Looking for non-stereotype love stories

IceHand · 03-26-2008, 09:23 PM

Alright, I admit it, I like love stories. But I don't like the stereotype romance novel. So, I'm looking for good love stories, but I'm having a hard time finding them.
Do you have any recommendations (preferably e-books, but paper books as well)? They don't need to be "pure" love stories, but it should be a main part of the book.

From the top of my head only a few books come to mind that I've read that would fit my search criteria:
Audrey Niffenegger - The Time Traveler's Wife
Jodi Picoult - Salem Falls
Nicholson Baker - Vox
Terry Goodkind - Wizard's First Rule (I've stopped reading the series after Blood of the Fold, but Wizard's First Rule is great)

Taylor514ce · 03-26-2008, 11:05 PM

Rudyard Kipling's short story, The Brushwood Boy, would fit well, I think. I don't even want to spoil it by describing any part of it. There are "e-text" versions of it all over. Out of copyright in the US, though I don't see it in PG unless it's in one of the omnibus files.

Q. Do you like Kipling?
A. I don't know - I've never kippled.

Taylor514ce · 03-26-2008, 11:25 PM

You might also like the non-fiction book, Thunderstruck, by Erik Larson. It documents a murder, the development of radio, and yes, an unusual love story.

A Beautiful Mind, Sylvia Nasar, non-fiction. The "love story" isn't nearly as prevalent in the book as the movie.

Galileo's Daughter, Dava Sobel, non-fiction. Not a romantic love story, but it does document the relationship between the very public Galileo, and his very private (nun in an impoverished convent), but perhaps equally brilliant, daughter.

The Historian, Elizabeth Kostova. Again, not really a love story, but the strange but passionate relationship between two of the main characters, husband and wife, plays a pivotal role. Oh yeah, and Dracula.

llasram · 03-27-2008, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IceHand

Alright, I admit it, I like love stories. But I don't like the stereotype romance novel. So, I'm looking for good love stories, but I'm having a hard time finding them.
Do you have any recommendations (preferably e-books, but paper books as well)? They don't need to be "pure" love stories, but it should be a main part of the book.

BoingBoing linked to the author of this short story yesterday. Does that count?

IceHand · 03-27-2008, 05:38 PM

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Thunderstruck and The Historian look very much like I might like them, so I will probably buy them. I'll have a second look on Galileo's Daughter. I've already seen the movie A Beautiful Mind, so I'm not sure if I want to read the book (I prefer reading the book first), but I might reconsider.
Furthermore I downloaded The Brushwood Boy and will read it in the next few days.

IceHand · 03-27-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llasram

BoingBoing linked to the author of this short story yesterday. Does that count?

Yeah, I just read it and it's a nice little story. I'd prefer novels though, but thanks anyway.

pilotbob · 03-27-2008, 06:17 PM

Have you read "When the Wind Blows" by Patterson?

BOb

acemccloudxx · 03-27-2008, 07:06 PM

Depending upon the level of ... adult content ... that you are comfortable with, I know a few that I can recommend by email.

One author that I can recommend here is Christine Feehan. I've only read the Ghostwalker books and the Drake Sisters. The stories have interesting plots and characters and strong romantic elements, though I found myself more often than not skipping the sex scenes.

Ace

JSWolf · 03-27-2008, 07:34 PM

I can highly recommend Exit to Eden by Ann Rice. The book is very good. The movie however is awful.

ProfJulie · 03-27-2008, 08:16 PM

Here's a mixed bag - all good reads:

The Thornbirds, Colleen McCullough
Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand
Doctor Zhivago, Boris Pasternak

acemccloudxx · 03-27-2008, 08:38 PM

I actually thought of Atlas Shrugged which definitely does not taste like chicken but you're right The Fountainhead is a good recommendation, though the romance is only one modest sized thread out of a dozen or so.

ProfJulie · 03-27-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acemccloudxx

I actually thought of Atlas Shrugged which definitely does not taste like chicken but you're right The Fountainhead is a good recommendation, though the romance is only one modest sized thread out of a dozen or so.

That modest sized thread out of a dozen or so left a lasting impression on me - if I recall correctly it is quite steamy. It's been a while since I read Atlanta Shrugged, but I supposed there was some kind of romance between Dagny & John Galt.....

ProfJulie · 03-27-2008, 09:07 PM

Around Valentine's day, I was wanting to read a good love story and started looking around (I do not like romance novels at all). I found this article, which provided quite a list.....I downloaded and read Wuthering Heights, and was very disappointed. The story was not at all what I expected and did not satisfy my urge for a good love story at all. But I'll work my way through the rest of the list:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/au...ooks.booksnews

acemccloudxx · 03-27-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfJulie

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/au...ooks.booksnews

Mostly blech. The Bard is always good though.

Here's a really good one: Anne Bishop's Black Jewels trilogy (fantasy)

Something lighter: A Quest For Chameleon, Piers Anthony (the rest of the series gradually goes down hill)

ProfJulie · 03-28-2008, 12:21 AM

Here are some more:

Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier
The Far Pavilions, M.M. Kaye

03-26-2008, 09:23 PM	#1
IceHand Linux User Posts: 323 Karma: 13682 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Device: Kindle 3	Looking for non-stereotype love stories Alright, I admit it, I like love stories. But I don't like the stereotype romance novel. So, I'm looking for good love stories, but I'm having a hard time finding them. Do you have any recommendations (preferably e-books, but paper books as well)? They don't need to be "pure" love stories, but it should be a main part of the book. From the top of my head only a few books come to mind that I've read that would fit my search criteria: Audrey Niffenegger - The Time Traveler's Wife Jodi Picoult - Salem Falls Nicholson Baker - Vox Terry Goodkind - Wizard's First Rule (I've stopped reading the series after Blood of the Fold, but Wizard's First Rule is great)

03-26-2008, 11:05 PM	#2
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	Rudyard Kipling's short story, The Brushwood Boy, would fit well, I think. I don't even want to spoil it by describing any part of it. There are "e-text" versions of it all over. Out of copyright in the US, though I don't see it in PG unless it's in one of the omnibus files. Q. Do you like Kipling? A. I don't know - I've never kippled. Last edited by Taylor514ce; 03-26-2008 at 11:14 PM. Reason: Added unutterable silliness.

03-26-2008, 11:25 PM	#3
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	You might also like the non-fiction book, Thunderstruck, by Erik Larson. It documents a murder, the development of radio, and yes, an unusual love story. A Beautiful Mind, Sylvia Nasar, non-fiction. The "love story" isn't nearly as prevalent in the book as the movie. Galileo's Daughter, Dava Sobel, non-fiction. Not a romantic love story, but it does document the relationship between the very public Galileo, and his very private (nun in an impoverished convent), but perhaps equally brilliant, daughter. The Historian, Elizabeth Kostova. Again, not really a love story, but the strange but passionate relationship between two of the main characters, husband and wife, plays a pivotal role. Oh yeah, and Dracula. Last edited by Taylor514ce; 03-26-2008 at 11:37 PM.

03-27-2008, 08:16 PM	#10
ProfJulie Evangelist Posts: 423 Karma: 890 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Device: whatever	Here's a mixed bag - all good reads: The Thornbirds, Colleen McCullough Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand Doctor Zhivago, Boris Pasternak Last edited by ProfJulie; 03-27-2008 at 08:24 PM.

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03-27-2008, 05:38 PM	#5
IceHand Linux User Posts: 323 Karma: 13682 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Device: Kindle 3	Thanks for the suggestions so far. Thunderstruck and The Historian look very much like I might like them, so I will probably buy them. I'll have a second look on Galileo's Daughter. I've already seen the movie A Beautiful Mind, so I'm not sure if I want to read the book (I prefer reading the book first), but I might reconsider. Furthermore I downloaded The Brushwood Boy and will read it in the next few days.

03-27-2008, 06:17 PM	#7
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Have you read "When the Wind Blows" by Patterson? BOb

03-27-2008, 07:06 PM	#8
acemccloudxx Java Master Posts: 49 Karma: 169 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maryland Device: PRS-505	Depending upon the level of ... adult content ... that you are comfortable with, I know a few that I can recommend by email. One author that I can recommend here is Christine Feehan. I've only read the Ghostwalker books and the Drake Sisters. The stories have interesting plots and characters and strong romantic elements, though I found myself more often than not skipping the sex scenes. Ace

03-27-2008, 07:34 PM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,740 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I can highly recommend Exit to Eden by Ann Rice. The book is very good. The movie however is awful.

03-27-2008, 08:38 PM	#11
acemccloudxx Java Master Posts: 49 Karma: 169 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maryland Device: PRS-505	I actually thought of Atlas Shrugged which definitely does not taste like chicken but you're right The Fountainhead is a good recommendation, though the romance is only one modest sized thread out of a dozen or so.

03-27-2008, 09:07 PM	#13
ProfJulie Evangelist Posts: 423 Karma: 890 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Device: whatever	Around Valentine's day, I was wanting to read a good love story and started looking around (I do not like romance novels at all). I found this article, which provided quite a list.....I downloaded and read Wuthering Heights, and was very disappointed. The story was not at all what I expected and did not satisfy my urge for a good love story at all. But I'll work my way through the rest of the list: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/au...ooks.booksnews

03-28-2008, 12:21 AM	#15
ProfJulie Evangelist Posts: 423 Karma: 890 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Device: whatever	Here are some more: Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier The Far Pavilions, M.M. Kaye