February is a month to think about love (of course) and relationships.

Books that might belong on a "What to Read in February" reading list:

Non-fiction for February:

Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needsby Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. This is the marriage book I recommend most often. No matter which spouse reads it (and obviously, it would be best if both do), this book can help you can change your marriage forever.

The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman. This one probably gets recommended second after the above. Even though I don't really believe any of us only needs one type of love expression (words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, physical touch, acts of service), it's helpful to identify how your spouse is already expressing his / her love for you and how you can respond.

A Severe Mercyby Sheldon Vanauken. This isn't a "how-to", it's a memoir of a marriage and a life. Makes for incredibly moving reading.

(If you'd like more books about marriage and relationships, check back on Friday, February 13 for a more extensive book list!)

Fiction for February:

For this list I tried to think of my top favorite romances or love stories. Here are the first few that came to mind (that I don't mention all the time like Pride and Prejudiceor North and South):

1.The Scarlet Pimpernelby Baroness Orczy. No movie or TV adaptation has ever done justice to this story. It's historical fiction, derring-do, and love conquering all: anything you could want in a love story.

2.The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novelby Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. One of my favorite love stories in recent years.

3. Stardustby Neil Gaiman. This love story and fairy tale is my favorite thing Gaiman has done.

Poetry for February:

Obviously, there are so many great books of poetry about love or romance. My favorites include:

1.Sonnets from the Portuguese and Other Poemsby Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

2.Love Sonnets of Shakespeare. There are many different editions for this one. Or you can find them online for free. No matter how you read them, they're classics for a reason. February is a great month to read them (or reread them).

What would you recommend people read in February?

Resources for Book Lovers: