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OUR AFFILIATE RECOMMENDATIONS
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Moet & Chandon NV Champagne Brut Imperial
wine.com

Add to the romance with champagne. Moet & Chandon transforms the Champagne region's unique grapes, soil, and microclimates into the world's most famous celebration wine. Pale yellow with shades of green and thin bubbles, this champagne has a distinctive nose of fresh lime. Very ample on the palate with a subtle finish. The ideal champagne to start your dinner with a happy, sparkling note.

Vindel 8 oz.Champagne Flute - Set of 6
wine.com - $59.99

Enhance your champagne in these finely crafted glasses. Made with 24% lead with Micro-Crystal Dispersion using a special glass-blowing process, the result is a glass with more surface area, bringing out the complex flavors and bouquets. Each flute is also shaped to direct the flow of wine to the "taste zone", showcasing each wine's style and variety.

Wine Appreciation Guild Champagne Bucket
wine.com - $39.99

Elegant in black with ring handles, this bucket fits standard champagne bottles and brings a distinctive touch to your Valentine Day's table.

Stuffed Sole with Scallops & Crabmeat
a la zing - $19.99

A seafood delight for 2 that won't be forgotten. Hand0-rolled sole fillets, wrapped around a delicately seasoned blend of scallops and crabmeat, this is the perfect combination of flavors. Julienned carrots glazed with a light sauce of maple syrup and whole green beans with red peppers complete this delicious meal for light eaters.

Filet Mignon Feast
a la zing - $29.99

A hearty feast for two! Fork tender and delicious, Omaha Steaks filet mignons are accompanied by potato shells filled with a luscious blend of whipped potatoes, sour cream, cheddar cheese and bacon. A medley of roasted vegetables in a delicately seasoned butter sauce rounds out the treat.

David Glass New York Cheesecake
a la zing - $13.99

End your meal on a high note with this incredible cheesecake. A rich concotion of cream cheese and sour cream sits on a unique crust of graham crumbs, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Each mouthful is sensuous and full of possibilities.

David Glass Chocolate Truffle Cake
a la zing

This sumptious truffle cake is both elegant and intense. Made of the finest fresh ingredients, it packs a punch of bittersweet chocolate laced with expresso and hints of Grand Marnier. Nibble. Savor. Devour. Love and chocolate, how can it be better?

Valentine Chocolates Shop
BODEGA Chocolates

Select from heart shaped boxes in red and gold filled with traditional and "Demi" fudge truffle bars and Caramelo Delicias. Add a take-me-with-you cuddly bear to provide a touch of whimsy.

CD Shower Companion
The Sharper Image - $149.95

Sing in the shower with Mariah, Willie, or Luciano. This stereo CD player can go with you into the shower, outdoors, and anywhere else in your house. It comes with a digital tuner with 10 presets and single CD player and a wireless IR remote control. And the ramp-up alarm wakes you with a buzzer, radio or any CD track.

Car Cell Phone System with Digital Recording
The Sharper Image - $99.95

Turn your cell phone into a hands-free car speakerphone — and capture what you just heard with the Hear It Again™ recorder. Hear It Again™ records and stores the last 20 seconds of conversation. The system stores four memos and can record a 30-second "forward" voice memo. It plugs into car's lighter socket, and, as a bonus, continuously charges the cell phone's batteries.

Leatherman Juice CS4 Multitool
The Sharper Image - $79.95

Swiss Army knives pale beside this rugged 14-in-1 tool from Leatherman®. Take care of daily needs with the serrated scissors, can/bottle opener, corkscrew and straight knife. Or take off your glasses and become SuperMechanic with needlenose pliers, extra-small, small, medium/large and Phillips screwdrivers, saw, wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, and handy lanyard. Anodized glacier blue aluminum handles completes the superhero image.

Winemaker's Corkscrew
The Sharper Image - $79.95

Uncork any bottle with a confident, debonair flourish. Just hold the bottle's neck between the two comfortable handles, and press the top lever down. The non-stick steel worm burrows into center of cork. Lift lever back up and Presto! Even the most stubborn or fragile corks slip out effortlessly. Bravo!

Skagen Stainless Steel Pocket Watch
The Sharper Image - $99.95

Pocket watches are back. Skagen® combines tradition with technology to create a stylish, brushed stainless steel watch only 1/4" thick. The 1 1/8" face, charcoal gray with luminous arms and number markers, displays the day discreetly at 6:00 o'clock. The watch comes with a generous 16" chain and spring-loaded clasp. Japanese quartz movement and water resistant to 100 feet.

Women's Watch with Diamond Mesh Strap
The Sharper Image - $99.95

Delight her with this elegant women's watch from Skagen® of Denmark. The slim, charcoal watch with its minimalist styling is paired with a shimmering mesh strap. Both case and band are hypoallergenic, with a scratch-resistant mineral crystal face. Japanese quartz movement and water resistant to 100 feet.

"Talking Pictures" Photo Album for 24 Pictures & 24 Messages
The Sharper Image - $29.95

The "Talking Pictures" photo album preserves the sights and sounds of cherished memories. A 10-second message is digitally recorded for each of 24 4x6-inch photos bound with a soft, leather-like cover. Make it a gift to cherish by filling it with photos and personalized recordings. Flash memory preserves recordings, even when changing batteries.

Ionic Hair Wand 2.0 and Ionic Conditioning Quiet Hair Dryer Combo
The Sharper Image - $69.95

Pamper your hair by blow-drying? The Ionic system actually conditions hair by smoothing and tightening its protective cuticle layer. The Ionic Conditioning Quiet Hair Dryer features a mighty 1,875 watts of power and three heat/speed settings. The Ionic Hair Wand 2.0 adds styling versatility.

Foot Spa with Remote Control
The Sharper Image - $119.95

Soothe and restore tired, aching feet with a luxurious soak in the heated foot spa. Complete spa treatment includes vibration massage, jet-action bubbles or water jet, pumice, gel pads, and more. Create a symphony of pampering treatments via the wireless, programmable remote.

Body-Fat Analyzer/Scale
The Sharper Image - $99.95

You're not overweight - it's all muscle. Body fat percentage matters, and now measuring it is as easy as stepping on a scale. This device uses harmless bioelectric current to measure body fat and displays total weight and estimated body-fat percentage. Make it a joint effort: keep track of two regular users by pre-programming information with the built-key keypad.

Lighted 5x Travel Mirror
The Sharper Image - $49.95

What's handier than a slim mirror with adjustable lighting for day and evening? Optical-quality, distortion-free mirror is perfect for applying makeup, checking the 5 o'clock shadow, and everything in between. 5x magnification makes it easy to use even without wearing glasses. Just 2" thick when folded, it's a perfect gift for someone who travels - or who just has a cluttered bathroom counter.

About Netsurfer Books

Netsurfer Books is an e-zine offering short reviews of books and related items. We include listings based on recommendations from our staff and reviews from other individuals. Are we bribed to include any of these items? No. Do we receive a commission if you purchase an item through one of the links included here? Yes. Are we waiting to hear from you about what you'd like to see reviewed? Definitely.

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

Hearts, Cupids, and Red Roses: The Story of the Valentine Symbols

Hearts, Cupids, and Red Roses: The Story of the Valentine Symbols
Edna Barth, Ursula Arndt
Clarion Books; ISBN: 0618067914

01/2001 Where did it come from, this day that torments many a hapless husband or lover? (We try to stay gender-neutral, but the guys do seem to take it on the chin on this one.) Was it some vile invention by a conspiracy of retailers or is there more to it? "Hearts, Cupids" traces the celebration of Valentine's Day from its Roman and pre-Roman variants to the present day version. The slim volume is filled with interesting details. How is a rebus valentine different from a purse-puzzle valentine? Where did cherubic Cupid come from, and why wings and arrows and lace? Love the day or hate it, you'll learn a lot more about it from this book.

The Story of Valentine's Day

The Story of Valentine's Day
Clyde Robert Bulla, Susan Estelle Kwas (Illustrator)
Harpercollins Juvenile Books; ISBN: 0064436268

02/2000 Now try explaining that to the kids. This little book helps to tell the convoluted history in a simple and straightforward way. It's a delight with snippets of interesting information (the busiest day for the Post Office?) complemented by energetic illustrations in hot, jazzy colors. As a bonus, there is a section on crafts and fun stuff to do on Valentine's Day.

REAFFIRMING YOUR VALENTINE

The RoMANtic's Guide: Hundreds of Creative Tips for a Lifetime of Love

The RoMANtic's Guide: Hundreds of Creative Tips for a Lifetime of Love
Michael Webb
Hyperion; ISBN: 0786884347

02/2000 Being romantic should never be limited to the day designated by the greeting card folks. But for all of us overworked souls out there, it can be s-o-o-o hard to find the time and inspiration. Webb focuses on the many simple ways to nurture a relationship, and not by whipping out the platinum credit card either. While hundreds of helpful ideas are provided, the best is his advice to choose those that have special meaning to your own situation rather than following the industry-standard flower/candy routine.

214 Ways to Say I Love You

214 Ways to Say I Love You
Julian Biddle
Pinnacle Books; ISBN: 0786002344

02/1998 For love in small bites, this is a charming little book (96 pages) dispensing its wisdom in nuggets of one and two sentences. While most of the suggestions are timeless and not blazingly original, it's a lovely compilation to keep by your side for a quick reminder or as a gift for a friend or a loved one.

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
Gary Chapman
Northfield Pub; ISBN: 1881273156

10/1992 This is a book for those of us who want to understand why there are so many books named 10,000 Ways to Say I Love You, 2002 Romantic Ideas, 365 Romantic Gifts for Your Love, etc. etc. and why those ideas actually work. It enumerates and analyzes the different ways people communicate their love, and encourages partners to learn to understand and express themselves in each other's language. Timely help for the "but I married you, didn't I?" set.

52 Romantic Evenings: to Spice Up Your Love Life

52 Romantic Evenings: to Spice Up Your Love Life
Liya Lev Oertel
Meadowbrook Pr; ISBN: 0671318659

01/2001 There are many everyday expressions of love and sometimes you want to pull out all the stops. When the little ideas just don't have enough pizazz, you may want to try "Love by Chocolate" or "Recreate Your First Date" or other celebrations suggested in this book. The author provides detailed plans from location and attire, to food, drinks, and logistics (what to do with the kids?!). While not every scene is for everyone, you're bound to find some interesting suggestions for a sparkling evening.

A Taste for Love: A Romantic Cookbook for Two

A Taste for Love: A Romantic Cookbook for Two
Elizabeth M. Harbison, Mary McGowan
Random House Value Pub; ISBN: 0517147920

02/1996 If food is a shared joy, or the portal to the heart is a little lower anatomically in the stomach, here are eight scenarios for culinary romance. From breakfast in bed to delights for shellfish lovers or even vegans - to the perfect fireside dinner, each setting comes with mouth watering menus. The authors kindly provide not only detailed recipes, but also suggestions on decor, music, and the right words of poetry to heighten the mood.

100 Best Romantic Resorts Of The World, 3rd Edition

100 Best Romantic Resorts Of The World, 3rd Edition
Katharine D. Dyson
Globe Pequot Pr; ISBN: 0762706244

05/2000 Of course there may still be time to plan a surprise getaway. "100 Best Romantic Resorts" offers a wide range of possibilities to suit both your budget and your idea of romance. The resorts cover the world from the US, Candada, and Latin America, to Europe, Asia, and even Africa. From hard-to-find hide-a-ways to exotic locales to more plebian golfing paradises where someone will look after the kids, these 100 locations are also selected for spectacular locale, relaxing ambience, and most importantly, good service. After all, there's nothing like a surly waiter or cold food to kill the romance.

BOOKS FOR A VALENTINE

Love by the Glass: Tasting Notes from a Marriage

Love by the Glass: Tasting Notes from a Marriage
Dorothy J. Gaiter, John Brecher
Villard Books; ISBN: 0375505601

01/2002 This captivating memoir from the writers of the Wall Street Journal wine column is a celebration of love, life, and wine. Start with love at first sight at the Miami Herald and adventures with André Cold Duck. The tale grows over the years with good and bad times and good and bad wines, interweaving passion for wine with passion for each other. The authors, renowned journalists in their own right, established their wine column with their creation of "Open That Bottle Night": encouraging readers to seize the moment and drink that special wine they have been saving. A fine suggestion for this Valentine's Day from one of the best books of the year.

The Little Big Book of Love

The Little Big Book of Love
Lena Tabori (Editor), Natasha Tabori Fried (Editor)
William Morrow & Co; ISBN: 0688174159

02/2000 Not so little at 352 pages, this lighthearted smorgasboard is a delightful collection of everything from recipes and love letters to poems, pictures, songs and such. Most great works have an enduring theme. The pleasure of this book comes instead and precisely from eclectic juxtaposition. Whether it's Napoleon's jealous diatribes or Cole Porter with Sinful Chocolate Fondue, it's a delight for shared and solitary reading.

Dance Me to the End of Love

Dance Me to the End of Love
Leonard Cohen
Welcome Enterprises; ISBN: 0941807290

12/1996 Part of the Art and Poetry series, this slim volume marries Canadian Leonard Cohen's song-poem of the same name with 21 diverse works of art from Matisse. Cohen, best known for his bleak view of love, romances with lush, evocative words that resonate with the images of voluptuous figures all dancing, stretching, reclining with abandon in a simple affirmation of the power of love. More than a beautfiful coffee table book, it is a perfect gift for a loved one.

Butterfly Kisses ... Love Poem Wishes

Butterfly Kisses ... Love Poem Wishes
Marlon Williams
Positive Yardage; ISBN: 0965878325

05/2001 Marlon Williams's raw energy as a football scholarship athlete and break dancer is a new voice in poetry full of smoldering passions and dreamy intimacy. Vivid words invoke the facets of love: from innocence and devotion to the thrill of the hunt, this is a book of rich imagery not for aficionados of the less-is-more. If modern urban does not speak to your soul, take time to rediscover the classics from Browing and Burns to Shakespeare and Shelley in 101 Classic Love Poems.

MOOD MUSIC THROUGH THE DAY

Love Songs: Best of the Songbooks

Love Songs: Best of the Songbooks
Ella Fitzgerald
Uni/Verve; ASIN: B00000473Q

06/1996 There are few collections of love songs that can top this for pure lyrical beauty. The clean, sparse melodies may not have the drama of more elaborate arrangements, but starting with "From this Moment On" through "The Man I Love" and "I Remember You" to "Lover", Ella Fitzgerald delivers soulful music one song after another.

Greatest Love Songs

Greatest Love Songs
Frank Sinatra
Phantom; ASIN: B00005UPFI

Arguably one of the best male singers in the last century, Frank Sinatra recorded an enviable body of love songs. A compilation of 22 selections from the early 60s, this CD includes many classics such as "Fly Me to the Moon" and "The Way You Look Tonight", his outstanding version of "Night and Day", as well as other familiar and favorite numbers. Whether it sets a mood for romance or is an introduction to the music of Sinatra, this collection will have you hitting the "repeat" button.

The 50 Greatest Love Songs

The 50 Greatest Love Songs
Elvis Presley
Bmg/Rca; ASIN: B00005NP7U

Fans of "The King" will argue that, well, The King is The King. This two-disc collection goes head-to-head with both traditional Elvis hits such as "Are You Lonesome Tonight" and "Love Me Tender" as well love songs first popularized by other artists. In his inimitable, velvety renditions of a range of material from "Unchained Melody" to "Always on My Mind" and "Hawaiian Wedding Song", Elvis sets the mood with his mesmerizing power as a romantic balladeer.

Love Songs & Ballads

Love Songs & Ballads
Tom Jones
32 Jazz Records; ASIN: B00000I9KZ

03/99 And then there is Tom Jones. The booming Welsh baritone doesn't really need the gyrations and the bulge to make beautiful music. "Love Songs & Ballads" contains 24 selections that allow him to wrap his voice around the softer, gentler melodies including hits such as "Send in the Clowns", "If Ever I Should Leave You", "Bridge Over Troubled Waters", and, of course, the classic "Danny Boy".

Favorite Love Songs

Favorite Love Songs
Michael Crawford
Wea/Atlantic; ASIN: B000002J2M

Michael Crawford, a.k.a. "The Phantom" of opera fame is another in the line of singers who have the ladies swooning. Crawford's tender, expressive voice may not compete in power with his predecessors, but he manages to carry the listener into the heart of the song, infusing each word with meaning and emotion. From familiar selections from "Phantom" such as the tragic "All I Ask of You", to a wistful "Papa, Can You Hear Me" and the classic medley from "West Side Story", this collection will fill you with the music of a romantic night.

Love Songs

Love Songs
David Lanz
Emd/Narada; ASIN: B000056O1Y

A compendium of New Age pianist-composer David Lanz's work from 1983 through 1998, these are mainly solo pieces, where lovely melodies run untouched like a clear stream of music. The lush "Beloved", the beautiful "London Blue", and the gently moody "Farewell Amparo" showcase some of the variations of quiet emotion flowing from beginning to end. Perfect for the valentine who can hear the understated heart.

Love Songs

Love Songs
Miles Davis
Sony/Columbia; ASIN: B00000HZE2

02/1999 This collection of romantic songs drawn from different Miles Davis albums will have the purists drop dead and spinning in their graves. Yet there is nothing smoother to set the mood. Selections like "Stella by Starlight" and "Some Day My Prince will Come" will transport you to the dark, smokey club where the gorgeous stranger will saunter by your table and sit down any minute. The melodic "Old Folks" is just pure, poignant music. Hold each other, close your eyes, enjoy the rapture.

Romantic Italian Love Songs

Romantic Italian Love Songs
Luciano Pavarotti, English Chamber Orchestra
Uni/London Classics; ASIN: B000004218

09/1992 Of course no collection is complete without Love Songs from tenor Luciano Pavarotti in his prime. Drawn from a combination of opera and Italian songs, "Romantic Italian Love Songs" includes two of Puccini's most beautiful love songs, the inevitable albeit triumphant "Nessun Dorma!", and the touching declaration of love "Che Gelida Manina" from "La Bohème". Other favorites include "O Sole Mio" and "Core'ngrato". While the words may not be comprehensible to anglophones, the passion in the Pavarotti's music soars.

Falling in Love Again: Great Songs from the Movies

Falling in Love Again: Great Songs from the Movies
Nana Mouskouri
Uni/Mercury; ASIN: B000001DY5

03/1993 Nana Mouskouri may be a name better known to those who remember the 60s. Yet the lady with the glasses and the breathy mezzosoprano voice is enduring as she is prodigious. This CD, recorded some years ago (and not compiled) includes her unique renditions of classics such as "The Way We Were", "Smile", and "The Wind Beneath My Wings". A slight, unplaceable accent adds intrigue to the beautiful songs, promising strange, wonderful things for the evening.

Hawaiian Love Songs

Hawaiian Love Songs
George Kahumoku
Bmg/Win. Hill/Dancing Cat; ASIN: B000056CAF

Bring a breath of the tropics and the scent of pikake on the wind to your romantic evening with "Hawaiian Love Songs". Rooted in Hawaiian slack key guitar music, the CD includes both instrumentals and love songs, rolling effortlessly in languid waves. Hawaiian music aficionados will rave about technique and musicality in a perfect balance of tradition and contemporary influences. The rest of us bask in the pleasure of the melodic "Nu 'Oli" or the soulful "Lei Pikake".

A BOTTLE OF WINE, AN OLD MOVIE, AND THOU

Sabrina

Sabrina
Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart
ASIN: B00003CXCG

1954 There is something magical about romantic comedies from the 50's and early 60's. The story of Sabrina, the chauffeur's daughter who sets her heart on the handsome playboy but is ultimately wooed and won by his older tycoon brother follows a standard fairy tale line. There is the usual magical transformation - cooking school in Paris, and a fairy godmother - a French baron. But a charming script and a gamine Audrey Hepburn opposite the gruff Humphrey Bogart keeps the story fresh with sparkling chemistry and universal appeal.

Love in the Afternoon

Love in the Afternoon
Audrey Hepburn, Gary Cooper
ASIN: B00005RRK0

1957 Set in Paris, where "love is in the air", Audrey Hepburn again plays an innocent falling, this time, for aging playboy Gary Cooper. The story takes a charming angle with the incorrigible Maurice Chevalier as Hepburn's private eye papa who specializes in, you guessed it, extramarital affairs where Cooper figures prominently. Twists and turns build on this premise, providing witty comedy and enchanting romance in a delightful package.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Breakfast at Tiffany's
Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard
ASIN: 6305537313

1961 Audrey Hepburn is beguiling as the vulnerable Holly Golightly, a svelte beauty adrift on designer gowns and gifts from older gentlemen. George Peppard is the neighbor who befriends her, and in due course, friendship blossoms into love. The complications of their respective other relationships set the stage for this romantic and elegant gem. Lovers will be thankful for the liberties taken with Truman Capote's original and bittersweet storyline.

Audrey Hepburn Collection (Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, Roman Holiday)

Audrey Hepburn Collection (Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, Roman Holiday)

ASIN: 6302610699

Make it an evening with "Sabrina", "Breakfast at Tiffany's", and "Roman Holiday", the story of the European princess giving her handlers the slip to wander among the ordinary people of Rome. If you consider a young Gregory Peck playing a newsman "ordinary", that is. Another bravura performance from Hepburn gives credence to the saying that stolen moments are the sweetest. Or save "Roman Holiday" for another day, though, if you can't bear to see the lovers part at the end.

Gigi

Gigi
Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan
ASIN: B00004RF9C

1958 Winner of 9 Academy Awards, this lavish musical adaptation of Colette's story stars Leslie Caron as the awkward young girl being groomed to become a courtesan. Things get interesting as her target, the debonair Louis Jourdan, decides he would rather play for keeps. Presiding over this is a crew of eccentric relatives - Hermione Gingold as Gigi's Grandmaman and tutor, Eva Gabor as Jourdan's former paramour, and Maurice Chevalier in another marvelous performance as Jourdan's uncle. The extravaganza also features a terrific soundtrack including Chevalier's "Thank Heaven for Little Girls".

TURN OFF THE TV, LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON

The Seduction Cookbook

The Seduction Cookbook
Diane Brown
Writers Club Press/iUniverse.com; ISBN: 0595169961

06/2001 To quote the author: "Start at least two hours before your lover arrives. Chop. Marinate. Puree. Wash. Cut. Breathe. Select your favorite bewitching table ...place a tablecloth strewn with rose petals on your bed, and explore the delights of finger-friendly food.." Recipes included, and a gentle admonition to be sensitive about food allergies. A complete collation.

Seductions: Tales of Erotic Persuasion

Seductions: Tales of Erotic Persuasion
Lonnie, Phd Barbach (Editor), Lonnie Garfield Barbach
New American Library; ISBN: 0452280591

01/2000 Keep the lights on and share a few from this collection of erotic moments. Aimed to showcase seduction in all its different forms, these tales move from dance to the dark side and from spontaneous to a meticulous campaign of near-military precision. The key for Barbach and her writers is the "delicious and unpredictable buildup" that leads to play and intimacy. Many tales are inventive, although the prose sometimes slide from the subtle into not-very-good graphic.

The Erotic Edge: Erotica for Couples

The Erotic Edge: Erotica for Couples
Lonnie, Phd Barbach (Editor), Lonnie Garfield Barbach
Plume; ISBN: 0452274648

02/1996 "The Erotic Edge" rises above being another volume of erotica with its shared approach. Some tales are written by men, some by women, and some by couples. So situations and events are seen from both male and female vantage points. It's not literature, but the graphic fantasies are creative in concept and can lead to greater communications. For a different experience, you may want to try the audio edition.

Kama Sutra of Sexual Positions: The Tantric Art of Love

Kama Sutra of Sexual Positions: The Tantric Art of Love
Kenneth Ray Stubbs
Secret Garden; ISBN: 0939263203

07/2001 The Kama Sutra has been referred to as a "bible" or detailed manual of sex. But its teachings are more about fulfilling each other's needs rather than mere acrobatic techniques. Stubbs's book is an illustration of some of the creative outpourings from the tradition. In large format with over 100 pictures and imaginative names such as "The Phoenix Flutters" or "Drawing the Bow", this is a fine addition in the "pillow book" genre.

OBSERVERS, PUNDITS, AND MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKS

Consider Love: Its Moods and Many Ways

Consider Love: Its Moods and Many Ways
Sandra Boynton
Little Simon; ISBN: 0689847033

01/2002 Boynton's delightful menagerie of cats, hippos, and other critters ponders the many types and states of love with whimsical verse. The illustrations are sweetly imaginative - "love hopeful", a rabbit with ears curled into a heart shape above its head - and devastatingly to the point - "love... well, cheap", one gorilla blandly offering another a banana peel. A refreshing commentary dressed in animal clothing.

Curmudgeon's Garden of Love

Curmudgeon's Garden of Love
Jon Winokur
Plume; ISBN: 0452265517

01/1991 A follow up to Winokur's original "Curmudgeon" book, this compilation provides hundreds of quotes and stories on the topic of love and the human condition. Hilarious, cynical, sad, there is a choice tidbit for every mood and every occasion. Keep it handy where you can dive in for a gem or two when the inclination strikes.

Why Is Sex Fun?: The Evolution of Human Sexuality

Why Is Sex Fun?: The Evolution of Human Sexuality
Jared M. Diamond
Basic Books; ISBN: 0465031269

11/1998 A fun romp through the evolutionary biology of human sexuality and its differences from the rest of the animal world. "Why is Sex Fun?", by necessity, is a series of quick takes on facts and current theories, but it makes fascinating trivia for parties and nailing the significant other. Nevertheless, under the zippy guise, the author is able to summarize much of the current knowledge for the casual reader.

The Passionate Ape

The Passionate Ape
Craig Hagstrom
RiverForest Press; ISBN: 0970262655

04/2001 Described as the result of an anthropology hobby run amok, this book starts with the assumption of the provocative aquatic ape hypothesis and goes on to use it to explain the loss of easy female orgasms, child abuse, rape, and other traumas in the interactions between men and women. Definitely an alternative view to human and sexual evolution, and one that has found resonance with readers.

The Hell With Love: Poems to Mend a Broken Heart

The Hell With Love: Poems to Mend a Broken Heart
Mary D. Esselman, Elizabeth Ash Velez (Editors)
Warner Books; ISBN: 0446678546

01/2002 If the title leads you to expect an aggregation with an attitude, you'll be surprised to find a broad collection from classic as well as modern poets. Organized by the stages of heartbreak (anger, pain, depression, understanding, new resolve), the poems reach the full range of emotions, speaking to the timeless nature of love and relationships. Trenchant commentary at the top of each chapter adds a little zing. You don't need a broken heart to enjoy this one.

A VALENTINE FOR NEXT YEAR

10 Stupid Things Couples Do to Mess Up Their Relationships

10 Stupid Things Couples Do to Mess Up Their Relationships
Dr. Laura C. Schlessinger
Cliff Street Books; ISBN: 0060280662

12/2001

The Best of Dear Abby

The Best of Dear Abby
Abigail Van Buren
Andrews McMeel Publishing; ISBN: 0836262417

10/1989 Yearning for the 50's and a tough-mouthed sargent to pound some sense into you? Schlessinger's book for couples drills readers on communications, commitments, and acceptance of each other, and how to avoid the stupid traps in which we all occasionally find ourselves. Liberally dosed with traditional values and some unfortunately dated ideas on addiction and violence, this book is not for everyone. If you prefer a kinder, gentler reminder of the common sense principles of love and relationships, "Dear Abby" offers her take from marriage and the marriage bed (in more ways than you think) to teens and animals and all the bouquets and brickbats of life.

How to Succeed With Women

How to Succeed With Women
Ron Louis, David Copeland
Prentice Hall Press; ISBN: 0735200300

09/1998 Rules for 90's single men presented in 90's bite-sized/MTV style still has applicability in the opening years of the New Millenium. Wisely starting with self-improvement, this compendium goes from where to go and safe flirting to first kiss, safe sex, and commitment. It includes mostly reasonable, common sense ideas - although some of the specific suggestions devolve into the comic or downright ridiculous. A 4-star rating from over 100 readers for a relationship book is a good measure of its useability.

The Technique of the Love Affair (By A Gentlewoman)

The Technique of the Love Affair (By A Gentlewoman)
Doris Langley Moore
ASIN: 0679444025

Getting to 'I Do'

Getting to 'I Do'
Dr. Patricia Allen
Avon Books (Pap Trd); ISBN: 0380718154

02/1995 To emphasize the enduring nature of the dance between the sexes, Moore's 1928 tract is as applicable today as three quarters of a century ago. Instructions for a successful campaign to get the guy is written as a charming dialogue between "us girls". The book is not easy to find, but worth a read if you can get your hands on it. For a more contemporary version, "Getting to 'I Do'" offers similar practical thoughts stuffed into the device of "male and female energies" and an unfortunate but inevitable title.

Keeping the Love You Find: A Guide for Singles

Keeping the Love You Find: A Guide for Singles
Harville Hendrix
Pocket Books; ISBN: 0671734202

02/1993 Rather than hand out facile answers, Hendrix requires the reader to make a serious attempt to understand him/herself. Topics such as childhood and dating and sexual history are all up for dissection. Exercises in soul searching can lead to eye-opening and sometimes uncomfortable realizations about one's patterns of behavior and choices. If this works for you, there is also a companion book of meditations and more other exercises.

VALENTINES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Mouse's First Valentine

Mouse's First Valentine
Lauren Thompson, Buket Erdogan (Illustrator)
Simon & Schuster (Juv); ISBN: 0689847246

01/2002 This lovely little book follows Mouse as he follows his sister around the house. She is collecting odds and ends "smooth and rosy" (ribbon), "white and holey" (lace) - but for what? Whimsical illustrations in a rich palette of valentine colors complement the delightful read-along text. A terrific reader for the little ones and a great start for bigger brothers and sisters making their own valentines.

Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink

Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink
Diane De Groat
Mulberry Books; ISBN: 0688152201

01/1997 When pressed to write valentine rhymes for classmates he doesn't like, Gilbert responds with characteristic candor. Predictable uproar ensues, followed by apology, kinder valentines, and forgiveness. Charming rhymes and amusing watercolor illustrations of the typical classroom kids as a zoo of assorted animals make this a keeper for the 4-8 set. The cynics will say it's never too early for a lesson in crisis management and damage control.

Olive You! And Other Valentine Knock-Knock Jokes You'll A-Door

Olive You! And Other Valentine Knock-Knock Jokes You'll A-Door
Katy Hall, Lisa Eisenberg
Harperfestival; ISBN: 0694013552

02/2000 When the inevitable virus of bad puns and knock-knock jokes hit your household, sweeten it with this collection.

"Knock, knock!
Who's there?
Peas!
Peas who?
Peas be my Valentine!"

Valentine Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family

Valentine Treats: Recipes and Crafts for the Whole Family
Sara Perry, Kathlyn Meskel, Quentin Bacon (Photographer)
Chronicle Books; ISBN: 0811825922

01/2002 In our frenetic lives there is nothing that speaks from the heart so much as something we have taken time to make. "Valentine Treats" is a delightful collection of possibilities arranged in four sections: cards, decorations and gifts, sweet treats, and menus. From pushpin valentines and burst-a-bubble painted paper to peanut btter with love sandwiches and bergamot panna cotta, there is a suitable and inventive project for everyone in the family.