the Big Climb. If you need some motivation to bring movement back into your daily routine — look no further!
As always, it's free to sign up, but climbers are encouraged to set a fundraising goal to help beat cancer. We'll be organizing another Brit + Co team to step up, and I hope you'll join us too! Keep scrolling for a peek at where I'll be completing the challenge in my Los Angeles neighborhood around the hidden Silver Lake Stairs. Happy climbing!
Never underestimate the power of an accountability buddy! I asked my in-laws, my partner, and a few friends to join me so we can keep each other motivated and accountable in completing the challenge — virtual high-fives all around! Also, my dog Fox is a great climber, too.
An aesthetically pleasing backdrop is a huge motivator for me! I'm fortunate to have all sorts of painted steps around my neighborhood to keep the challenge interesting, but you can also keep cool inside with at-home chair step-ups.
Don't forget to share your progress on social — #BigClimb!
Feel free to break the challenge up if you need to by tackling half the distance in the AM and half at sunset. Here's me 1,311 steps later and ready for a break — but, think I earned this one!
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