Romance

"The course of true love never did run smooth," wrote William Shakespeare in A Midsummer Night's Dream—and he knew what he was talking about. A text from this study guide collection might be just the thing to remind you of the bliss and pain of love.

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Gender, Relationships: Family, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Beauty

Tags Love / Sexuality, Realistic Fiction, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Historical Fiction, Romance


Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Fathers

Tags Race / Racism, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance

On its publication in 2018, An American Marriage received critical acclaim for its examination of the complex dynamic of contemporary relationships and its timely exploration of black identity in 21st century America. Tayari Jones, a professor of creative writing at Emory University in Atlanta, published three earlier novels, but it was An American Marriage that catapulted her to international acclaim. The book was a selection for Oprah Winfrey’s book club, a New York Times best-seller... Read An American Marriage Summary


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Gothic Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, History: World


Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Action / Adventure, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, History: World

An Echo in the Bone (2009) is the seventh novel in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Combining elements of the historical fiction, adventure, fantasy, magical realism, and romance genres, the series follows the adventures of Claire Randall, a WWII battle nurse who accidentally time travels to 18th-century Scotland and falls in love with Jamie Fraser, a Highland warrior. Over the course of 10 planned novels, Gabaldon follows Claire, Jamie, and their family as they... Read An Echo in the Bone Summary


Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: War

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Book DetailAn Ember in the Ashes, published by Razorbill in 2015, is the first in Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes series. The novel debuted at number two on the young adult New York Times best seller list and was also a USA Today and international bestselling book. In addition, TIME magazine named it one of the 100 Best Fantasy Books of all Time. It won the People’s Choice Award for favorite fantasy in... Read An Ember in the Ashes Summary


Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Identity: Disability, Identity: Gender, Identity: Mental Health, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Romance


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Race, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Equality, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger

Tags Race / Racism, Social Justice, History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance


Publication year 1895

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Marriage, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: Politics & Government, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Art

Tags Play: Comedy / Satire, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Romance, Victorian Literature / Period, Humor, Classic Fiction

An Ideal Husband is a satirical play about blackmail, politics, morality, and marriage by Victorian writer Oscar Wilde. It was first performed at the Theatre Royal in Haymarket, London, on January 3, 1895. Wilde was an acclaimed playwright in London at the time, though his imprisonment in late 1895 marked his fall from public grace. The play has since been adapted for both film and theater across the world, as have many of Wilde’s other... Read An Ideal Husband Summary


Publication year 1849

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Society: Community

Tags Lyric Poem, Grief / Death, Love / Sexuality, Education, Education, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, American Literature, Gothic Literature, Romance, Classic Fiction

The last poem Edgar Allan Poe—infamous poet and fiction author of the macabre—completed during his tumultuous life, “Annabel Lee,” was first published in the New York Tribune in 1849, two days after Poe’s death. Displaying the melodic lyricism, gothic overtones, and memorable imagery which informed so much of Poe’s work, “Annabel Lee” is considered one of the defining entries in his canon, and a classic of 19th century American poetry.The poem concerns the death of... Read Annabel Lee Summary


Publication year 1879

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Marriage, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Class

Tags Classic Fiction, Russian Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Romance

Anna Karenina is Leo Tolstoy’s second novel, following War and Peace (1869). Serially published in 1877, Anna Karenina depicts the efforts of its titular character to escape an unhappy marriage to her older, civil servant husband and pursue a love affair with a young and dashing count, Alexei Vronsky. The novel is a sweeping family drama exploring Tolstoy’s interest in marriage, family, agrarian politics, and gender roles. The work is also a portrait of Russian... Read Anna Karenina Summary


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Gender / Feminism, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Romance


Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Family, Society: Class

Tags Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency Era


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Romance


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Mental Health, Self Discovery, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Literature

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Magical Realism, Fantasy, Romance


Publication year 1607

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Femininity, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Classic Fiction, Play: Tragedy, Play: Historical, Romance, Education, Education, Drama / Tragedy, Historical Fiction

Book DetailsAntony and Cleopatra is a play by William Shakespeare that was first performed in 1607. The plot centers around the romantic affair between a Roman general, Mark Antony, and the Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra. It is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, portraying the downfall of Mark Antony and Cleopatra and their eventual deaths due to a conflict with Octavius Caesar, the future Emperor Augustus. Shakespeare had previously written the tragedy Julius Caesar in... Read Antony and Cleopatra Summary


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Humor


Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love

Tags Romance, Disability, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Love / Sexuality, Modern Classic Fiction, Drama / Tragedy


Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure


Publication year 1903

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Fate

Tags Education, Education, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Classic Fiction, American Literature

“A Retrieved Reformation,” by prolific American short story writer O. Henry, was first published as “A Retrieved Reform” in The Cosmopolitan in 1903. The story is an example of Realism, a literary movement popular in the US and Europe in the years between the end of the American Civil War and the early 20th century. Realism explores the everyday lives of ordinary people, using detailed descriptions and colloquial dialogue. Events in “A Retrieved Reformation” are... Read A Retrieved Reformation Summary


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Identity: Gender, Relationships: Mothers, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Literature

Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Romance, History: World