This Valentine's Day, let's trade chocolates for a book, immersing ourselves in a world where our love story continues to unfold.
--The Last Chapter Book Shop, Chicago, Ill., in "a love letter to all romance book lovers."
If April is the cruelest month, maybe February is the strangest. Super Bowl Sunday in Las Vegas this year, for example, has been bookended by an ongoing football/music-themed love story (Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift) and Valentine's Day. Swift took home the hardware at the Grammys (album of the year) last week, while Kelce hopes to add to the collection after the big game this weekend.
In addition, not only has Swift announced that her next album will be titled The Tortured Poets Department (Dog Ear Books, Russellville, Ark., already has its own version), featuring a bonus track called "The Manuscript" and bookmark merch, but Las Vegas is booking bets on whether Swift will make it back to Vegas from her Tokyo concert in time for the big game. NBC's Today show is even recommending "Football romance books to feed your Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce obsession."
The Arkansas Times reported that every Tuesday for 10 weeks, starting March 12, Paper Hearts in Little Rock "will host a course that includes topics intersecting Swift's discography and literary classics. Viktoria Capek, a former journalist, experienced storyteller and avid Swiftie, will teach the class alongside Paper Hearts staff.... In addition to the materials for all the discussions, participants will also receive exclusive 'Dear Reader' merch and 13% off at Paper Hearts for the duration of the course. Everyone involved will also join into a "new, dazzling community of Swifties and book lovers," Paper Hearts announced on Instagram."
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| At Harvey's Tales | |
Harvey's Tales, Geneva. Ill., has its game face on: "The Super Bowl is this Sunday and we have gathered together some books for our football fans. We'd love for you to comment if you're more excited about the game or watching the commercials. Did You Know? In 2024, advertisers are paying an average of seven million U.S. dollars to air a 30-second-long commercial during the Super Bowl LVIII broadcast."
The other bookend is Valentine's Day next Wednesday. Indie bookseller favorites like Blind Date with a Book and Galentine's Day are popular options, and many indies have come up with cool ideas to complement their book selections, without help from Swifties or the Super Bowl, including:
Paper Boat Booksellers, Seattle, Wash.: "Bring a book that you adore and sway us with your words! That's this month's Book Swap theme and an open invitation to choose any book you'd like which makes it all the more fun!"
The Island Bookshop, Venice, Fla.: "Tomorrow is the downtown chocolate walk! We will be serving chocolate wine (yum) and offering delicious one of a kind gourmet chocolates! An event not to miss!!!! See you downtown! The weather is gorgeous!"
Inklings Childrens Books, Waitsfield, Vt.: "Come and join this Thursday at 3PM with Salt & Sand Studios! They'll help children create one-of-a-kind glass images for Valentine's Day!!"
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| At Athena Books, Old Greenwich, Conn. | |
lala books, Lowell, Mass.: "Did you know your Date with Your Shelf ticket automatically enters you in our raffles? We'll be drawing a prize winner every half hour."
The Literary bookbar, Champaign, Ill.: "If the prospect of games, and meeting fellow singles, polys, pals, and other cool bookish people isn't enough for ya--Gillian Gabriel will also be doing Tarot Readings! Mark our Valentine's social on your calendar--this Saturday at 7pm!"
Stacks Book Club, Oro Valley, Ariz.: "Join us for another day of bookish tattoos in the stacks!... Appointments are limited. If you're interested, you can choose from one of the custom flash designs shown here. Each tattoo can be done in black and red, or all black. Designs are repeatable, arms & legs only, with no changes."
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| At Thunder Road Books, Spring Lake, N.J. | |
Booksellers' Valentine's Day is celebrated in other parts of the world, too. Here's a sampling:
Ekta Books, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal, is hosting its second edition of "Valentine's Day Bookstore Date 2.0," a week-long celebration of love, literature and togetherness in the form of a scavenger hunt, the Kathmandu Post reported. Other highlights include a poetry recital and open mic session; a movie screening; bookmaking, painting/drawing on mini canvases and cookie decorating.
Analog Books, Lethbridge, Alb., Canada: "Looking for the ideal Valentine's gift for your book-loving partner? We have the perfect idea, Datenight at the Bookstore. Enjoy a Candlelight Wine & Charcuterie setting within your own private area of the store."
Westbourne Bookshop, Bournemouth, England: "HAPPY VALENTINE'S EVERYONE! We've got something for everyone in this year's windows. Tragical romances. Will they, won't they? Stories. True love matches."
Kings Co-op Bookstore, Halifax, N.S., Canada: "Not looking forward to Valentine's day? Pick up a copy of Ivana Sajko's Love Novel and get some anti-valentines featuring quotes from the book along with pins for the two characters, a failed Dante scholar and a passable actress."
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| At Curious Iguana, Frederick, Md. | |
In his 1973 novel North Dallas Forty, former NFL player Peter Gent described football this way: "There's no greater display of everything that's magnificent about sport in America and everything that's wrong with culture in America."
But an appreciation of the absurd coupled with a momentary suspension of disbelief are key ingredients for enjoying the Super Bowl, the Taylor Swift Effect, and even Valentine's Day. Especially in a year when the three seem braided together like (dare I say it?) a friendship bracelet.
Perspective is taking a well-earned week off. Love is in the air.