Dreading V Day? Sick of the sight of over-priced bouquets, bubbles, and restaurant bookings? Perfectly happy to head off into the sunset in your own company, on your own terms, thank you very much? We hear you, and we’re here for you with this collection of books about being single.

While we love a good love story (see for yourself in our feature on why romance novels need more respect, and browse our romance and relationship category), coupling up isn’t the be all and end all of life, as revealed by Eric Klinenberg’s Going Solo, which takes a close look at the remarkable rise in living alone, and staying single, that’s happened since the 1950s.

Meanwhile, All the Single Ladies reveals how sisters have been doing it for themselves (more specifically, remaining unmarried) to an increasing extent since the 1890s. 

Then there’s What a Time to Be Alone — an empowering ode to writing your own story, and The Unexpected Joy of Being Single, which reveals exactly what it declares on its cover.

If you’re looking for a post-relationship pick-me-up, try Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found, Eat, Pray, Love, How to Be Alone, and How to Get Over a Boy.