“You are the answer to every prayer I’ve offered. You are a song, a dream, a whisper, and I don’t know how I could have lived without you for as long as I have.”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
February 14th is around the corner, and with it, the perfect excuse to do something special with your Valentine. Maybe you’ll go out for a meal or dinner, perhaps you’ll deliver flowers or chocolates, and you probably haven’t decided what to wear yet. However, what you know for sure is that a book is a great way to convey how you feel.
But what kind of book to choose? First we need to know what your Valentine feels for you. Is it your crush? Your partner? An ex? Don’t worry, no matter the case, we’ve got you covered! That’s why we’ve put together this list of best book recommendations for gifting to your Valentine, considering the most likely scenarios:
1. Your Valentine doesn’t know how you feel (yet)
Maybe you’re really not that close to each other, and you want to use Valentine’s Day to express your true feelings; you want to be seen as a contender hoping to win that lonely heart, right? In that case, a book with 150 chocolate dessert recipes to prepare together —cakes, cookies, muffins, brownies, and much more—is the gift you’re looking for! With Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn, your Valentine will melt (in a good way), and you’ll have 150 new reasons to see each other over and over.
2. You want a second chance
Second chances make great love stories! So things didn’t work out last time, but the time you’ve spent apart has allowed you to reflect, and you believe you’ve both grown and matured, so perhaps it’s time to give it another shot. The Book of Two Ways is a fascinating exploration of life, love, and regrets, raising the question of how life might have turned out if different choices had been made. Jodi Picoult has written 30 novels, with the last 8 debuting at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. When things work out this time, you’ll have the next gifts in your relationship already sorted. 😉
3. You want to declare your love!
You’re good friends, know each other well, but you haven’t gathered the courage to make your feelings known. The Notebook will make it clear your commitment is for life! Noah’s struggle—to win Allie’s heart through multiple heartfelt declarations—will conquer your beloved’s heart.
4. You want a serious relationship
You’ve been dating for a while, having a great time, and think it’s time to take things to the next level. What better way to send that message than The Everything New Puppy Book: Choosing, Raising, and Training Your New Best Friend? You’ll both learn everything you need to know about dogs, from choosing the best breed for your lifestyle to correcting common behavior problems. It might just be the perfect kick-starter for prompting your Valentine to imagine a future with you (and a pup!).
5. You’re ready for the big Q!
Maybe it’s time to pop the question. Maybe “someone” is taking a bit too long. Maybe you want to hint that long-awaited date should be sooner, not later. Ideas for Great Kitchens — a Sunset Books guide with fresh ideas for a variety of kitchen styles—might just jumpstart that conversation. Talk about kitchens, end up building the house and life of your dreams!
6. You want to add some excitement
You love your partner, you have an incredible relationship, and you want to propose something different: go on a trip, embark on an adventure, try new things together. If that’s the case, we’d recommend 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler’s Life List. This book will take you to Venice’s Cipriani Hotel, the Lewis and Clark Trail in Oregon, the Great Wall of China, and hundreds more of the most essential places to visit around the world. It offers information on each location and the best time to visit. It’s a must-have by Patricia Schultz that has sold more than three million copies.
7. You already have it all!
Your love story surpasses all others and you wouldn’t change it for anything. Kudos to you! How about adding some humor with a mystery-thriller book that will grab your love from beginning to end? The False Inspector Dew, a cleverly written novel by Peter Lovesey, kicks off with an affair and a murder. Read its twists and turns together, and share your suspicions, deductions, and predictions.
We hope these ideas help you find the perfect gift for that special someone. And don’t forget you can easily trade them at swampum.com!
Also, if you know your Valentine’s type and likes, visit us to find more options. Or check out the subreddits and TikTok accounts below. These communities are very helpful, and you just have to ask (nicely) to get some great personalized recommendations.
Subreddits:
r/BookDiscussions
r/booksuggestions
r/suggestmeabook
r/BooksThatFeelLikeThis is a forum where you get suggestions based on a picture, if you want to give it a shot
TikTok accounts:
@aymansbooks
@williampdozier
@jackbenedwards
Happy Valentine’s Day! We hope yours is amazing.
