My Favourite Love Stories

 I read a fair bit. Here are my favourite love stories, just in time for Valentine's Day.


1. The short story "Eric Hermannson's Soul" by Willa Cather

She could not meet Eric's eyes as she gave him her hand, but as he stood by the horses head, just as the carriage moved off, she gave him one swift glance that said, "I will not forget." In a moment the carriage was gone.
from "Eric Hermannson's Soul" by Willa Cather

The version I read was in the collection of Cather's short stories, The Bohemian Girl: Stories.

2. The short story "books and roses" by Helen Oyeyemi

Image credit here.


This short story is the first from Oyeyemi's collection What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours: Stories. It focuses on St. Jordi's Day, a Spanish holiday which is rather like Valentine's Day. The story reminds me a lot of Beauty and the Beast (library, roses, etc) but wayyy better cuz it's queer and mysterious.

3. Starless by Jacqueline Carey

Starless is one of my fave fantasy novels, Jacqueline Carey is da best. Starless has action and adventure, it's got sex and romance, great mythology--what more could a gal want? This novel is also on my list of favourite utopian reads, click through for a better description.

4. The short story "The Lily and the Horn" by Catherynne M. Valente

This short story by Valente is in her collection The Future is Blue, which I praise more here. This is more of an adventure-y, political story than a love story perhaps, but there's something about a secret romance and women who are expert poisoners that make this one a must-read.

5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Yes, yes, I know this is a highly problematic 'love' story but the insane drama and obsession make it a classic for a reason. Just "be critical of the media you love" as Anita Sarkeesian says, and you'll be fine reading this.

6. The Emily of New Moon trilogy by L.M. Montgomery

Above: See? Russian Doll know what's up on the Emily trilogy also


I think there's a compelling case that this series is actually not meant for kids at all (read more about how the Emily trilogy came about here). Maybe YA. My sister has read these all recently as well and agrees, so you know, sisters agreeing on stuff.

There is so much drama woven into all three of the books around Emily's romances, whether it's Dean's highly questionable/concerning obsession with Emily to the ever-elusive Teddy Kent. Montgomery plays the long game on this one and it's totally worth the payoff.

7. Gothic Tales of Haunted Love edited by Hope Nicholson and S.M. Beiko



This is a collection of comics! And it's Canadian! I don't read a lot of comics or graphic novels, but this one is campy fun, offering subtle twists on classic tales that I quite enjoy. There's a hilarious quiz included at the back called, "How Grave is Your Misfortune," as well.

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