Monniblog

In celebration of Hallmark Day Valentine’s Day, 49th Shelf is crowd-sourcing a list of Books that Feel The Love. They write, “we are highlighting a list of books that celebrate love in whichever way you define it—hot, passionate, blinding love; heartbreaking, desperate, unrequited love; love that simply makes your heart beat a little faster.”

Some obvious love stories come to mind such as the collection of short stories, Desire in Seven Voices by Lorna Crozier, but to me, I prefer more unconventional stories of love, bonding, and trust. Here are a few (with links to my reviews):

• Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
  — A woman approaches a recent burn victim and tells him that they were lovers in the fourteenth century: this is their story.
• Tangles : a story about Alzheimer’s, my mother, and me by Sarah Leavitt
  — A graphic novel about the love between a mother and daughter, through tough times
• The Birth House by Ami McKay
  — About the love and support shared between a community of women in a time where females were not equal.
• The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews
  — About the love of family, even through difficulty and disagreements
• The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
  — About the love and connection between a young man and man’s best friend, his dog.
• February by Lisa Moore
  — About a woman coping with the loss of her husband and the affect it has on her and her loved ones.
• Room by Emma Donoghue
  — The love between a mother and son
• Good To A Fault by Marina Endicott
  — About the love that can bloom between strangers
• The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff
  — About a different type of love: religion, community, and polygamy

49th Shelf is giving away $150 to the lucky winner for the bookstore of their choice. Contest closes midnight on Thursday, February 14 (tomorrow) and the winner will be announced on Friday, February 15. There are 3 ways to enter via Facebook, Twitter, and commenting on 49th Shelf (click for details). The hashtag for Twitter and Facebook is #cdnbooklove.