Be Mine...or NOT: The Anti-Valentine's Handbook by J. More

Hello, hello!  Welcome back to another day and another post here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers!  I trust that February is still going along smoothly for most of you....--pauses potlitely to listen to your response-----still pausing----and we're back--...it's been a speeding train so far for me.  With work, home, and so many good books just waiting to be read, the holiday being thrown in on top of it all is simply not fair.  Speaking of the holiday...our book for today ties right into it.

So, it may not be the best time for me to write about this particular book seeing as I just recently had a dose of chick-flick goodness via the movie 'When in Rome', but you have to do what you have to do.  (No seriously...if you haven't seen it, it's a great movie for guys AND gals.  Definitely laughs, and sweetness throughout....Josh D. and Kristen B. make a cute on-screen couple.)  Okay, so I don't have to review this particular one, but I choose to.  It caught my eye when browsing recently through the Valentine's Day type books at our local bookstore.  It's not your typical book when you think of this love filled holiday, but it works on so many levels.  May I present the book choice of the day....

The Anti-Valentine's Handbook

by

J. More

Yes, readers....this is the book made for those either (A) against the holiday completely, (B) feeling a little put out in this overly loving season, or (C) anyone simply looking for a twisted yet fun look at the darker side of this long celebrated day. (Hmm...can I put in for two categories?)  One half of the book is dedicated to those that are with someone and the other half if for those that are not.  For guys, it explains once and for all the importance that is put on flowers, which color means what....and in the end that whatever one you choose will just leave your other half wondering what you were thinking.  Girls...they've got the top things NOT to text on Valentine's Day, what colors/outfits to avoid....as well as the downside of your 'date' being named "Cherry Garcia" (as in ice cream).  You'll laugh....you'll cry (maybe)....you might even agree with a few pages.  Whatever you do, don't face another crazy love struck holiday feeling like the odd man (or woman) out....know that you share it with many others odd-ies as well!

So, why did I pick up this book?  Well, honestly...even though I'm a bit of a romantic at heart, there is really only so much of the love fest that one can take sometimes.  I mean, February tends to bring it on ten fold.  Normal levels, no big deal.  Ten fold, a bit overwhelming at times...especially for those in the single world (ooh, ooh, me!).  You get the stores with aisle upon aisle of gifts.  Romantic movies in the theaters and on television; a general overall feeling love.  Now don't get me wrong, that's a good thing.  More love in the world couldn't hurt, that's for certain and I am certainly one in attendance to see those new romantic comedies.  I mean you've got The Proposal, The Ugly Truth, Leap Year, When in Rome and that's just here recently.  All fav's for better or worse.  This book though....definitely a funny favorite that will be a repeat around this time of year.  One of my favorites...the YOUR SONG....

"Say you're at a Valentine's Day dance.  You and your valentine hear a song that you both like, and you think, heck, this might be our song, our own special song, just ours.  You start to dance together, slowly and then you realize that everyone else there thinks it's their song too and that there's nothing original in this world and you're just like everybody else.  Sigh." -- pg 57

I know...it's a bit cynical, but come on...do you know how many people think "this is our song" when some of the really mushy ones are playing?  Our song ends up literally meaning, OUR song as in the collective OUR of a group.  Face value, cynical.  Underlying, truthful.  Top-coating, romantic.  It's all in how you look at it.  Definitely a fun book to say the least.  Is it for everyone?  Probably not.  I mean if you are a diehard Valentine's Day fan that never sees the downside or blue funk that the day can bring, it might not catch your eye.  However, if you've ever spent this love fest type day alone, wishing you were, or just have a good sense of humor...I definitely recommend this book. 

COMMENT CREATOR

So, Valentine's Day is fast approaching!  Any special plans?  How about your favorite movies?  (If you'd like to share, the comment section below is yours for the taking!)

Until next time....happy reading!