Hey book lovers,
I could really use your help choosing a special book for my girlfriend.
She just landed a new job (starts the second week of January 🙌🏽), and I want to do something meaningful to celebrate it. This year has already been a big one for us…we moved in together about 7 months ago, and I’m planning to propose next year. A lot of new and exciting things are happening in our lives — but also challenges, growth, and figuring things out together as we build our future.
I had the idea to surprise her by slipping a book into her work bag before her first day — with a handwritten message inside as a sort of love note meets encouragement card. She’s a huge fan of handwritten cards, so I thought this would be a romantic way to combine that with something she loves: books.
So here’s what I’m looking for:
A book that feels inspiring, hopeful, romantic (not required, but welcome), and grounded in growth, self-discovery, change, and stepping into new chapters. Something that says “you’ve got this” without being corny. Something she can read and feel seen, maybe even motivated. Fiction or non-fiction both welcome.
She’s Black and enjoys supporting Black authors, though it doesn’t have to be a strict requirement. She’s definitely the reader in the relationship (me? I’m still working on finishing a book I started a year ago, lol), so I’m turning to all of you for guidance.
Here’s a peek at some of the books currently on her shelf:(based on what I saw from her collection)
– People We Meet on Vacation – Emily Henry
– The Sun Is Also a Star – Nicola Yoon
– You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty – Akwaeke Emezi
– Heart Talk – Cleo Wade
– We Should All Be Feminists – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
– In Every Mirror She’s Black – Lola Akinmade Åkerström
– A few Colleen Hoover titles, poetry collections, and books with strong women leads or Black-centered stories
These are some books that were recommended to me by ChatGPT that I’m considering:
– The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
– Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani
– Happy Place by Emily Henry
– Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
– The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
(If any of these are worth going for, or totally not her vibe, I’d love your insight!)
I know everyone has different tastes in books, but I’d really appreciate any thoughts…whether it’s feedback on those titles or new ones you think might be a better fit. She’s the kind of person who would totally tear up over a thoughtful note and a book that makes her feel understood, so I just want to get this right.
Thanks in advance — from a guy with not-so-great reading stamina but a big heart.
by jimmyjam2244