15 Great Pieces Of Relationship Advice From Books

We spoke to authors and attendees at Cheltenham Literary Festival.

Every autumn, The Cheltenham Literature Festival brings writers and readers together for a cosy and autumny celebration of the best in books.

Cheltenham Festivals

Cheltenham Festivals

This year, we hopped over to the festival to talk to authors and attendees about the most valuable lesson the books they love have given them about love.

1. We learned that love is what keeps us human.

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Without love, we become savage. —Lord of the Flies

2. But that not all love is good for you.

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Despair = Love. —Junk

3. Author Audrey Niffenegger reminded us the most important thing is to remember.

Ruth Early

Write it all down. —Harriet the Spy

4. And YA blogger Jo told us not to give up hope.

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Even if you you end up smacking him around the head with a blackboard... it's not game over! —Anne of Green Gables

5. We learned that every relationship has its own unique language.

Ruth Early

"Maybe 'okay' will be our 'always'" —The Fault in Our Stars

6. And that love will always be a mystery, according to author Annabel Pitcher.

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Love is mysterious and beyond definition. —The Lover's Dictionary

7. We were warned romance is only a two-player game.

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Stick with only ONE person. —La Rouge et la Noir

8. And that you have to be realistic about your partner.

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Don't love the idea of love, love the person. —The Quiet American

9. Author Jenny Downham pointed out that you've got to keep an open mind and open heart.

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"There are pleasures to be found where you would never look for them." —Gilead

10. We found out it's worth loving even if it doesn't last forever...

Ruth Early

First love doesn't have to last to matter. —Eleanor and Park

11. That you should appreciate every moment...

Ruth Early

"Some infinities are larger than other infinities." —The Fault in Our Stars

12. And that you should always take the risk.

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It's never too late to say "I love you." —The Remains of the Day

13. We learned that you don't owe anyone anything.

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"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." – Gone with the Wind

14. But author Jenny Valentine told us to open our hearts to everybody.

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You've got to love everyone. —Franny and Zooey

15. Because after all, friendship is the greatest kind of love there is.

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Friendship overcomes everything. —Life of Pi