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.

Picnic

by William Inge

Publication year 1953

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Beauty, Social Class, Femininity

Tags Drama, Love & Sexuality, Education, Education, American Literature, World History, Dramatic Literature, Romance, Classic Fiction

When William Inge’s play Picnic opened on Broadway in 1953, it received much popular and critical acclaim. In the post-World War II era, in the face of rising paranoia and fear of communism, the televisions that had become fixtures in American homes broadcast idealized portrayals of small-town family life with shows such as The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952), Make Room for Daddy (1953), Leave it to Beaver (1957), and The Donna Reed Show... Read Picnic Summary

Porphyria's Lover

by Robert Browning

Publication year 1836

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Sexual Identity

Tags Poetry: Dramatic Poem, Victorian Period, Education, Education, British Literature, Historical Fiction, Romance, Classic Fiction

“Porphyria’s Lover,” written by English poet Robert Browning (1812-1889), was first published as “Porphyria” in the January 1836 issue of Monthly Depository. It went relatively unnoticed until it was republished in 1842, in the third volume of a series of 12 pamphlets titled Bells and Pomegranates. This volume was titled Dramatic Lyrics and featured several of Browning’s dramatic monologues. “Porphyria’s Lover” details the troubling murder of a young woman named Porphyria told from the point... Read Porphyria's Lover Summary

Powerful

by Lauren Roberts

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Hope, Love, Friendship, Social Class, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Romance

... Read Powerful Summary

Powerless

by Lauren Roberts

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Social Class, War, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Wins & Losses

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction

... Read Powerless Summary

Pretties

by Scott Westerfeld

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Community, The Past, Justice

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Action & Adventure

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld is the second book of the Uglies quartet. It is a dystopian science fiction novel set in a world where people believe they are leading lives of luxury, but the cost is more than they can imagine. Published in 2005, Pretties debuted as a New York Times bestseller in both its hardcover and paperback formats. Westerfeld has published more than 20 young adult novels, although he is best known for the... Read Pretties Summary

Pretty Little Liars

by Sara Shepard

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Loyalty & Betrayal, Community, Safety & Danger, Revenge, Memory, Guilt, The Past, Shame & Pride, Fear, Trust & Doubt, Grief, Coming of Age, Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Romance, Coming of Age, Horror & Suspense

Pretty Little Liars is a young adult fiction novel written by Sara Shepard. It is the first book in the Pretty Little Liars series, which features 16 books, along with seven companion novels. The highly successful series was featured on The New York Times best-seller list and adapted into a television show in 2010. The popular show lasted seven seasons and aired on the Freeform Network. Although Shepard had only written eight books in the... Read Pretty Little Liars Summary

Pride and Prejudice

by Jane Austen

Publication year 1813

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Shame & Pride, Marriage

Tags Classic Fiction, Romanticism, Romance, British Literature, Education, Education, World History, Historical Fiction

Published anonymously in 1813, Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen’s most well-known book. A “novel of manners,” which presents a realistic picture of society through the customs and manners of everyday life, Pride and Prejudice offers a glimpse into 19th-century English social hierarchies, as well as women’s roles and the importance of marriage. While Austen’s books were popular during her lifetime, she died before she was acknowledged as their author; when Persuasion was published posthumously, her... Read Pride and Prejudice Summary

Pride

by Ibi Zoboi

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Shame & Pride, Social Class, Community, Siblings, Family, Conflict, Race, Equality

Tags Romance, Social Class, Urban Development, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Pride Summary

Prince of Tides

by Pat Conroy

Publication year 1986

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Fathers, Mothers, Siblings, Mental Health, Masculinity, Childhood & Youth

Tags Romance, Southern Literature, Trauma & Abuse, Depression & Suicide, Modern Classic Fiction, Dramatic Literature, Classic Fiction

... Read Prince of Tides Summary

Princess Academy

by Shannon Hale

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Community, Education

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Action & Adventure

Princess Academy (2005) is the first novel in the Princess Academy trilogy by American writer Shannon Hale. This children’s fantasy novel follows 14-year-old Miri Larensdaughter, who, along with other girls from her village, is sent to an academy to train for the chance to become the future bride of the prince. At the academy, Miri learns to overcome interpersonal conflicts with her rivals and a stern tutor, confront her fears and insecurities about her place... Read Princess Academy Summary

Prodigy

by Marie Lu

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Politics & Government, Love, Friendship, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Perseverance

Tags Science Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

Prodigy (2013) is the second installment in the Legend trilogy by Marie Lu. In this young adult series set in a dystopian future, the United States is divided into two warring nations, the Republic and the Colonies. Prodigy follows the first-person perspectives of two teen protagonists first introduced in Legend (2011), June and Day, as they join a rebel group called the Patriots in hopes of overthrowing the corrupt government. As they work to take... Read Prodigy Summary