Happy Valentine’s Day! I don’t think today’s festivities need any introduction. However, I would like to clarify that Valentine’s Day is not only for those lucky enough to spend it with their soulmate but for everyone! Love isn’t only found between two people, love can be expressed to friends, family, ourselves, and even our beloved fluffy animal friends. As someone who doesn’t love (pun fully intended) romance novels, I wanted to share some books that aren’t centered around the typical love story. So today I bring you, some amazing non-traditional Valentine’s Day tales!
First off, I wanted to discuss one of the most important forms of love, self-love. Love is often seen as something that is given to others, yet in “Self-Esteem: The Puzzle of Low Self-Regard” by Roy F. Baumeister, you can read about the complexities of self-esteem. Baumeister, a renowned social psychologist, brings together research from various disciplines to analyze the causes and consequences of self-esteem issues. He challenges popular self-help narratives, arguing that artificially boosting self-esteem does not always lead to positive outcomes. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of understanding self-esteem’s role in motivation, behavior, and well-being.
In the current day, it is common across the United States for studies on sexuality to be cut from the curriculum, sometimes leading to the misunderstanding of sexuality. More specifically, this is often seen in the lack of discussion on women’s sexuality, which is exactly what Beth Montemurro explores in, “Deserving Desire.” Based on in-depth interviews, the book examines the cultural messages women receive about sex, how they navigate relationships, and how they assert their sexual autonomy over time. Montemurro challenges stereotypes that confine female desire to youth and emphasizes that women’s sexual identities continue to evolve. The book is a thoughtful exploration of gender, intimacy, and empowerment.
Perhaps even less discussed is the intersections of queerness and Blackness and how they too change the perspective of love. Cookie Woolner’s “The Famous Lady Lovers” is a historical study that sheds light on the often-overlooked lives of Black queer women from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, before the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Woolner explores the public and private lives of these women—performers, activists, and intellectuals—who openly engaged in same-sex relationships despite societal repression. By drawing on archival research, letters, and media reports, this book highlights the resilience and visibility of Black queer communities in early American history.
Diving more into the queer focus of romance, we turn to “Queer Nature: A Poetry Anthology” by Michael Walsh. This anthology brings together poets who explore the intersection of queerness and the natural world. The collection features voices from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, offering meditations on identity, love, and the environment. Themes of transformation, survival, and the fluidity of nature mirror queer experiences, creating a powerful dialogue between the personal and the ecological.
Next is another closer look at specific relationship dynamics, this time focusing on interracial relationships in “Love’s Revolution: Interracial Marriage” by Maria P. P. Root. Root’s sociological study delves into the experiences of interracial couples, focusing on how they navigate race, identity, and societal perceptions. Based on interviews and research, the book examines the challenges these couples face—including discrimination and cultural differences—while also celebrating the resilience and transformative power of love across racial boundaries. Root’s work is both a scholarly analysis and a deeply personal look at how love can transcend societal norms.
And as I mentioned in the beginning, of course, we also need to express our love for animals. “Awe for the Tiger, Love for the Lamb: A Chronicle of Sensibility to Animals” by Rod Preece explores the history of human attitudes toward animals, tracing how different cultures have viewed and treated them over centuries. He examines philosophical, religious, and literary perspectives on animals, from reverence to exploitation. The book provides insight into the ethical debates surrounding animal rights and our evolving relationship with the natural world.
Now, for those looking for a leisurely read this Valentine’s Day, try “Monster in the Middle” by Tiphanie Yanique. This novel explores love and generational trauma through the interconnected lives of two characters, Fly and Stela. Spanning decades and multiple locations, from the Caribbean to the U.S., the story traces how family histories, cultural influences, and personal struggles shape their romantic relationship. Yanique’s storytelling weaves elements of history, race, and migration into a deeply moving examination of love, identity, and emotional inheritance.
Another novel, one that I saw the movie for and only realized after was based on a novel is the famous “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn. This psychological thriller follows the disappearance of Amy Dunne and the media frenzy that ensues. Her husband, Nick, becomes the prime suspect, but as the narrative unfolds, told in alternating perspectives from Nick and Amy, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems. The novel is a masterful exploration of manipulation, toxic relationships, and the ways people construct and control narratives about themselves. I loved this movie and only wish I had read the book first!
And finally, a book that I just started reading at the beginning of this month, “The Haunting of Alejandra” by V. Castro. This book is probably the least, love-related of all the ones I have mentioned thus far, being a chilling blend of horror and folklore. This novel follows Alejandra, a woman struggling with depression and a sense of disconnection from her life as she struggles to find comfort in her family. As she experiences eerie visions of a ghostly woman, she uncovers a dark family curse rooted in La Llorona, the weeping woman of Mexican folklore. Castro’s novel explores themes of generational trauma, motherhood, and reclaiming personal power in the face of haunting legacies.
This may not have been the list that you were expecting to read on February 14, but I hope that there is at least one book or novel that you are able to fall in love with this Valentine’s Day!
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