Happy Valentine’s Day! This month, we’re dipping our toes into the steamy world of romance novels. So light up a scented candle, slip under the covers in your most comfortable nightwear and curl up with one of these bestseller books.
Honeycombers Book Club: Romance novels for Valentine’s Day
The Course Of Love by Alain De Botton
What happens after ‘happily ever after’? Find out through the lives of Scottish couple Rabih and Kirsten. Don’t expect a sugar-coated love story though. Instead, Alain De Botton gives a realistic perspective on modern-day romance. From electrifying dating days to monotonous marriage life to everything in between, the bestseller book stays true to its name by showing us all the facets of love.
The River’s Song by Suchen Christine Lim
Set in 1960s Singapore, the novel chronicles the tale of Ping and Weng, who both come from different family backgrounds, falling in love with each other. But young love soon gives way to realities of life with Ping leaving to the US for studies and Weng behind bars. Fast forward to Singapore on the precipice of modernisation, when Ping returns to rekindle an old flame. If you’re looking for something close to home with a bit of Singapore’s history, this is it.
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Did you know that the most-watched Netflix series, Bridgerton, is actually based on a bestseller book? If you’ve binge-watched the glorious period drama in one sitting (no judgement here), we suggest reliving the heady romance between Daphne Bridgeton and the Duke of Hastings with a slow read. Oh, and get comfy with a glass of wine.
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Judging from the title, this is going to be a delicious read. Meet Shay Goldstein, a producer at a radio show, and Dominic Yun, the new kid on the block. From the get-go, both are at loggerheads and things get only worse when they are both co-hosts for a new talk show. What’s the plot twist? Well, they soon develop feelings for each other as they pose as exes while giving out relationship advice on air. What can we say? Opposites attract.
Mr Right Across the Street by Kathryn Freeman
Mia Abbott moves to Manchester to leave her ex-boyfriend behind. Soon enough, she finds love right around the corner in the form of a very hot neighbour, Luke Doyle. They officially meet when she heads to the building’s bar for a drink. Turns out he’s the bar owner! This saccharine love story is filled with cliches but we ain’t complaining. Psst: maybe you happen to have a hot neighbour too.
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
In the vein of Red, White & Royal Blue comes an LGBTQ love story about Luc O’Donnell, whose estranged rockstar dad is back in the limelight. Now, he finds himself on the page of every tabloid. In an attempt to spruce up his public image, he fake dates good boy Oliver Blackwood who is a barrister and also happens to be a vegetarian. We have read enough romance novels to know how this unfolds, but what can we say? We’re suckers for love.
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
What do you do when you find out you don’t really want to marry your partner? Well, take a cue from Naomi Westfield. Watch as she navigates through her relationship with her wedding right around the corner. Using the enemies-to-lovers trope, Sarah Hogle shows us that relationships are hard work but they’re so worth it.
Honeycombers Book Club: Bestseller books in January
Get Your Sh*t Together by Sarah Knight
The same author who wrote The Life-changing Magic Of Not Giving A F*ck has blessed us with this gem of a book. Tired of slaving your life away in the office after work hours or procrastinating your workout routine? Fret not, Sarah Knight might be blunt but she says it as it is. Eschewing small talk, she cuts right to the chase and provides you with tools to basically get your life in order. From managing anxiety to saving tips, this bestseller book will help put your life back together – one page at a time.
The Little Book of Sloth Philosophy by Jennifer McCartney
These bizarrely cute animals typically get a bad rep for being slow and lazy. But Jennifer McCartney thinks otherwise. Drawing inspiration from their way of life, she shares with us the wisdom of mindfulness. She encourages us to slow down, be present in the now and enjoy what life has to offer. And the next time someone compares you to a sloth? Think of how peaceful the slow life is. Extra brownie points for the super adorable sloth illustrations.
The Happiness Hack by Ellen Petry Leanse
Having worked with big names like Facebook and Google, Ellen Petry Leanse has learned a thing or two about people’s tech habits. She believes that just like how we have created unhealthy habits with social media, we can also easily programme our brains to create good habits. With a pragmatic approach, she has created easy hacks to attain happiness. Above all, that includes less screen time and being more connected to the real world.
The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking
Written by the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, this book teaches you how to create hygge moments in your life. For the uninitiated, hygge – pronounced as ‘hyoo-gah’ – is a Danish way of life where you seek joy daily by engaging in cosy moments. In other words, think along the lines of reading your favourite book, lighting up scented candles and curling up with a good cup of hot chocolate. And if you need any more convincing, there’s a good reason why Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world.
Joy at Work by Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein
Suffering from back-to-work blues? Let organisational psychologist Scott Sonenshein and decluttering expert Marie Kondo help you get back to the office grind. Just look at their words of wisdom – for instance, personal stories and proven strategies. From clearing your email to cleaning out your office space, you will learn the art of sparking joy in a corporate environment.
Ask a Philosopher: Answers to Your Most Important and Most Unexpected Questions by Ian Olasov
If you’re on the road to enlightenment in 2021, this philosophy book is for you. It’s based on his Ask A Philosopher series. Ian Olasov illuminates your mind and understanding of the world by tackling life’s most fascinating questions with wit. Think along the lines of “Is ketchup a smoothie?”, “Is there life after death?”, “Should I give money to homeless people?” and “Is it okay to have a pet fish?” But don’t worry about scratching your head after you’re done. It’s a pretty easy read for a complex topic.
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How To Be Calm in a Busy World by Haemin Sunim
One thing the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us? We all should be slowing down to check in with ourselves. Take a cue from Korean Buddhist, Haemin Sunim. The self-help book is categorised into eight chapters including mindfulness, passion, relationships, life and spirituality. Plus, it’s peppered with wisdom and beautiful illustrations that will help you lead a slower, meaningful life.
100 Days to Brave by Annie F. Downs
Ever wanted to start your own business or try something new but your inner saboteur is in the way? Annie Downs will teach you how to let go of your fears and self-doubt. These short devotions span just 100 days. This is the year where you will embrace positivity and courage – speak it into existence!
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
What’s ikigai? It originates from The Land of the Rising Sun. That’s Okinawa, to be exact – one of the blue zone regions where people live long lives (over 100 years old!). Similarly, this Japanese lifestyle approach helps to find your reason for living. It covers the four cornerstones of ikigai: passion, mission, vocation, and profession. The pages take a deeper look into the way of life of the people living on Okinawa island. In addition, there are practical tools to help find what you love and what you’re good at, which essentially contributes to a fulfilling life.
Ready to start 2021 on the right foot with these bestseller self-help books?
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