Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone, especially not for those who’ve been burned by someone they loved in the past. Whether there wasn’t enough love or there was too much love, it doesn’t matter; it’s a scary emotion that can destroy lives and traumatize everyone involved.
So, if you’re single, if you’re grateful to have dodged a bullet, and if you really can’t be bothered with the sickly-sweet atmosphere that surrounds Valentine’s Day, then BookTrib’s got you covered with some great book picks.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights
by Emily Brontë
Not only is the setting in Wuthering Heights bleak, but few relationships are as toxic as Catherine and Heathcliff’s. Anyone who considers Emily Brontë’s novel a romance clearly hasn’t read the book, because neither Catherine nor Heathcliff gets a happy ending (and I’m pretty sure neither deserves one). If you’re looking for something tragic and somewhat self-destructive when it comes to love, then this one’s for you.
The Shining by Stephen King
The Shining
by Stephen King
In case you don’t know, Stephen King’s The Shining is the furthest thing you can possibly find from a romance novel. This book is perfect for anyone who has an irrational fear of being attacked by an axe. A bit specific, maybe, but I mean, imagine you’re in a secluded hotel, snowed in, there are ghosts running amok, and then your other half goes a little crazy and tries to murder you and your child … By the end of The Shining, you’ll be grateful you’re single.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Gone Girl
by Gillian Flynn
If you recently came out of a relationship where the other person was manipulative, narcissistic or turned out to be someone you just didn’t know thanks to lies, secrets and all that jazz, then maybe skip Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Is it good, though? Oh, yes! A million times, yes! By the end of the book, you’ll probably delete your Tinder profile.
Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie
Princesses Behaving Badly
by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie
If you’re looking for the quintessential Disney princess story where a happy ending is a must, then scroll on by. Princesses Behaving Badly by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie tells the tales of princesses who were ruthless, waged wars and used their titles to get close to the enemy. A must-read for anti-romance readers with a love of history.
This Is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz
This Is How You Lose Her
by Junot Diaz
An Anti-Valentine’s Day read that will have you fuming by the end of the book is none other than This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz. This collection of short stories has an abundance of misogyny and, basically, the world is a terrible place. Also, it’s short enough to finish in one sitting (just long enough for Valentine’s Day to be over)!
Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson
Before I Go To Sleep
by S.J. Watson
Remember those trust issues you need to deal with? Yeah, I guarantee, they’re nothing like Christine’s trust issues. In Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson, the protagonist is an amnesiac who needs to reacquaint herself with her life every morning … but here’s the thing: Christine instinctively knows something’s off about her whole situation. Can she trust her husband? Her doctor? Herself?
Season to Taste by Natalie Young
Season to Taste
by Natalie Young
If you want murder, dismemberment, cooking and cannibalism to cheer you up this year, then Season to Taste (the original subtitle of which was “Or How to Eat your Husband”) by Natalie Young may be just the thing you need … of course, only if you have a strong stomach.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Eat, Pray, Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert
So, maybe you need your Anti-Valentine’s Day a bit more self-reflective and positive. Perhaps you’re ready to change your life for the better once and for all. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is a wonderful tale that shows how heartbreak and disappointment can be overcome and be the beginning of something wonderful.
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
White Oleander
by Janet Fitch
Searching for something about ambiguous alliances, selfish love and cruel behaviour, and the search for love and identity? White Oleander by Janet Fitch is the book for you. While the book mostly revolves around the toxic relationship between a mother and daughter, it should be noted that the murder of a former lover is a major plot point.
You by Caroline Kepnes
You
by Caroline Kepnes
Nowadays, when it comes to being in love, things can escalate quickly, and while it may seem harmless at first, obsession and jealousy often follow when emotions aren’t reciprocated. You by Caroline Kepnes is undeniably one of the best examples of why love isn’t necessarily all good. Get ready for abuse, manipulation and abnormal patterns of attachment if you’re picking up this book.
