Top Ten Favorite Love Stories in Books
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by
I think a number of my favorite love stories are similar to my favorite fictional crushes from my first ever Top Ten Tuesday.
1. The Tree and The Little Boy from The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein: This is the first love story I ever remember reading. I would visit my aunt and we would curl up in her papasan chair and read this book. As an adult I see that it’s kind of depressing and not necessarily a healthy love! I prefer to look at it as a story of regaining your childhood love 😉
2. Anne and Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery: Gil was my very first literary crush. Actually, aside from Davy Jones of the Monkees, he was my first crush! I have always loved Anne and Gil’s story. I read the books after seeing the movies as a child and I can remember thinking, “When are Anne and Gil FINALLY going to get together?!?!” Seriously, it takes a couple BOOKS! Compare that with some of the I-see-you-I-want-you-I-love-you stories out now and it’s insane! (Not that I don’t like those kind too!)
3. Lizzy and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Apparently I have a thing for they meet, they dislike, girl is aloof, boy secretly pines type stories. I just can’t help it. How can you not love witty, borderline snarky, banter and beautiful men? Also, mention the words “books” and “love” and I will likely come up with Darcy in there somehow!
4. Bryce and Juli from Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen: A sweet story of first love. Loved the book, loved the movie. Both made me sigh with contentment when done!
5. Beauty and The Beast from Beauty and Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley: This was always one of my favorite fairy tales. It helped that Disney made Belle so bookish 🙂 I love both of Robin Mckinley’s retellings for different reasons.
6. Gabry, Catcher, and Elias from The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan: No, this is NOT a threesome. I listed all three for two main reasons… 1. I think Carrie Ryan writes some of the best love triangles. This one is one of my all time favorites! 2. I didn’t want to give away what happens.
7. Pretty much any romantic connection in the Wicked Lovely Series by Melissa Marr: There are so many! I’m a huge Seth fan. I love the way that Ms. Marr created the whole Aislinn/Seth/Keenan/Donia dynamic. Brilliant!
8. Alex and Brittany from Perfect Chemisty by Simone Elkeles: I love the idea of redeeming love. I also like that it isn’t just the “good” girl saving the “bad” boy. They help each other and become better individually rather than co-dependently!
9. Cabel and Janie from Wake trilogy by Lisa McMann: Okay, apparently I also have a thing for the incredibly broken people fall in love an heal thing! I love these books and the way these two characters support each other through all the crazy. I also love the crazy!
10. Han and Leia from Star Wars by George Lucas: I know, I know… it’s not a book! I couldn’t help it. I LOVE them!! When Leia’s like, “I love you!” and Han’s all like, “I know.” How can you NOT love that?!?!?
There are so many more stories that I love. I tried to stick to YA for the most part. If I mentioned an author you could likely substitute any of their books for the ones listed 🙂 What about you? Who do you love to love?
smellincoffee
Great pairs! I never even thought of the Giving Tree, though that’s a special kind of love all on its own, isn’t it? The Beauty and the Best is an excellent story.
I thought about including Anakin and Padme, but I realized that’s just my appreciation for Natalie Portman and my weakness for strong female characters talking. 😉
Frl. Irene Palfy
hihi – love your Han and Leia pick!! :”)
Sonette
There at least 3 of the books on your list that I just have to read! But I sooooo agree on Han and Leia. When I was little that was the romance I dreamt of having one day! Great list! I’m a new follower!
Sonette @ Bookworm Blog
Lady Q
I love Alex and Brittany, too! Beauty by McKinley has been on my TBR list at the library forever, I need to read it! Here’s my List. It’s my first time participating and I just threw it together so I didn’t have time to elaborate. Next time I will 🙂
TwoBibliomaniacs
I love that you have Leia and Hans!!! I also picked P&P.
Christina / Book Addict
Good call adding Alex and Brittany- how could I have forgotten them? I completely agree with P&P as well as Anne and Gilbert!
Holly
Interesting list! Actually the Han and Leia choice is a book sort of. There is The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton. I read this back in high school and remember really liking it 🙂
kathy@bookskidslike.com
Ahh…Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe…enough said!!! “Flipped” in on my TBR list. I look forward to reading it!
Jessica (Firefly Book Loft)
Anne and Gilbert are one of my favorites too.
Haha Han and Leia. Too awesome 😉
Tribute Books Mama
here’s mine http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/02/top-ten-tuesday-top-10-book-to-movie.html
Rummanah Aasi
I love Anne and Gilbert! They are such a riot. I love the scene where he pulls her hair and she smashes her writing slate on his head. LOL!
1girl2manybooks
Lol Gilbert was totally my first literary crush too! They made my list as well 🙂
Sarah
Han & Leia made my list too!!
I love the thought of putting The Giving Tree on this list. That book is so beautiful. 😀
Anna
Gilbert was my first crush too! Most excellent choices!
vinay
These are really very great Love Stories. I really appreciated your site and the variety and style of love stories.