No romance here

If you’re tired of love stories this February, I’ve curated a list of books with little to no romance for this week. This was a difficult task – I love a romantic comedy as much as the next person, and a lot of my favourite books do have a romance, whether it’s central or tucked away as a sub-plot. However, sometimes you need a break. Here are my top picks of books that have no focus on romantic love. Quick disclaimer: some of them do have a tiny bit of romance, but none of them are focused on it. I hope you love them.

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

Dolly Alderton is one of my favourite authors and I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve featured her in my column (I also once met her at a book signing and she said I had great hair!) This modern classic deserves a spot on the bookshelf of any 20-something woman. It’s a heartfelt memoir about how relationships, whether they’re platonic, familial or romantic, change from your 20s to your 30s. It’s beautifully profound and will leave you wanting to text your friends to tell them how much you love them. Additionally, I highly recommend the audiobook version, which is narrated by the author, and feels like a hug from a big sister. 

Paris Echo by Sebastian Faulks

This poignant novel revolves around an unlikely friendship between two outsiders in Paris. Hannah, an American historian, and Tariq, a teenager from Morocco searching for his mother, hold vastly different views of the city: Hannah harbours resentment toward Paris, while Tariq sees it as a gateway to freedom. Their lives intertwine as Tariq helps Hannah translate testimonies for her work on women’s experiences during the German occupation of France in the Second World War. This book is a slow burn in the best way, weaving together the past and present in a way that never drags.

How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie

Mackie’s novel is darkly hilarious and wildly entertaining in equal measure. I love a narrative where a woman wreaks revenge on the people that have wronged her, and in this case, that is Grace’s family. After her mother dies, Grace learns that her wealthy father refused to marry her mother after she found she was pregnant, and refused to help her financially. Grace devises an elaborate plan to get revenge on not just her father, but also her entire family, one by one. The novel bounces between the present, where Grace is in prison for a murder she, surprisingly, did not commit, and her recollections of her revenge plot. 

Lightseekers by Femi Kayode

As someone who has read a lot of mystery novels, this debut thriller by Femi Kayode stands out as one the best. It follows Dr. Phillip Taiwo, a psychologist hired by a Nigerian politician to investigate the deaths of the ‘Okriki Three’, three students who were publicly executed. It’s a fast-paced and intelligent novel; an exceptional thriller and a commentary of the history of Nigeria and the dangers of social media within the justice system.

One Pot, One Portion by Eleanor Wilkinson

I mentioned this as part of my Christmas gift guide, but I think it deserves its own spot. I’ve been using Eleanor Wilkinson’s recipes since my second year at university, when they were posted to TikTok, and now have been compiled into a fantastic book. The concept is simple: each recipe is made in one pot, for one person. This means no washing up and no being stuck eating the same meal for days on end as leftovers. I also love that it’s not just main meals. There’s desserts, breakfasts and meals to fit any occasion. 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

This novel hardly needs an introduction, but it’s the ultimate unromantic read. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy Dunne goes missing, leaving her husband Nick as the prime suspect. It’s difficult to explain why this book is amazing without spoiling it, but rest assured it’s as dark and unsettling as Gillian Flynn’s other novels, and widely acclaimed to be her best. It’s psychological, deranged and full of suspense, yet it’s so fun to read.