Valentine's Day Tips (for the bookish soul)

I couldn't resist the creepy gif.

Happy Valentine's Day! If you find yourself alone today and wanting something to do or feeling like you have to "celebrate" somehow, I give you the the following recommendations. Because February 14th is a great excuse to do a lot of things.

Binge on books with romantic elements. 

Recommendations include: 

• The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot - for the one who likes a coming-of-age story and 10 books to read
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore - for the one who likes action, girl power, and morals throughout
• Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi - for the one who likes great platonic friendships as well
• Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge- for the one who likes fairy-tales
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman - for the one who likes to cry
• Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock - for the one who likes contemporary and tomboys
• Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley - for the one who likes angst (and action!) 
• Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern - for the one who likes it unconventional 
• Open Road Summer by Emery Lord - for the one who likes to have fun
• These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner - for the one who likes sci-fi craziness

Go out with the [single] girls.

Basically, do anything and go anywhere. Movies, FOOD, bowling, FOOD, shopping, FOOD...whatever you all like doing. Eating is really fun though.

Way back in middle school (I think), a group of us went over to our friend's house. She was the friend who had everything. You know, the one who had the big house and lots of cool ideas. I don't remember all that we did, but I do remember the best strawberry cake and a trampoline was involved. I might be in college, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Binge on YOUR favorite books.

If I'm in a funk or a picky type of mood, I'll reread a favorite of mine. So if you're feeling down (or just bored), go read an oldie (or several, hence the binging). 

Be stereotypical.

Tonight I will actually be at a friend's house watching romantic movies and eating Ben & Jerry's (while using her washer and dryer to do my laundry). It's always joked that people who are alone will be in a puddle of tears while gorging on ice cream. I actually like being alone if this is the plan, minus the tears. YAY ICE CREAM! 

But really, if you're sad that you're "alone" on this "holiday," I give you the following reminder:

1. You're not alone. You most likely have family and friends. You have billions of strangers around the world to interact with. You have many, many friends to meet in your books. You're not alone. 
2. Valentine's Day is a holiday observed on February 14th, honoring one or more Christian martyrs (saints) named Valentinus. It was first associated with romantic love in the early 19th century England. People sent handwritten greeting cards, which we all know has now evolved into gifts and more. But more importantly, it's a day to spend time and appreciate one another. I choose to believe that while it's heavily focused on romantic love, we should celebrate other kinds of love as well. 

Now go read your books or go out with your significant other. And even if you're not single today, you should still treat yourself to some ice cream and a great book. 

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?

The Dos and Don'ts of YA Romance

Imagine you're reading a book that you're liking and connecting with, it's feeling good and you're bobbing along, ready to see what happens next. Then WHA-BOOM. Something annoying happens and it's lost. All of it. The connection, the interest, the patience, the respect, and the increasing love. It comes to a screeching halt and then disappears. That wha-boom can come from many things and vary from person to person. Sometimes the wha-boom isn't really a wha-boom at all, but is a build-up of repeated offenders. But there is one aspect of a story that gets a beating more than others—in my opinion, at least—and that's romance. In YA, romance is a fickle thing and can conjure up more groans from me than any other part (the narrative and realism are very close). So I decided to make up a list of my personal dos and don'ts of YA romance (hence the title).

DO: Let it simmer

I want the slow-burning kind of love! I do enjoy a whirlwind romance now and then, but I realized that I'm in desperate need for a friend-turned-lover kind of relationship. Let that tension build! It builds up my emotions, the feels, the angst, and while it's not a quickie romance, it's still very exciting.

DON'T: Insta-love it

Of course, the opposite of tension-feeling and realistic love is insta-love. Who likes instant-anything? I'd much rather cook my oats then have those nasty packets, so why would I want to make my fictional romance instant as well? 

DO: Talking is a beaut

I don't want to be bogged down by dialogue and I love affection just as much as the next person (ahem, Alienated), but it would be nice if they talked more than they lay hands on each other. This is a bit like insta-love in the way of not feeling authentic. I don't FEEL the romance when all there is between them is lust.

DON'T: Overuse the understanding card

A big problem I have, especially in contemporary, is when the girl protagonists talk as if their love interest is so amazing and so special because he "understands" her like no one else. He can understand you, but don't keep saying it over and over as if I'm a stupid reader and you're trying to convince me of something. Hearbeat by Elizabeth Scott, anyone?

DO: Incorporate other "life stuff," but DON'T force conflict

We have a twofer! Here's the thing. Personally, I need something to be going on besides the romance. It can involve the romance, but make me care. Be cautious! I see many books just add conflict because they know they need it, but it's not developed well so I still don't care. And now I'm just annoyed.

DON'T: Clinginess

When I read about a love interest who clings, like guys who border on being abusive because they're controlling, I really feel like squirming and yelling, "GET OFF OF ME." Yes, they're on the other person, but I feel suffocated and frustrated just looking at it. And from what I hear from Twilight readers, I'm looking at you, Edward.

DO: Caring is sharing
When I say that, I mean that when you show that the two lovers truly care about each other (deeper than the quick, superficial stuff), it spills over and makes ME care. So really, the caring is being shared around. Rae Carson's Hector and Elisa , anyone?

DON'T: Make her be a flip-flopper
Flip-flopping usually happens to girl protagonists during a love triangle. Even though there should NOT be a love triangle anyways (so overrated, Lauren can tell you why), if you do have one, don't make her flip-flop between the guys. I get the heart's conflict, but when she constantly says she's in love with one and then says it to the other, I really wish that both guys would dump her. She deserves to be forever-alone.

What are your dos and don'ts for YA (or any category) romance?

Happy Valentine's Day! Go to my list here to have recommendations for great swoon-worthy books!