3 favourite romantic comedy books from the Let's Make a Rom-Com podcast hosts
CBC Podcast series Let's Make a Rom-Com premieres Feb. 14
The hosts of the smash CBC Podcast series Let's Make a Sci-Fi are back with Let's Make a Rom-Com, an eight-episode series in which the comedians explore genre conventions and attempt to write a next great romantic comedy screenplay.
Comedians Ryan Beil, Maddy Kelly and Mark Chavez explore what it takes to make a romantic comedy, the cultural impact of rom-coms and whether three people with very different lived experiences can write a love story.
Let's Make a Rom-Com is an eight-episode series that launches on Tuesday, Feb. 14. You can find it on CBC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.
To celebrate the show, the three hosts shared with CBC Books some of their favourite rom-com books of all time.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Ryan Beil: "My pick is The Princess Bride by William Goldman, on which Rob Reiner's iconic 1987 film was based. If you have seen the movie but haven't read the book, do yourself a favour and dig into it! The narrative is framed beautifully, with personal touches from Goldman's own life story, and of course it is very, very funny. Plus we get to learn so much more about the backstories of Inigo and Fezzik.
If you have seen the movie but haven't read the book, do yourself a favour and dig into it!- Ryan Beil
"Life isn't fair, but it can be enjoyable, especially if you read this book!"
Save The Date by Tamara Summers
Maddy Kelly: "This was my most well worn paperback in high school. I borrowed it from my cousin Alysha and never gave it back because I loved it so much. Sorry Alysha! It's about a high school girl who's sisters all keep getting married. Every time she brings a date a 'wedding curse' strikes and ruins her sister's wedding. When she develops a crush on the wedding planner's son — can they beat the curse???
It's awesome. I could talk about it all day.- Maddy Kelly
"It's awesome. I could talk about it all day."
Super Sad Love Story by Gary Shteyngart
Mark Chavez: "Despite the misleading title this story about love and death and youth-worship and technology is a work of fiction. Science fiction. Though it does not necessarily check all the boxes of a romantic comedy, it is certainly incredibly funny and full of awkward romance.
Though it does not necessarily check all the boxes of a romantic comedy, it is certainly incredibly funny and full of awkward romance.- Mark Chavez
"The dystopian and not-so-highly exaggerated New York of the near future Shteyngart has set his emotionally damaged characters in feel even more relevant and close to reality now than it did when it was published 10 years ago. Or at least I think it does.
"I need to re-read this gem, it's been a few years. Join me!"
