February is just one of those months you have to power through—even die-hard fans o
f cold weather and winter fun are longing for a break this time of year.
Here are several great reads that’ll warm you up and carry you through ‘til summer’s beach fare.
Looking for Alaska
John Green
Green’s “The Fault in our Stars” was heralded as one of the great love stories of the past several years, but go back to the beginning with Green’s debut—a heartwrenching tale of young, true love.
Someone Else’s Love Story
Joshilyn Jackson
Can true love emerge from tragedy? Jackson takes readers on a roller-coaster ride when Shandi Pierce falls for William Ashe—the man who put himself in harm’s way to protect her young son from a bullet.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Terry McMillan
A classic, and if you haven’t read it, this month is the perfect time to pick it up—love, adventure and warm weather all rolled into one. What’s more, a reminder that at some point, a woman has to put herself first.
A Passion for Him
Sylvia Day
“Fifty Shades”? Please. If erotica is your thing (and you know you are, at the very least, curious), try a Sylvia Day series. Love, loss and mystery lie at the heart of this novel—beginning with a knock-your-socks-off kiss.
The Light in the Ruins
Chris Bohjalian
There’s nothing more desperate and lovely than a woman who just cannot let her true love go—even after he’s dead. Murder, deception and the mystery of love that crosses enemy lines make up another marvelous tale from Bohjalian.
Ann Patchett
The trip to the Amazon will be enough to make you break a sweat. Get past the bizarre nature of Dr. Marina Singh’s journey, and you’ll soon want to know: Does she consummate her unrequited love? Or does she just get the heck out of Crazy Town?
Like Water for Chocolate
Laura Esquivel
Another classic, and perfect for a February weekend: Love, chocolate and the warm surroundings of Mexico. Time to run a long, hot bath and tell the kids to make their own lunch.
Guide to Getting It On: A Book About the Wonders of Sex
Paul Joannides
With the most recent edition published in 2012, one of the most popular “manuals” to hit the market has garnered rave reviews and will answer just about any question you have on the deed. There’s more than one way to warm up a cold winter’s night, you know.
