Good Books vs. Bad Dates: Maria Murnane Weighs In

In case your Valentine's weekend plans are still in progress, we've enlisted the help of guest blogger and AmazonEncore author Maria Murnane (whose new rom-com novel, Perfect on Paper, just released this week) to provide some literary inspiration for a different sort of date:

Ah, good ol’ Valentine’s Day is here again. If you’ve ever complained about being single, especially in February, then you’ve heard the following from your (non-single) friends: You’ve got to put yourself out there. Be more open-minded. You’ll never meet anyone if you stay home. You’ve got to have a positive attitude. Give people a chance. Etc., etc., etc. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We get it! But have you ever been on such a bad date that you wish you’d just stayed home and read a book?

If your answer is yes, then Honey, you are not alone!

Yes, it takes work to find the right person, unless of course you’re one of the lucky ones who meet the love of their life in college or at work.  But for the rest of us who are forced to endure the singles scene for the foreseeable future, once in a while we have a date that makes us want to throw in the towel, or just throw up. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, here are the top 5 titles I’d recommend for the single guy or girl who is JUST SAYING NO and just staying home:

1. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. History, romance, culture, religion, suspense, it’s all in there. It’s LONG, but it’s so entertaining! And remember, it’s not about just one night. Pillars of the Earth will be with you for many nights beyond February 14.
   
   
2. McCarthy’s Bar: A Journey of Discovery in Ireland by Pete McCarthy. This book is so damned funny that you’ll be too busy laughing to think about the fact that you’re dateless and alone.
   
   
3. Beach Music by Pat Conroy. This man has such an incredible way with words that you’ll get swept up in the story and forget you’re reading. It’s truly remarkable. Plus you’ll feel way better about your life when you realize that you aren’t half as messed up as these people are.
   
   
4. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Okay this is also a really long book, but it’s SO WORTH reading, especially if you are questioning what is really important in life. Read it! You will not be sorry.
   
   
5. Add More Ing To Your Life by Gabrielle Bernstein. Okay this is a shameless plug because I’m friends with Gabrielle, but I swear it’s a great book! It’s about how life (and love) is what you make it to be, something we all need a reminder of now and again, especially on February 14.
   

Happy reading! No matter how you choose to spend it, I wish you ALL a happy Valentine’s Day! --Maria Murnane

Maria Murnane worked in public relations for nearly 10 years before finally admitting to herself that she wasn't happy. Knowing she would be miserable if she stayed on the career path she was on, she quit her job, moved to Argentina, and began writing a funny novel torn from the hilarious pages of her life experiences with friendship, work, and dating.