Announcing the 2006 Valentine's Day Top Ten

This week, Book Sense presents the 2006 Valentine's Day Top Ten. The list is produced in conjunction with the Association of American Publishers' (AAP) Get Caught Reading literacy campaign and is part of an ongoing initiative with AAP to create seasonal lists based on the nominations of independent booksellers nationwide.

Booksellers in the Book Sense program are receiving the Valentine's Day Top Ten in the January Red Box. The list is also available in PDF format.

1. THE PRINCE'S DIARY, by Renee Ting, Elizabeth O. Dulemba (Illus.) (Shen's Books, $16.95, 1885008279) "The Prince's Diary is a delightful take on the traditional Cinderella story, told from the point of view of the Prince, who sees things a bit differently. This unique version is beautifully illustrated, and it tells a story that will delight boys as well as girls." --Diane Van Tassell, Bay Books, San Ramon, CA

2. LOVE YOU FOREVER, by Robert Munsch, Sheila McGraw (Illus.) (Firefly Books, $12.95, 0920668364) "This story of the growth of love is a wonderful reminder that Valentine's Day is not just for lovers -- remember your Mom, too!" --Lynne Catelotti, Good Buy Books, Rensselaer, NY

3. I LIKE YOU, by Sandol Stoddard Warburg, Jacqueline Chwast (Illus.) (Houghton, $5.95, 0395071763) "This is always a favorite at Valentine's Day for those who just can't quite commit to the 'Love' word. The book's appeal transcends traditional romantic relationships in its celebration of friendship." --Linda Brummett, BYU Bookstore, Provo, UT

4. BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, by Annie Proulx (Scribner, $9.95 paper, 0743271327) "When I first read this work, almost 10 years ago, when it was published in The New Yorker (and before I had ever heard of Annie Proulx), I thought it was the most powerful and beautiful piece of writing I had ever encountered. It remains for me the most moving love story I can imagine." --Meg Kaufman, Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Island, WA

5. THE 100 BEST LOVE POEMS OF ALL TIME: Timeless Versus of Passon and Romance, From Old Favorites to Modern Classics, edited by Leslie Pockell (Warner, $9.95 paper, 0446690228) "Old favorites, new verses, and some surprises make this a great collection for the celebration of love." --Ann Carlson, Harborwalk Books, Georgetown, SC

6. ALL ABOUT US, by Philipp Keel (Broadway, $12.95, 0767905016) "This journal for couples is a fun way to find out things you never knew about each other, both serious and trivial." --Blake Hardy, Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, Atlanta, GA

7. Essential Manners for Couples: From Snoring and Sex to Finances and Fighting Fair-- What Works, What Doesn't, and Why, by Peter Post (Collins, $21.95, 006077665X) "So it's not exactly a romantic gift, but, darn it, why not give the gift that keeps on giving! Truly helpful advice, good humor, and hope for the future -- what could be a better gift?" --Karen Allman, The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle, WA

8. IF KISSES WERE COLORS, by Janet Lawler, Alison Jay (Illus.) (Dial, $15.99, 0803726171) "This wonderful book really expresses a parent's love for his or her child and makes a great Valentine's Day book." --Karlene Rearick, The Alphabet Garden, Cheshire, CT

9. THE MASTER AND MARGARITA, by Mikhail Bulgakov (Penguin Classics, $12.95 paper, 0141180145) "Witches, demons, vampires, and a pistol-packing black cat cannot hide the absolutely heartbreaking love story about a woman who literally goes to Hell to rescue the man she loves." --Donna Hawley, Howard's Bookstore, Bloomington, IN

10. THE STORY OF THE HEART, by Sandra Magsamen, with Linell Smith (Rizzoli, $39.95, 0847823369) "This look at the many meanings of love is wonderful." --Nancy Simpson, The Book Vault, Oskaloosa, IA