{"id":6353,"date":"2024-02-01T05:45:29","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T05:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sometimesraw.com\/?p=6353"},"modified":"2024-02-01T05:45:34","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T05:45:34","slug":"book-thursday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sometimesraw.com\/?p=6353","title":{"rendered":".Book Thursday."},"content":{"rendered":"
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As Shakespeare once wrote, \u201cThe course of true love never did run smooth.\u201d But perhaps we should be grateful for this, because how else would we have such wonderful books about the many paths that love can take? Valentine’s Day is around the corner, people. So, time for some love. Here are some titles worth reading\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Course of Love<\/a>\u00a0by Alain de Botton<\/strong>
This novel was recommended many, many times before I actually sat down and read it. I had been told it was a \u201csuper realistic\u201d portrayal of a relationship, and that sounded depressing. Why would I want to read a dose of reality when I can get a dose of reality just by existing? How wrong I was. (In fact, I\u2019ve read it multiple times since.) The story of one couple\u2019s long-term relationship is indeed realistic, but captures the kind of hopes, fears, insecurities and longing that each of us thinks is ours alone. A gorgeous novel.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I Know for Sure<\/a> by Oprah Winfrey<\/strong>
Sometimes, you need a hug. Sometimes, you need tough love. Sometimes, it helps to hear that someone else has been through whatever you\u2019re going through. This book has all of that, plus some. A collection of Oprah\u2019s beloved \u201cWhat I Know For Sure\u201d columns from O Magazine, these short essays on tumultuous relationships, self-esteem, friendship, career, connection, resilience, and finding your way span the full range of human emotions and feel like a deep talk with a good friend. I\u2019ve turned to them over and over again through different stages, and expect I will do so for years to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eleanor & Park<\/a> by Rainbow Rowell<\/strong>
This young adult book about two teens who meet on a bus is the perfect account of young love \u2014 that idyllic, all-encompassing feeling unlike any other. For any parents of teens, it\u2019s a great reminder of that time of life. For everyone else, don\u2019t let the YA label deter you. Though it\u2019s about teens, the feelings of love are so universal, this book is really for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pride and Prejudice<\/a> by Jane Austen<\/strong>
Hailed as one of the most beloved love stories of all time, Austen\u2019s classic reminds us that romance has been complicated and annoying for centuries. Set in rural England, the book follows the five (very different) Bennet sisters, whom matriarch Mrs. Bennet cannot wait to marry off. Though I am incapable of reading without imaging nearly every character being played by Colin Firth, her novels never cease to amaze me \u2014 such sharp wit, brilliant observations, timeless emotions. This one really holds up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Art of Communicating<\/a> by Thich Nhat Hanh<\/strong>
If communication is the foundation of all human relationships, then this book is perfect for all humans, no matter where you are or what chapter you are currently in. The celebrated monk and author discusses how to listen mindfully and express your most authentic self. I especially loved his concept of conversation as a source of nourishment \u2014 with goodness or toxicity you absorb, like food. With specific examples for individuals, couples and families, this book can lead us all to more loving communication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Be a Person in the World<\/a> by Heather Havrilesky <\/strong>
Struggling with a date who won\u2019t commit? Not sure why you keep making the wrong choices? Heather Havrilesky\u2019s got you covered. A collection of advice from the beloved Ask Polly<\/a> columnist, my friends and I are so acquainted with a handful of these essays that we refer to them in conversation \u2014 \u201cHe sounds like the guy who wouldn\u2019t move his art off the chair so his date could sit down.\u201d This book is the best kind of advice: wise, honest, told from the perspective of someone who knows it\u2019s all going to be okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All About Love<\/a> by bell hooks<\/strong>
No list about books on love would be complete without this book by scholar, cultural critic and feminist bell hooks. A treatise devoted to answering the question \u201cWhat is love?\u201d, it includes lines like \u201cthe word \u2018love\u2019 is most often defined as a noun, yet\u2026 we would all love better if we used it as a verb,\u201d after which my life was never the same again. While the text skews frustratingly hetero-normative, this provocative and profound book is a must-read. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love<\/a> by Dr. Sue Johnson <\/strong>
Full disclosure: I haven\u2019t read this book, but three<\/em> of my friends were \u201cprescribed\u201d it by their various therapists, and all<\/em> said it greatly helped them. The book\u2019s approach is based on attachment theory, and promises to help couples break free of \u2018demon dialogue\u2019 to communicate more effectively. The reviews (and there are a lot of them!) are glowing. Have you read it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That concludes my list for now, but I\u2019d love to hear: Do you have any titles you\u2019d add? Which books have you read and loved?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As Shakespeare once wrote, \u201cThe course of true love never did run smooth.\u201d But perhaps we should be grateful for this, because how else would we have such wonderful books about the many paths that love can take? Valentine’s Day is around the corner, people. So, time for some love. Here are some titles worth … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “.Book Thursday.”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_ml_titleColor":"#000000","_ml_titleFont":"Roboto","_ml_titleFontSize":1.136,"_ml_titleFontWeight":"400","_ml_titleLineHeight":1.3,"_ml_metaColor":"#708090","_ml_metaFont":"Montserrat","_ml_metaFontSize":0.6785,"_ml_metaFontWeight":"400","_ml_metaLineHeight":0.92,"_ml_bodyColor":"#a9a9a9","_ml_bodyFont":"Open Sans","_ml_bodyFontSize":0.85,"_ml_bodyFontWeight":"400","_ml_bodyLineHeight":1.2,"_ml_wooPriceColor":"#666","_ml_wooPriceFont":"Open Sans","_ml_wooPriceFontSize":0.9,"_ml_wooPriceFontWeight":"400","_ml_wooPriceLineHeight":1.27,"_ml_headingColor":"#000","_ml_headingFont":"Merriweather","_ml_headingFontSize":2.02,"_ml_headingFontWeight":"700","_ml_headingLineHeight":1.47,"_mlglobal_userfontcolors":{"headingColorUser":[],"titleColorUser":[],"metaColorUser":[],"bodyColorUser":[],"wooPriceColorUser":[]},"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-minimalism-lifestyle"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t