Biographies about couples with long-lasting relationships, not necessarily perfect or without complications.
Calvin and Alice Trillin's marriage was a love story for the ages. And in his moving tribute to her, it's easy to see why.


Clementine Churchill was the woman behind the man, Winston Churchill. Each of them suffered from being slighted in their youth. Her family members were poor aristocrats, and he was overshadowed and ignored by his mother, the beautiful Lady Randolph Churchill (Jennie Jerome). Clemmie and Winston formed a loving bond that was often shaken by differences but never broken.

In essay format, a number of writers share the story of their first celebrity crush. Contributing writers include Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, Roxane Gay, Emily Gould, and others. The book is full of tales of the awkward moments of late childhood and early adolescence, and is sure to send you back to that period in your own life.

Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald's love for each other had more challenges than others. She suffered from mental illness and he from alcoholism. This collection of their love letters reveals their devoted attachment.
The 2001 film Iris was based on John Bayley's memoir of his marriage to Iris Murdoch, novelist and philosopher, and of her battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Robert Louis Stevenson was a struggling writer when he met the woman who was to be his soul and help mate, Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne. Eleven years his senior, she had a mind of her own, and recognized Stevenson's potential and genius. LAPL's Robert Louis Steven Branch is named in his honor.
They broke all the rules when there were rules to be broken, and at a time when it was truly outrageous to be bad. Their tempestuous, extravagant relationship made sizzling headline news.

Mystery writer Dashiell Hammett and playwright Lillian Hellman had a tempestuous, unconventional relationship, accompanied by frequent power shifts and dependencies.

Love will find a way. Zakia and Ali grew up in neighboring tribes in the far reaches of Afghanistan, and fell in love. This modern day equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, presents the feud between two families, with a somewhat happier ending in real life. The two lovers escaped and went into hiding.

Lady Antonia Fraser's memoir of her life and marriage to playwright Harold Pinter. Their relationship and marriage lasted 33 years.


The Taj Mahal is a world renowned building, built in Agra, India in the 17th century, and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is included on this book list because it is a monumental structure built in loving memory of one woman, Mumtaz Mahal.

The biography of two major French writers is about their 50 year partnership. There was nothing sweet about their union, and it was definitely an open relationship. They always were there for each other--no matter what.
![Book cover for Yours always [symbol of a kiss] : letters of longing](https://lapl.org/sites/default/files/styles/staff_recommends_x97w/public/items/2020/33de702e4bf2171c03569712e1aca605.jpg?itok=s3yoYVUa)
Love letters are not necessarily all sweetness and light. In this collection many well known people reveal their heartfelt feelings to the object of their affection.