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Today’s letter is brought to you by Sézane.
Books about love are some of my favorite to read. Not just the romances (though I do love a good rom-com or steamy novel!), but the books that explore love in all its complexity and forms. The love that binds a friendship, the love we have for our kids, the love that endures after loss, and the love we build for ourselves after heartache.
A great book is something you want to come back to, the same way you come back to a few pieces in your closet that always feel right. I’ve always loved how Sézane’s pieces feel romantic without being fussy: things you actually want to live in, like this cotton-wool knit that feels just special enough to wear every day without thinking too hard about it.
Or a red cardigan (my most recent purchase) that instantly lifts a gray day. Or a great trench that anchors everything else, or a cherry red ballet flat that creates interest in a plain jeans and top combo.
They’re the kind of clothes that pair well with the small rituals I associate with reading: an afternoon walk to the coffee shop, a few chapters before bed, a book tucked into your bag “just in case.”
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Here’s a reading list of books about love in many forms. I’m also giving away a special treat to a subscriber, so be sure to scroll to the bottom. ❤️
Seven Books About Love
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Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton. A romp of a memoir from a talented writer who can masterfully balance humor and heart. Alderton revisits and examines her escapades as a twenty-something woman living in London, including her former flames and perhaps the biggest love of all, her best friend Farley. If you love a coming-of-age story and books about female friendship, you’ll love this one.
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld. This is, to my knowledge, the first Jane Austen retelling I remember reading and loving. It’s Pride & Prejudice set in modern-day Ohio, and I think that’s all you need to know. A quick, fun, light read.
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck. While I’m not always the biggest romance fan, this novel has really stuck with me for its comic, witty voice and well-drawn characters that felt delightfully surprising. It’s a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers plot - a gender-swapped When Harry Met Sally about a chaos-agent comedian, Ari, and her counterpart, a buttoned-up, ambitious chef, Josh, whose paths keep crossing. (Goldbeck has a new novel, Daddy Issues, which I’m also dying to read.)
Mad Love by André Breton. Throwing a curveball here: I picked up an old copy of this book at a thrift store years ago, intrigued by the cover and title. André Breton is considered a father of the surrealist movement— and let’s just say it shows in his writing. It’s hard to describe: it’s a bit of poetry, a bit of philosophy, some vignettes. It’s an intriguing, slim book to pick up if you’re in the mood for a vibey, sometimes frustrating read that will reward you with a few morsels of profundity, like “Love is when you meet someone who tells you something new about yourself.”
Heart the Lover by Lily King. By this point, I’ve yapped all I can about this book, but for those new to all the rage: this story is less about romantic love, to a degree, and more about the impact our past loves have on our present selves, particularly the love we encountered at a young age. It’s a deeply moving book that explores friendship, loss, and forgiveness. If you loved the movie Past Lives, you might love this book that has caused many to weep!
Heartburn by Nora Ephron. Published in 1983, Heartburn is Nora Ephron’s bestselling novel, which is, erm, heavily based on her marriage to journalist Carl Bernstein. It details her discovery of his affair while she was seven months pregnant. A juicy, quick read packed with dark humor that’s a modern classic.
Set Piece by Lana Schwartz. A second-chance romance novel about a breakout TV star, Jack, and a no-nonsense bartender, CJ, who reconnect five years after a one-night stand on a movie set where he’s starring and she’s the production designer. This release from 831 Stories is quick, fun, and steamy. Great for fans of The Idea of You or Romantic Comedy.
Lastly, I asked our reader chat for some recs, and you all delivered with some great ideas, ranging from The Good