Valentine's Day Book Recommendations 

Alyssa McGuigan '23   Features Editor
Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson is a fast-paced, supernatural fantasy novel. This series holds three novels, two novellas and a fourth book expected in the coming years. Protagonist Spensa Nightshade dreams of becoming a pilot for the DDF (Defiant Defense Force). In constant firefight with an eerily unknown alien threat, Spensa is forced to grapple with her late fathers cowardice all while finding out how she fits into this immense and confusing puzzle. One day, she makes a discovery that could change it all.
​“To being truly Defiant”
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is a humorous, fun read. Set in outer space, the reader gets to follow all six members of squad 312 in a multi-perspective novel. This series currently holds three novels, Aurora Rising, Aurora Burning and Aurora’s End. Aurora Jin- O’Malley, the girl who's been stuck in cryo-sleep for two centuries, faces newly found conflicts with a group of misfits who hardly ever knows what they're doing.
​“They're not the heroes we deserve, just the ones we could find.” 
Coming of Age
With themes of romantic, platonic and sibling love, Louisa M. Alcott’s classic, Little Women, follows sisters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy through childhood, into love and acceptance and what it means for each. It can be read as a standalone or two book series, but in many adaptations today the two are combined. Through hardship, heartbreak and happiness Little Women is a must-read classic.
​“Be worthy love, and love will come” 
Romance
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a heartbreaking standalone romance. While it most definitely will leave you crying, the love story between Hazel and Augustus is one of acceptance and understanding. Hazel and Gus, both cancer victims, find themselves tangled in their own little infinity, their own love story. With challenging themes of grief and hopelessness, but still all the collections of a fabulous romance, the Fault in Our Stars is a great Valentine's read. 
“Some infinities are bigger than other infinities.”

Watch the movie on Disney plus!
​Based on The Iliad, Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is an entrancing stand-alone. Set around the time of the great Trojan War, Miller writes about themes of love, and redemption. Following the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus from childhood to adulthood, their bond is an example of romantic love and just loving because of love. 
“He is half of my soul, as the poets say.”
Mystery
In honor of the upcoming (2022) film based on Death on the Nile, this famous novel by Agatha Christie will leave readers on the edge of their seat. Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot's Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple's idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short.
“It is not the past that matters, but the future”