Anti-Valentine's Day

 

I recently rediscovered a set of old diary entries,  and in February of 2000, I wrote out my acceptance that Valentine's Day was just not going to be a day for me.   There would be no flowers or chocolates from any admirers, no dates, no nothing.   Romance was just not something that would happen to me.   At 19, nearly 20, I was still especially skilled in the art of teenage melodrama and fully indulged in stereotyped premonitions of spinsterhood and cats.

These days my antipathy for Valentine's day is wholly down to having multiple children in elementary school, where everything related to the day has somehow become a bit of a chore and a battle against anything that might bring glitter into the house.

That being said, I am fully for anyone with an anti-valentine's day vibe.  I'm fairly certain my husband and I have only ever gone out once in 17 years.  We went to an overpriced movie theater with luxury seating, (I swear they offered me a pillow).  They had a Valentine's Day package, with included minimal drinks, tiny apps, forgettable food, and a viewing of the movie Valentine's Day.   It was fun but, way overpriced. We definitely prefer just to stay home, eat pizza, wear pajamas, and watch reruns.  

Here's to everyone that's over it.

How to be Single: a novel by Tuccillo, Liz

On a brisk October morning in New York, Julie Jenson, a single thirty-eight-year-old book publicist, is on her way to work when she gets a hysterical phone call from her friend Georgia. Reeling from her husband's announcement that he is leaving her for a samba teacher, Georgia convinces a reluctant Julie to organize a fun girls' night out with all their single friends to remind her why it is so much fun not to be tied down. But the night, which starts with steaks and martinis and ends with a trip to the hospital, becomes a wake-up call for Julie. Because none of her friends seems to be having much fun right now. Fed up with the dysfunction and disappointments of being single in Manhattan, Julie quits her job and sets off to find out how women around the world are dealing with this dreaded phenomenon. From Paris to Rio to Sydney, Bali, Beijing, Mumbai, and Reykjavik, Julie falls in love, gets her heart broken, sees the world, and learns more than she ever dreamed possible.

Moxie : a novel by Mathieu, Jennifer

MOXIE GIRLS FIGHT BACK!

Vivian Carter is fed up. Fed up with an administration at her high school that thinks the football team can do no wrong. Fed up with sexist dress codes, hallway harassment, and gross comments from guys during class. But most of all, Viv Carter is fed up with always following the rules.

Viv's mom was a tough-as-nails, punk rock Riot Grrrl in the '90s, and now Viv takes a page from her mother's past and creates a feminist zine that she distributes anonymously to her classmates. She's just blowing off steam, but other girls respond. As Viv forges friendships with other young women across the divides of cliques and popularity rankings, she realizes that what she has started is nothing short of a girl revolution.

Moxie is a book about high school life that will make you wanna riot!

(Also on Netflix and one of my favorites!)

The Divorce Party by Dave, Laura

A novel about loyalty, loss, and the endurance of love On their 35th anniversary, Gwyn Huntington and her husband Thomas have invited friends and family to their Montauk home. Instead of celebrating their decades-long love, they are toasting their divorce. This also marks the weekend that their son brings home his fiancée, Maggie Mackenzie, for the first time. Maggie thought she was joining a perfect family, but she is about to reckon with some uncomfortable truths about the man she wants to marry. A multi-generational story about what it means to share a life with someone, The Divorce Party brings us two immensely appealing women: Gwyn who is stumbling upon the end of her marriage, and Maggie, her future-daughter-in-law, who is trying to navigate the beginning of hers. With emotional candor and surprising humor, these two women find themselves trying to answer the same questions: Can you ever really know someone? When should you fight for the person you. -Amazon

The Carrie Diaries by Bushnell, Candace

The Carrie Diaries is the coming-of-age story of one of the most iconic characters of our generation.

Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small-town girl who knew she wanted more. She's ready for real life to start, but first,38525000108292

 she must navigate her senior year of high school. Up until now, Carrie and her friends have been inseparable. Then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friend's betrayal makes her question everything.

With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.

Getting to Happy by McMillan, Terry

A sequel to "Waiting to Exhale" picks up fifteen years later to find Savannah contemplating divorce, Bernadine succumbing to painkiller addiction after a second husband's swindle, Robin falling into shopaholism, and Gloria confronting profound change after a fateful event.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks: a novel by Lockhart, E.

Sophomore Frankie starts dating senior Matthew Livingston, but when he refuses to talk about the all-male secret society that he and his friends belong to, Frankie infiltrates the society in order to enliven their mediocre pranks.

A critically acclaimed memoir by Lori Gottlieb. In the book, she details her experience as a psychotherapist, who after a bad breakup finds herself in therapy. With her wit and humor, she creates an engaging story that showcases the importance of therapy when dealing with a life-shattering change. - https://www.popsugar.com/love/post-breakup-reads-47806948?stream_view=1#photo-47806949

Happily Ever After & Everything in Between by Tung, Debbie

The comics in Happily Ever After & Everything In Between may be inspired by Debbie Tung's marriage to her extrovert husband, but any couple can relate to increasingly relaxed anniversaries, slowly seeing more of each other's weird sides, or the punishment for taking care of your sick loved one (catching whatever they had). Happily Ever After humorously captures what everyday love looks like both the sweet moments and the mundane-making it a fitting gift for weddings, anniversaries, and Valentine's Day.

Burger Wuss by Anderson, M. T.

Anthony has never been able to stand up for himself -- that is, not until he finds his girlfriend, Diana, in someone else's arms. Then Anthony vows revenge and devises The Plan. It begins with getting a job at O'Dermott's, the fast-food restaurant where Turner (a.k.a. the guy who stole his girlfriend) happens to be a star employee. It involves one anarchist, one condiment troll, and one '85 Oldsmobile named Margot. But when these ingredients are finally assembled, will The Plan satisfy Anthony's hunger for revenge? And more importantly, will he ever prove he's not a wuss?

Sweet Revenge: Passive-Aggressive Desserts for Your Exes & Enemies by Kim, Heather

50+ killer cakes, cookies, and candies for your exes and enemies. Dumped by your beefcake boyfriend? BFF steal your one-and-only? Lab partner a more-than-periodic no-show? Don't take these battles online. (Seriously, don't do that, okay?). Get out your heaviest rolling pins, sharpest cleavers, and most blistering torches, and kill your enemies and exes . . . with kindness. That's right - bake that loser ex a pan of Go Fudge Yourself. Gift your former friend a You're the Devil Cake. And give that annoying admirer a Donut Call Me Again. Let them taste your over-them happiness and see what comes next . . . Pastry chef and tattoo artist Heather Kim serves up sinfully delicious recipes and bittersweet advice.

Ladies' Night by Andrews, Mary Kay

Cut off from her palatial home and checking account after an act of post-divorce rage forces her to move in with her widowed mother and attend court-mandated group therapy, rising media star Grace Stanton bonds with three fellow patients who she helps plot respective pursuits of justice and closure.

DVD'S

The Break-up [videorecording]

Brooke calls it quits with her boyfriend Gary. Neither one is willing to move out of the condo the share. Taking the advice of their respective friends and confidants, including a few complete strangers, they engage in mental warfare designed to force the other to flee the premises. But they might just realize they might be fighting to keep their relationship alive.

Broken flowers

Confirmed bachelor Don has just been dumped by his latest lover, Sherry. Don begins to resign himself to being alone and left to his own devices. However, he becomes compelled to reflect on his past when he receives a mysterious pink letter by mail. It is from an anonymous former lover and informs him that he has a 19-year-old son who may be looking for his father. Don is urged to investigate the contents of the letter by his closest friend and neighbor, Winston. Hesitant to travel at all, Don nonetheless embarks on a cross-country trip in search of clues from four former loves. Unannounced, he visits each of these women and finds that they hold new surprises for Don as he confronts his past.

Under the Tuscan Sun

While on vacation, a just-divorced writer buys a villa in Tuscany on a whim, hoping it will be the start of a change for the better in her life. Along the way, she finds that sometimes what seems like a mistake is really a blessing.

Waiting to Exhale

A surprise Hollywood hit, this film is based on the novel of the same name by Terry McMillan and centers on four well-to-do African-American women and their relationships with men and one another. All of them are "holding their breath" until the day they can feel comfortable in a committed relationship with a man. Robin (Lela Rochon) is the long-time mistress of Russell (Leon), who keeps reneging on his promise to leave his wife for her. She dumps him to find a man she can have to herself, but her dates with a reliable but unattractive business partner (Wendell Pierce) and a drug addict (Mykelti Williamson) send her back to Russell. Savannah (Whitney Houston) is a successful television producer who also believes that her married lover Kenneth (Dennis Haysbert) will leave his wife. Bernadine (Angela Bassett) is a wealthy woman who abandoned her own career to raise a family. Her husband is now leaving her to marry a white woman. Gloria (Loretta Devine) is a beauty salon owner and single mother raising a teenage son. After years alone, she falls in love with a new neighbor, Marvin (Gregory Hines). The women share their stories over lunches and conversations at Gloria's salon. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

And let's not forget:

The St. Valentine's Day Massacre: The Untold Story of the Gangland Bloodbath That Brought Down Al Capone by Helmer, William J.

Examines the St. Valentine's Day Massacre when killers dressed as cops gunned down seven men. While the massacre was commonly thought to be ordered by Al Capone, it was actually the work of group from St. Louis known as the "American Boys." The book examines how law enforcement officials worked not to solve the crime to avoid retaliation by corrupt politicians.

Deadly Valentines: The Story of Capone's Henchman "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn and Louise Rolfe, His Blonde Alibi by Gusfield, Jeffrey

Reveals the lives of the iconic American gangster and his blonde alibi for the Valentines Day Massacre.

Isn't it Romantic?

For someone who adores Romance Novels and Romantic Comedies, I am completely weirded out by romantic gestures in real life. I could watch movies like You've got mail or An Affair to Remember all day, but give me a Hallmark card and I cringe. To me, the greatest romantic gesture my husband can make is prepping the coffee pot or buying me yarn. As so many are, I have become a bit obsessed with Bridgerton on Netflix, thus renewing my interest in Romance novels, (whereas the last few years I've been distracted by murder books...). I've always had a soft spot for Johanna Lindsey in particular and have started rebuilding my collection via Thriftbooks and I now have a drawer full of Romance novels in my coffee table.

Because of Miss Bridgerton, The girl with the make-believe husband, The other Miss Bridgerton: a Bridgertons prequel

"Set in the late 1700s, this series follows the aristocratic Rokesby family, who happen to be close friends and neighbors of the Bridgertons, who are the subject of my most popular book series. Readers had long asked me to write more about the Bridgertons, and I think most expected me to look to the next generation, but I found myself far more interested in the Georgian era than the early Victorian, so I decided to go backwards instead." -https://juliaquinn.com/series/rokesbys/

Happily ever after & everything in between by Tung, Debbie

The comics in Happily Ever After & Everything In Between may be inspired by Debbie Tung's marriage to her extrovert husband, but any couple can relate to increasingly relaxed anniversaries, slowly seeing more of each other's weird sides, or the punishment for taking care of your sick loved one (catching whatever they had). Happily Ever After humorously captures what everyday love looks like-both the sweet moments and the mundane-making it a fitting gift for weddings, anniversaries, and Valentine's Day. 

The Amish sweet shop

The sweetest courtship: "At age thirty-six, Jacob Beechy is a rarity--a master candy maker, and a bachelor. His mother, however, still hopes for grandchildren. With Valentine's Day around the corner, she convinces Jacob he will need extra help in the shop and interviews a string of applicants--for his future wife..."--FantasticFiction.com.

The sweetest truth: "Sadie Fischer has accepted that she will never marry. Her scars from a barn fire are a daily reminder of why. So when she receives mysterious gifts leading up to Valentine's Day, including chocolate from Beechy's, she's bewildered--yet curious. Sadie may not think she's pretty, but there's a young man who sees only sweetness when he looks at her . . ."--FantasticFiction.com.

Nothing tastes so sweet: "Pregnant and suddenly widowed, Hannah must give up the dreams she once had. But when she learns that her longtime English employer plans to sell his hardware store, she's determined to buy it. She doesn't realize that will mean following a clue from Beechy's to clear a man's name--and finding a partnership in work, faith, and love . . ."--FantasticFiction.com.

In cold chamomile by Avon, Joy

"Callie Aspen can't think of a more appropriate place to spend Valentine's Day than her adopted hometown of Heart's Harbor, Maine. When she's not helping out at Book Tea, her great-aunt Iphy's vintage tearoom, Callie's adorning Haywood Hall with hearts and roses for the big Valentine's event, where townspeople will fall in love with sweet treats, heartwarming music, and delightful books. But tension is brewing: The librarian argues with the expert who is on hand to appraise precious volumes. And Iphy is shocked to recognize the baritone who's slated to sing at the event as an old acquaintance - one she'd hoped she'd never meet again. And then, when a dead body is discovered, the stirring spoon of suspicion points at the many people who had reasons to want the victim dead. When Iphy's old acquaintance draws the attention of Deputy Ace Falk, Callie finds herself in a spot. Ace, as usual, doesn't want Callie involved, but how can she ignore Iphy's anguish over the fate of a man she cares for more than she will admit? Bringing the killer to justice may endanger Callie's budding relationship with Ace - and, quite possibly her own life"--FantasticFiction.com. 

The love curse of Melody McIntyre by Talley, Robin

"Melody McIntyre, stage manager extraordinaire, has a plan for everything. What she doesn't have? Success with love. Every time she falls for someone during a school performance, both the romance and the show ended in catastrophe. So, Mel swears off any entanglements until their upcoming production of Les Mis is over. Of course, Mel didn't count on Odile Rose, a rising star in the acting world, auditioning for the spring performance. And she definitely didn't expect Odile to be sweet and funny and care as much about the play's success as Mel. This means that Melody McIntyre's only plan now is trying desperately not to fall in love."-- Publisher's description.

The way of love by Peterson, Tracie

"In 1879, Faith Kenner is pursuing her dream to become a doctor and use her gift to help the native populations. When she meets Andrew Gratton, an injured riverboat captain, a friendship grows between them--but will secrets and rising tensions prevent them from finding true happiness?"--Provided by publisher.

It only happens in the movies by Bourne, Holly

From award-winning British author Holly Bourne comes a clever, deconstructed rom-com that proves that in real life "girl meets boy" doesn't always mean "happily ever after" . . . or does it? At turns funny, feminist, and achingly real, this read is perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Patrick Ness, and Julie Buxbaum.

Audrey gave up on romance before meeting aspiring filmmaker Harry at the cinema where they work, but soon they are deeply in love--and not like it is portrayed in movies.

Of literature and lattes by Reay, Katherine

"After fleeing her hometown three years earlier, Alyssa Harrison never planned to return. Then the Silicon Valley start-up she worked for collapsed and turned her world upside down. She is broke, under FBI investigation, and without a place to go. Having exhausted every option, she comes home to Winsome, Illinois, to regroup then move on as quickly as possible. Yet, as friends and family welcome her back, Alyssa begins to see a place for herself in this small Midwestern community. Jeremy Mitchell moved from Seattle to Winsome to be near his daughter and to open the coffee shop he's been dreaming of for years. The problem is, the business is bleeding money - and he's not quite sure why. When he meets Alyssa, he senses an immediate connection, but what he needs most is someone to help him save his floundering business. After asking for her help, he wonders if something might grow between them - but forces beyond their control soon complicate their already complex lives, and the future they both hoped for is not at all what they anticipated. With the help of Winsome's small-town charm and quirky residents, Alyssa and Jeremy discover the beauty and romance of second chances"--Provided by publisher. 

Just like you by Hornby, Nick

Lucy used to handle her adult romantic life according to the script she'd been handed. She met a guy just like herself: same age, same background, same hopes, and dreams; they got married and started a family. Too bad he made her miserable. Now, two decades later, she's a nearly-divorced, forty-one-year-old schoolteacher with two school-aged sons, and there is no script anymore. So when she meets Joseph, she isn't exactly looking for love--she's more in the market for a babysitter. Joseph is twenty-two, living at home with his mother, and working several jobs, including the butcher counter where he and Lucy meet. It's not a match anyone could have predicted. He's of a different class, a different culture, and a different generation. But sometimes it turns out that the person who can make you happiest is the one you least expect, though it can take some maneuvering to see it through.

When we met [sound recording] by Mallery, Susan

"Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can't be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool's Gold, California, he's cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he's not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe. Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing--she can go toe to toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction...and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses" -- from publisher's web site.