Announcing the Book Sense Valentine's Day Top Ten

This week Book Sense announces the 2005 Valentine's Day Top Ten. The list is produced in conjunction with the Association of American Publishers' (AAP) Get Caught Reading initiative. This is part of an ongoing initiative with AAP to create seasonal lists based on the nominations of independent booksellers nationwide. The next Book Sense and AAP Get Caught Reading list will be an Easter/Passover Top Ten.

Booksellers in the Book Sense program are receiving the Valentine's Day Top Ten in the January Red Box. For a downloadable PDF file of the 2005 Valentine's Day Top Ten, click here.

Looking ahead, Friday, February 4, is the nomination deadline for the April Book Sense Picks, as well as for the Poetry Top Ten. And Friday, the 11th, is the deadline for the Spring 2005 History Top Ten.

A full schedule of 2005 deadlines is available at www.bookweb.org/read/2330.

Nominations may be sent via e-mail to Book Sense Picks Editor-in-Chief Dan Cullen at [email protected], or via a convenient Web form at www.bookweb.org/read/6305.

1. ROSIE DUNNE: A Novel, by Cecelia Ahern (Hyperion, $22.95, 140130091X) "Rosie Dunne is a totally captivating tale of a man and a woman who, as best friends from childhood, could not find a way to realize the love they shared. The story is told through letters, e-mails, instant messages, and chat room conversations, which provide such personal detail that the reader feels like a frustrated friend searching for a way to get these two people together. You'll love this story." --Angela Anderson, Village Bookstore, Menomonee Falls, WI

2. ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE: A Novel, by Steve Kluger (Perennial, $13.95 paper, 0060595833) "Steve Kluger's Almost Like Being in Love is an absolute delight. Kluger tells the story of Craig and Travis -- the high school athlete and the musical theatre nerd -- who fall in love but go their separate ways after high school. Twenty years later, is it too late for Mr. Cupid to zap them again with his magical rainbow arrow? Great fun!" --Ken Favell, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop, Brookfield, WI

3. AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, by Niall Williams (Warner, $13.95 paper, 0446676012) "As It Is In Heaven is a novel of brave and unabashed love (and a bit of mawkishness, to boot). In this story of the romance between Stephen Griffin, a shy, Irish schoolteacher, and Gabriella Castoldi, a beautiful Venetian violinist, love won't be denied -- and the setting is Ireland. What's not to love?" --Gayle Borchard, Independent Books, Long Beach, WA

4. THE BALLAD OF VALENTINE, by Alison Jackson, Tricia Tusa (Illus.) (Dutton, $16.99, 0525467203) "Neither mailman, nor homing pigeon, nor smoke signal can communicate the affections of one shy suitor to his darling Valentine! Will she ever get the message? With this delightful adaptation of the song 'Clementine,' Alison Jackson and Tricia Tusa deliver a Valentine that will warm hearts of all ages and leave readers laughing!" --Alison Morris, Wellesley Booksmith, Wellesley, MA

5. THE CHARMED SPHERE, by Catherine Asaro (Luna, $13.95 paper, 037380203X) "This book is a romantic fantasy, but there is so much more to it than just a good love story. The tale of a world where magic is common (and where mages use colors and shapes to work their wizardry) is full of enjoyable, well-developed characters. I hope that Catherine Asaro writes more books set in this fantasy world." -- Leslie Christman, Horton's Books & Gifts, Carrollton, GA

6. 101 NIGHTS OF GRRREAT ROMANCE: How to Make Love With Your Clothes On, by Laura Corn (Park Avenue, $29.95, 0962962821) "For the truly romantic soul, give this book of sealed romantic ideas from which you and your partner can create memorable times together." --Grace V. Roth, The Town Book Store, Westfield, NJ

7. RASPBERRY CRUSH: A Novel, by Jill Winters (New American Library, $12.95 paper, 0451212142) "Belinda 'Billy' Cabot, downsized Web designer and, currently, cake decorator, must decide whether to give her formerly scruffy ex-boyfriend, Seth, a second chance. Sit back and relax. In this novel of love, sex, mystery, and laughter, you get it all." --Christine Freglette, The BookMark Shoppe, Brooklyn, NY

8. THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, by Baroness Orczy (Modern Library, $7.95 paper, 0812966112) "The French Revolution, a beautiful aristocrat in peril, her supposedly stupid husband -- what more could a romantic want? Adventure, history, romance, and swashbuckling make for great February reading!" --Janet Rhodes, HearthFire Books of Evergreen, Evergreen, CO

9. SOMEWHERE IN TIME, by Richard Matheson (Tor, $13.95 paper, 0312868863) "One of the all-time great romantic stories. A man's passion for a woman who lived nearly a century before is great enough to unite the lovers across the chasm of time." -- Maryelizabeth Hart, Mysterious Galaxy Books, San Diego, CA

10. THWONK, by Joan Bauer (Puffin, $5.99 paper, 0698119142) "This is a delightfully funny romance novel for teen readers about the dangers of getting what you wish for -- in this case a personal Cupid (who, for my money, would look just like Nathan Lane.) Yes, young romance can be fun." -- Lanetta W. Parks, The Compleat Bookseller, Chestertown, MD