I used to, as most young women do - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough, Love Story by Erich Segal. Most of my favorite classics are love stories - all of Jane Austen's books, Jane Eyre, Romeo and Juliet, Age of Innocence.
As an adult, if I'm picking up a book that's, at its heart, a love story, I tend to gravitate toward something that has a unique story. That's what drew me to the modern books above. An affair set during World War Two and a love story set during the Vietnam war, people of two cultures coming together - both young and old, dual love stories - both doomed, a man with autism, a quadriplegic, a fantastical love story, and a hidden love between two women. Some of them made me cry, some of them made me laugh, all of them touched my heart.
What are you favorite love stories? Are they traditional? Quirky? Straight up romance?
I do love Jane Austen, so maybe I like my love stories with a little bit of humor or snark to them. Not that Jane Austen is snarky, but I she is definitely witty. And The Princess Bride - I've never read the book. Love, love, love the movie. I should watch it again soon.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite romantic movies have that same thing about them - some wit to keep them from getting too sugary.
DeleteOMGosh, I remember The Thorn Birds TV shows. It was epic.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking that someday I'll revisit both the book and the series but I would come at them from such a different place now. I'm afraid I would end up thinking badly of them and I prefer to keep my lovely memories!
DeleteI enjoy a good love story and think that the ones I like best are the type you mention--and have as examples. I read straight up romance now and then as well, but mostly for a quick escape, knowing I likely won't remember the book long after I finish it.
ReplyDeleteI really never pick up straight romances but I'm all over a romcom when it comes to movies which I think is kind of weird of me!
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