Are you looking to have your heart stopped like Bella's is whenever Edward leans near? No vampires here, but you just might melt right off your couch while you're sinking into some of these romantic reads...
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
When wealthy, popular, perfect (at least on the outside) Brittany and gorgeous, tough gang member Alex are paired up as chemistry partners, the last thing either one of them thought would happen was love. This Romeo and Juliet tale of forbidden love packs a lot of heat, so be prepared to devour it in one sitting as Alex and Brittany try to keep their love a secret from their friends, family, and the world.
Black & White by Malorie Blackman
Set in an alternate England, Sephy, a Cross, and Callum, a Naught, have always been the best of friends, despite the fact that Callum's mom works for Sephy's parents. When Sephy discovers that Callum will be going to her school, she is overjoyed, though Callum is not so sure how it's going to work out- the thing is, he's going to be the only Naught in school. As high school progresses, Sephy comes to realize that not only is her friendship with Callum deepening into something more, but that their new, secret love is threated by the outside world's prejudice. When the simmering tension between the Naughts and Crosses explodes into violence, Sephy and Callum struggle to find a way to make their love survive in the midst of so much hate. If you like this one, check out the sequel, Knife Edge.
Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt
Lost and wandering alone in the woods, Keturah encounters Lord Death, who, much to her surprise, is young and beautiful. Fighting her attraction to him, she instead spins him a beautiful tale of love, and then, story unfinished, begs a reprieve of one day in which to find her own true love. Much to his own surprise, Death grants her request, on the condition that Keturah return to him at the close of the day and finish her tale. But when he finds himself falling in love with the mortal maid, Death is not sure what to do with the young, beautiful girl who has bewitched him, body and soul.
And, a few of Bella's faves and Stephenie Meyer's classic inspirations:
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
This has got to be my all-time favorite play. If you want to know why Bella is terrified by the line Tybalt falls, you've got to check this out. My personal favorite incarnation of these star-crossed lovers is the Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film Romeo + Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet in a visual extravaganza (with seriously fantabulous music) that melts and then breaks my heart every time I watch it!
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
"If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger." - from Wuthering Heights
Even though Edward sums this up as the tale of two "ghastly people," Bella loves the story of Heathcliff and Cathy because "nothing can keep them apart- not her selfishness, or his evil, or even death, in the end,"* so much that her copy is falling to pieces. If you want to read the story of a love so dark, strong, and passionate that it endures beyond the grave, check out this classic, chillingly gothic romance.
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Although Bella (and Stephenie!) loves all of Jane Austen's stuff, this is my favorite, plus it'll keep your mind off Edward, since Mr. Darcy's first name doesn't start with an E (it's Fitzwilliam, in case you were wondering)! Don't feel like reading Austen? Check out the BBC/A&E miniseries starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, or the 2005 film, directed by Joe Wright and starring Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew MacFayden as, IMO, the most gorgeous film (and Mr. Darcy!) ever. This is also being staged at the Rep right now, and it was fantastic!
Stay tuned to the blog tomorrow for a taste of immortality!
Megan
(who's totally going to the movies tonight for one last session of big-screen Twilight bliss!)
*Quotes from pages 28 & 29 of Eclipse
Perfect Chemistry by Simone ElkelesWhen wealthy, popular, perfect (at least on the outside) Brittany and gorgeous, tough gang member Alex are paired up as chemistry partners, the last thing either one of them thought would happen was love. This Romeo and Juliet tale of forbidden love packs a lot of heat, so be prepared to devour it in one sitting as Alex and Brittany try to keep their love a secret from their friends, family, and the world.
Black & White by Malorie BlackmanSet in an alternate England, Sephy, a Cross, and Callum, a Naught, have always been the best of friends, despite the fact that Callum's mom works for Sephy's parents. When Sephy discovers that Callum will be going to her school, she is overjoyed, though Callum is not so sure how it's going to work out- the thing is, he's going to be the only Naught in school. As high school progresses, Sephy comes to realize that not only is her friendship with Callum deepening into something more, but that their new, secret love is threated by the outside world's prejudice. When the simmering tension between the Naughts and Crosses explodes into violence, Sephy and Callum struggle to find a way to make their love survive in the midst of so much hate. If you like this one, check out the sequel, Knife Edge.
Keturah and Lord Death by Martine LeavittLost and wandering alone in the woods, Keturah encounters Lord Death, who, much to her surprise, is young and beautiful. Fighting her attraction to him, she instead spins him a beautiful tale of love, and then, story unfinished, begs a reprieve of one day in which to find her own true love. Much to his own surprise, Death grants her request, on the condition that Keturah return to him at the close of the day and finish her tale. But when he finds himself falling in love with the mortal maid, Death is not sure what to do with the young, beautiful girl who has bewitched him, body and soul.
And, a few of Bella's faves and Stephenie Meyer's classic inspirations:
Romeo and Juliet by William ShakespeareThis has got to be my all-time favorite play. If you want to know why Bella is terrified by the line Tybalt falls, you've got to check this out. My personal favorite incarnation of these star-crossed lovers is the Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film Romeo + Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet in a visual extravaganza (with seriously fantabulous music) that melts and then breaks my heart every time I watch it!
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte"If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger." - from Wuthering Heights
Even though Edward sums this up as the tale of two "ghastly people," Bella loves the story of Heathcliff and Cathy because "nothing can keep them apart- not her selfishness, or his evil, or even death, in the end,"* so much that her copy is falling to pieces. If you want to read the story of a love so dark, strong, and passionate that it endures beyond the grave, check out this classic, chillingly gothic romance.
Pride & Prejudice by Jane AustenAlthough Bella (and Stephenie!) loves all of Jane Austen's stuff, this is my favorite, plus it'll keep your mind off Edward, since Mr. Darcy's first name doesn't start with an E (it's Fitzwilliam, in case you were wondering)! Don't feel like reading Austen? Check out the BBC/A&E miniseries starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, or the 2005 film, directed by Joe Wright and starring Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew MacFayden as, IMO, the most gorgeous film (and Mr. Darcy!) ever. This is also being staged at the Rep right now, and it was fantastic!
Stay tuned to the blog tomorrow for a taste of immortality!
Megan
(who's totally going to the movies tonight for one last session of big-screen Twilight bliss!)
*Quotes from pages 28 & 29 of Eclipse
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