Fairy Tale Endings
Today is Valentine’s Day! Over the past few weeks, I’ve shown you creative ways to celebrate with fresh twists on classic gifts, like flowers, candy, and jewelry (also here). While most people think Valentine’s Day is a celebration of couples, I’d like to suggest instead that today you make it about things you love – whether that’s people, places, activities, or more importantly – yourself! Be your own Valentine this year.
One sweet way to get in the Valentine’s spirit? Curl up with a romantic read or two. I’ve highlighted some of the sweetest books around this season below – stop by your local bookstore on the way home and nab your favourites (or enter to win my *sweet* giveaway below).
The Love That Split the World – $12.33
If you like your love stories with a side of mind-bending intrigue, pick up this entrancing YA read. Blending sci fi, magical realism, and yes, romance, this intriguing book is told from the perspective of Natalie, who starts experiencing strange flashes of ‘visions’ followed by a visit from a spirit that tells Natalie she has three months to save ‘him’. That him turns out to be a boy named Beau. It’s a little bit Heroes’ ‘Save the Cheerleader, Save the World’, but a whole lot trippier in this inventive, time-traveling story.
Juliet’s Answer by Glenn Dixon – $24.47
This nonfiction tale opens with a heartbreak and ends by warming your heart. After author Glenn Dixon’s heart is broken, he travels to Verona, Italy, for a summer, where he volunteers to be a member of Club di Giulietta, a group that respond to the thousands of lovelorn letters sent to Juliet’s hometown. Inspired and moved by these tales of romance, as well as exploring the inspiration for Romeo & Juliet, Glenn returns home to Canada and teaches his class Shakespeare’s most famous romance, things begin to come full circle as he realizes love, painful as it might be, is truly a worthy pursuit. A perfect book for travelers, Shakespeare fans, or those simply looking for a reminder at how wonderful love can be.
F*ck Love by Michael I. Bennett, MD and Sarah Bennett – $26.66
What do you get when a psychiatrist and his comedian daughter team up to assess relationships? A surprisingly insightful road map on the real criteria you should be using when hunting for the ‘one’. The twosome analyze eight of the most common criteria (like chemistry and beauty) people assess potential mates on in terms of how well your ‘feelings’ will lead to a long-term, stable relationship, as well as some less-often considered aspects of healthy relationships you ought to put on your ‘wish list’. Filled with anecdotes and flow charts, this fun book never takes itself too seriously, but might be a contender to help you find someone serious in your romantic world.
I Like You, I Love You by Carissa Potter – $18.37
Are you in a swoony mood with someone? Celebrating a longtime anniversary? Whatever the case may be, this whimsical coffee table book charts an illustrated course from those early days of infatuation to those comforting days of deep love. For the record, Carissa Potter is part of the team behind People I’ve Loved (who I’ve featured on this blog) – don’t be surprised if you want to (delicately) rip a few pages out of this and frame them.
XO, OX – $24
When you’re little, Valentine’s Day is all about sending out those (adorable) little paper valentines and consuming copious amounts of sugar. But I love the idea of it also being about reading. Pick up a sweet read for the kiddies each year, one that teaches them values about caring and affection! This offbeat pick follows an unconventional love story of a burly Ox and a beautiful (if conceited) Gazelle. Will Ox win Gazelle over? Read to find out!
On Turpentine Lane by Elinor Lipman – $30
Whatever happened to rom coms opening up on Valentine’s Day I ask? Never mind that – this new book is just hitting the shelves today and is a perfect page turner to curl up with. Our protagonist is Faith, who has returned to her claustrophobic Desperate Housewives-ish town with a laundry list of frustrations including an absentee fiance and a philandering father. With a wild murder mystery tied to Faith’s new home and a charming coworker to keep her occupied however, Faith’s life is about to get a whole lot more interesting – and yours too, as you dive into this breezy read!
642 Things About You (That I Love) – $14.95
I know I said today is about loving yourself, but it can also be about loving those around you. This adorable journal is part of the San Francisco Writers’ Grotto’s 642 Things series. Like all books in the series, each page contains one or multiple prompts to spark inspiration – and really dive deep into what it means to love someone. From sketching a ‘logo’ for your relationship to highlighting a favourite joke, this is a wildly creative way to show you care – especially when it’s all filled out and you hand it over to them next Valentine’s Day.
The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman – $20.97
Finally, a YA series read that’s a little off the beaten path when it comes to ‘romantic’ novels, but is worth falling in love with. This is actually the second book in the Dark Days Club series, which follows the adventures of Lady Helen Wrexhall in the 1800s, where she’s thrust from life in the royal court to demon hunting under the tutelage of Lord Carlston. Naturally, there’s more than just hellish demons causing things to heat up in these pages – come for the action, stay for the swoon-worthy moments between Lady Helen and Lord Carlston.
Okay my lovely readers, how’s this for a Valentine’s Day treat? I am giving away ALL eight of the titles I featured in this post to one lucky reader! Want it to be you? Here’s how to enter:
1) First & foremost: you must be a subscriber to the Canadian Gift Guide to enter this giveaway. It’s as simple as finding ‘The Gift of Gab’ box in the righthand column and dropping in your email or clicking follow. Then leave me a comment below by March 1, 2017 telling me your top two (or more) titles from this list!
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around March 2, 2017 to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entries: If you’re interested in staying in the loop on the publishers that worked with me on this post, all you have to do is sign up for their social media, and while you’re at it, earn bonus entries into this fun giveaway! Just be sure to leave separate comments with links back to earn your bonus entries.
Raincoast Books – Is the distributor of XO, OX, I Like You, I Love You, On Turpentine Lane, and 642 Things About You. Follow them on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway tagging me, them, and linking back to this post.
Simon & Schuster – Is the publisher of Juliet’s Answer and F*ck Love. Follow them on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway tagging me, them, and linking back to this post.
Goodreads – Special additional thank you to Penguin Random House for providing The Dark Days Pact and The Love That Split the World for this giveaway. If you add either of these titles to your ‘to-read’ list and provide a link back to your (public) list, you’ll earn an extra entry into the draw.
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[…] more! Shoot me a note in the comments below for a bonus entry into this month’s Fairy Tale Endings giveaway – what kids’ books from this list would you love to gift? To […]
Canadian Gift Guide 
All the titles sound enticing but my top two are On Turpentine Lane and Juliet’s Answer.
Hmm. I think The Dark Days Pact would be exciting as well as romantic.
I think 642 things about you that I love is super cute and I’d love to read Juliet’s Answer and the love that split the world!
I like you I love you and Juliets answer
Super intrigued by the love that split the world and even more so by the comedic F*ck Love!
The Love That Split The World & Juliet’s Answer.
Juliet’s Answer sounds interesting and would love to have XO OX Love you for my grandchildren.
l would love yo give my sweet niece XO,ox. She would adore it, i would love on Turpentine Lane!
They all sound great. I like Juliet’s Answer and The Love That Split the World.
Dark Days Pac and F ck Love…
dorcontest at gmail dot com
I love the sound of The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry! I love YA books. And the picture book sounds good, too. So many do.
I like the titles 642 Things About You (That I Love) and On Turpentine Lane by Elinor Lipman.
I would love to read On Turpentine Lane and Juliet’s Answer.
They all look spectacular!. Curious about The Love That Split the World!
My top two titles would be The Dark Days Pact and the Love that split the world (love YA)
I would love to read: Juliet’s Answer by Glenn Dixon and On Turpentine Lane by Elinor Lipman
Juliet’s Answer and The Love That Split the World.
I can’t wait to read On Turpentine Lane and 642 Things About You. Love these titles!
I’d love to read Juliet’s Answer and F*ck Love.
The Dark Days Pact and The Love That Split the World
I’d love to read the love that split the world…sounds very romantic..
The Dark Days Pact and Juliet’s Answer both sound really good. I can’t wait to read them.
I’d say my top 2 picks would be “642 things I love about you” and ” on turpentine lane”. Light and fun!
F*ck Love looks funny and Juliet’s Answers looks interesting.
I really want to read: I Like You, I Love You by Carissa Potter and On Turpentine Lane by Elinor Lipman. I am going on a trip soon and these would be my take-alongs. Thanks.
F*ck Love; Juliet’s Answer; and, I Like You, I Love You. Good chance these 3 books cover the spectrum from cynicism to unconditional love.
My choice of reads would be On Turpentine Lane and Juliet’s Answer
My top two reads would be I Like You, I Love You and F*ck Love (it sounds awesome)
I’d be interested in reading The Dark Days Pact, and F*ck Love!
642 Things About you (that I Love) and XO, OX would be my favourites.
2 fav are On Turpentine Lane and Juliet’s Answer
I like Juliet’s Answer and F*ck Love!
My top two titles from today’s post are: On Turpentine Lane by Elinor Lipman and Juliet’s Answer by Glenn Dixon.
Turpentine Lane & F*ck Love sound interesting.
My two top favourites are Juliet’s Answer and I Like You, I Love You.
I’m a subscriber to the Canadian Gift Guide. My top two titles from this list would be :
1) F*ck Love by Michael I. Bennett, MD and Sarah Bennett – $26.66
2) I Like You, I Love You by Carissa Potter – $18.37
I’m already a subscriber. My top two would be “Juliet’s Answer” (because it’s a unique and sweet idea) and 642 Things About You That I Love (because I’d love to do this). Thank you for the chance! All of the books look great.
I love the idea of the Daily Journal as well as the children’s book!
My top two would be Juliet’s Answer and Turpentine Lane
I’d like Juliet’s Answer and the XO. OX books.
My two would be Juliet’s Answer & Like You-Love You.
My top tow picks are Juliet’s Answer and On Turpentine Lane.
Top favs are XO, OX and juliet’s answer
My first bonus tweet
2nd bonus entry
Added the book to my to read shelf list.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/63683804?shelf=to-read
My top two are On Turpentine Lane and I Like You, I Love You
~Jonnie
I think I would like the titles 642 Things About You (That I Love) and On Turpentine Lane by Elinor Lipman.
Yes, I am a member of your unique and well designed site. My books picks are XOOX to read to my grandson and Juliet’s answer.
I am a Good reads member and added to my to read list.
The Dark Days Pact (Lady Helen, #2)
The Dark Days Pact (Lady Helen, #2)
Goodman,
they all look good
I would love to read F*ck Love and 642 Things About You (That I Love).
I would like On Turpentine Lane and Juliet’s Answer.
XO, OX would be great, as would F*CK Love
My favourite would be XO, OX and F*ck Love
The Dark Days Pact
I Like You I Love You
Both look good
And yes I am a subscriber
I love the idea of 642 Things About You (That I Love) !
I Like You and I Love You and On Turpentine Lane.
Honestly I’m interested in them all as I always have a book in my hand regardless of what genre it is.
My top 2 titles are: On Turpentine Lane and XO,OX.
I like 642 Things About You (That I Love) and xo,ox.
My top two choices from those listed above ar: F*uck Love and On Turpentine Lane
XO OX A love story & The love that split the world
I’m super interested in the Juliet book and f*ck love! Total opposites.
On Turpentine Lane and Juliet’s Answer are my top two choices, although I would happily read all of the offerings!
My two choices are Juliet’s Answer and The Dark Days Pact
I am a subscriber. My top two books would be The Love That Split the World and Juliet’s Answer.
I follow Raincoast Books on Twitter and tweeted: https://twitter.com/wandabee004/status/833718208779665409
I follow Simon & Schuster on Twitter and tweeted: Fairytale Endings Giveaway! https://twitter.com/wandabee004/status/833719400117198848
I Like You,I love you and F*ck Love
I’d love to read The Dark Days Pact and F*ck Love
I choose Juliet’s Answer and On Turpentine Lane.`
XO, OX and I like you I love you sound interesting!
Juliet’s answer would be my pick
Here is my to read list!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/27442651?shelf=to-read
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/solace76/status/837133158080372739
Tweeted https://twitter.com/solace76/status/837133043001241601
I love the kids book….my little one would love to try to read it to me! 🙂
I’d love to read Juliet’s Answer and On Turpentine Lane.`
i would love to read The Dark Days Pact and F*ck Love
Definitely interested in the kids’ book, my niece would love it!
I’dm super interested in reading The Dark Days Pact and F*ck Love
Send me F*uck Love and On Turpentine Lane plaz!
I’m very interested in On Turpentine Lane!