Monday, February 13, 2017

Staff Picks - Unlikely Love Stories

My favorite love stories always defy conventional romance. Some end happily but more often things take a tragic course. You’ll find some unlikely authors on my list, starting with Stephen King who made the list twice.

The Wizard and Glass by Stephen King

Book IV in the epic Dark Tower series contains what is chronologically the first book in the long, twisted tale of Roland Deschain, gunslinger of Gilead. In a flashback which becomes the bulk of the book, Roland relives the greatest tragedy of his life. Long before becoming a tough guy, young Roland fell passionately in love. For fans of the series, The Wizard and Glass sheds light on Roland’s damaged psyche. For fans of romantic fantasy the book contains an unforgettable stand-alone love story.

Bag of Bones by Stephen King

Strange happenings, a vengeful spirit, plenty of suspense, and grief that blossoms into new love make Bag of Bones by Stephen King one of my favorite love stories. Who knew the master of horror was such a romantic?


The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan

In The Lover's Dictionary, David Levithan very creatively deconstructs the ups and downs of a volatile relationship. Definitions from “aberrant” to “zenith” frame the novel and offer an insightful take on modern love.  

The Rosie Project by Graeme C. Simsion

This unlikely romance is laugh out loud funny due to the antics of Don Tillman, a genetics professor who approaches his quest for love from a completely scientific standpoint.   


Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Young love blossoms between Winnie Foster and a mysterious young man she finds in the woods. Though their time together is brief, Jesse Tuck and Winnie face more obstacles than most of us could ever imagine. 
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic characters and evocative storytelling make this novel of fatal flaws and tangled romances a larger-than-life classic.



Ayn Rand’s 1957 masterpiece spawned a philosophical movement that continues to gain converts today. Philosophy aside, the passionate affair between Dagny Taggart and the unstoppable Hank Rearden was what I found most engaging about this story.

 East of Eden by John Steinbeck

This epic and evocative family saga contains the quintessential love triangle -- two brothers in love with the same woman. But behind her beauty lies deadly intent! 
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

In a novel that transcends the soap opera gimmick, amnesia offers a troubled marriage a second chance. Hope, faith, and family take center stage in this compelling love story.

Happy Valentine’s Day and happy reading!

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist