To describe Super 8 in a nutshell, a group of kids are shooting a movie they want to turn in to a film festival when a train carrying cargo that is property of the US Air Force crashes into a truck. The small, quiet town that this occurs in is instantly shook up by the event as something truly alien escapes from the cargo hold and runs amok. However, the story is less about an alien and more about a kid growing up and coping with both tragedy of loss and the joys of first love.

A classic feeling of child-like wonder is evoked, reminiscent of classics like E.T. and the romance that blooms between the main characters is something real and innocent. It’s something you can’t ignore and it’s all over the story screaming “I’M HERE” amidst the mystery and wonder of an unfolding, military conspiracy and the adventure of a lifetime.

The 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility has two vastly different sisters looking for love. You have the sensible sister Marianne, played by Emma Thompson, who is reserved and afraid to show her feelings. In contrast, there is the romantic sister Elinor, played by Kate Winslet, who is wild and ready to find love at all cost. Hugh Grant also stars in this film. The film Mansfield Park, said to be Austen’s autobiographical novel, stars Embeth Davidtz and Jonny Lee Miller. Other films based on her novels include Emma, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion. Her most popular novel Pride & Prejudice has been put to film many times. The most recent adaptation was made in 2005 and stars Keira Knightley, and Matthew Macfadyen.

Jane Austen died at the young age of 42, but she left us six timeless masterpieces that will no doubt continue to be loved, read , and put to film, for many years to come.

One common thread in fantastic romance is to involve a werewolf in a love triangle with a human girl and a vampire rival. This allows for contrasting archetypes: the werewolf is rough, wild and emotional, while the vampire is usually aristocratic, also passionate but in a much more subdued way. The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer is one famous depiction of such a love triangle, though unfortunately for werewolf fans, the vampire wins in that and most cases. Perhaps this will change as werewolf romance continues growing in popularity.

Sci-fi romance, such as between a human and an alien, is also growing. However, since extraterrestrials are usually seen as un-humanoid, shapeshifting is usually involved. After all, there’s too paranormal.

Johanna Lindsey has a very popular series of historical romances about the Mallory family. Each regency romance is filled with humor, love and historically accurate backgrounds. “Tender Rebel” is one of the best out of the series.

Hannah Howell is another author who has managed to capture the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Her book, “Highland Honor,” is filled with intrigue as a man fights to free the woman he has fallen in love with.

“Spell of the Highlander” by Karen Marie Moning is a passionate book about one woman giving the ultimate sacrifice to free the man she loves from an evil spell. This story has a bit of the paranormal mixed in.

“Rushed to the Altar” by Jane Feather is a heartwarming story that reinforces the bond between siblings and the power of a man and woman in love.