Review: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan

Title: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan

Publisher: Speak

Release Date: April 5th, 2012

Genres: Romance, Drama

Medium: Paperback, Gifted

I will start off by saying two things: 1) I don't how many John Green novels I have read now (I should really figure that out) and 2) I expected something a lot different when I first received this novel.

Also, I want to start off by saying John Green and David Levithan are two of my favorite all time authors. (Actually, David Levithan sits slightly higher on my favorites list with his novel Every Day, while John Green sits in second, with an incomprehensibly small amount of space between them. Maybe it's a tie. I'll never know.) Anyway, I love them both.

This novel was quite different than what I expected. What I expected was two Will Graysons and their chance meeting which would ultimately cause them to fall in love. However, I was quite off. And to be honest, I'm not sure I'm liked the way it ended up instead. I feel as if with a novel called "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" they emphasis is on the two boys with the same name. When it turned out that this was not the case, I was bummed to say that one of the Will Graysons slowly and gradually faded into being a background character. The most emphasis was on the character Tiny and with that being the case, maybe the title should have been different? Of course, naysayers will attest to the title being perfect, and the meaning for it being this: The story is not centered solely on Tiny. The "Will Grayson, Will Grayson" is about the connection and the way the two met, which ultimately is what brings the other characters together and in return, the two Will Graysons finally find themselves. I completely agree with that! I just hate that the one Will Grayson (the straight one) was metaphorically put on the back burner. The ending also didn't meet my expectations. I kind of left off on a cliff hanger, like it very vaguely told what happened to Tiny and has friends and his other ex-boyfriend/boyfriend that we never found out if they made up or not? I was secretly wishing for the said Will Grayson to jump into Tiny's arms. But all together, I loved the plot and idea of musical theater. It was great and I simply flew through the pages.

The writing was terrific and utterly perfect as usually. The two are amazing by themselves and simply extraordinary when paired together. They are a dynamite duo that never cease to amaze and impress me and I will continue to follow them, both together and separately. I cannot praise them enough. To understand how good they are, you'll have to read all of their work.

All together, this was a great novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and deeply satisfied me. I recommend this novel to anyone because it simply opens minds. 

Review: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

Title: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

Publisher: Knopf

Release Date: October 11th, 2011

Genres: Romance, Drama, Contemporary

Medium: Ebook, Bought

Just a few words can sum up this novel quick if you are a fan of David Levithan and Rachel Cohn and those words are this: they sure haven't disappointed anyone with this novel.

This is the third novel by David Levithan I have read and reviewed on this blog, and by now, I bet you have grown tired of hearing me say "this author has yet to disappoint me." Well, you're going to have to get used to it, because after reading this novel by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn, I have to say, they have never disappointed me with their work! Dash and Lily's Book of Dares is just a testament to that, because this novel exceeded my expectations in every way and instantly became a favorite of mine. 

“I’ve left some clues for you.

If you want them, turn the page.

If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions? -From Amazon.com

First of all, the plot is exquisite in every way. If you are a bibliophilic like I am (and I expect that you are as well) then you will notice yourself slowly falling irrevocably in love with it and the characters inside it. The plot is so unique and utterly gorgeous that it simply takes your breath away. It's realistic, romantic, and perfect in every sense of the word. It's believable, so much, that I am dreaming and hoping there will come a day that it may happen to myself! The plot is quite sporadic in the way that it is like life- because life is sporadic, this novel is a true contemporary. It shows that even though there are risks that come with taking chances, the final outcome may be a great enough award. This novel is a true romance that will dazzle and entice all literate and book loving people, of any age, male or female. 

The characters in this novel were also unbelievably amazing. Each and every character in this story was a natural and lovable, and they all played their own important parts in the story. With the point of view switching from female character Lily to make character Dash, their stories can be read by either sex. Honestly, this novel is so clean and truthful that it is a perfect read for any age and would be great for book clubs and read-alongs. There is so much simple and truthful love in this story that it is perfect for a group discussion. It's also one of those novels that you can read in one sitting; It is that good.

The writing? Breathtaking. Simple as that. I haven't read any of Rachel Cohn's work before this, but I will be sure to reverse that as soon as I can get ahold of one of her previous novels. David Levithan, on the other hand, has recently renewed my faith in honest, beautiful, emotional contemporary and has also become one of my role models. His writing is so raw and current that it is impossible to feel anything but sheer affection for his work. His writing is deep and intelligent, and every word feels like it has been hand picked to go there. It's magnificent, and really, no other author can compare. David Levithan's writing is as good as it gets.

If you are looking for an emotional and beautifully woven romance with a flowing plot and lovable characters, writing that takes your breath away, and the overall "package," then this novel is just what you need. Five stars.

Review: The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

Title: The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan
Publisher: Picador
Release Date: January 17, 2012
Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Romance
Medium: Ebook, Bought

I read my first novel of David Levithan a couple months back, when I received an ARC paperback of Two Boys Kissing from Random House Publishers. Then, just a few weeks ago, I bought a paperback copy of Every Day, and it became one of my favorite novels ever. Now, I found the ebook of The Lover's Dictionary, a novel I wish I could have purchased a paperback of instead (since I am trying to buy all of his works) but haven't been able to buy it yet. This novel has also become one of my favorites, as I read it in one sitting, partly because it was such a quick red and mostly because it was that good. Of course, Levithan has yet to disappoint. This novel is unique, original, and unforgettable. And definitely one for the years to come.

The plot was exceptional. Told through the unique and memorable prose of dictionary entries, each beginning with a word and a relative story entry. Levithan tells the story, each page and each vocab word assigned to an intimate and emotional part of a relationship. Before your eyes, these dictionary entries reveal a love story. Unlike the fairy tale romances and unjust stories of incomprehensible 'love,' this novel instead puts a real relationship under a microscope, telling everything from troubles with trust and making it work, to those little instances of real love, when you see something normal in that person that you can't help but love unconditionally. This novel has it all.

As usual, David Levithan's brings emotional and real writing to the table. He's not only skilled but phenomenal in the way he seems to know just what to write. It's amazing how he knows just exactly what will hit you in heart, just what will make you happy or sad, what will make you smile or frown, laugh or cry. His writing is deep and intimate, and surely whole and personal, since nothing this emotional could be faked. His writing delves deeper than just words on a page; it hits you write where it hurts, or, right where it matters. Either way, it hits you in your heart. I cannot wait to read more from this exceptional author. Five stars.

Review: Every Day by David Levithan

 

Title: Every Day by David Levithan
Publisher: Ember
Release Date: September 10th, 2013
Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Romance 
Medium: Paperback, Bought

The first book I ever read by David Levithan was Two Boys Kissing. The novel was great and I was instantly in love with his writing. The emotional depth he puts into his novels, as if he puts full emotional capability behind each word, as if each word was personally chosen to go in that exact place. It makes you feel as if you are reading something deep and personal, intimate because it is so heartfelt and realistic. This novel does not differ from his others. His honest, raw way of writing is still present and is as gripping and heartbreaking as ever.

In this novel, A, basically defined as a human since s/he doesn't specifically have a gender. Every day, A wakes in the body of another person, male or female. A lives through birthdays and anniversaries, deaths and births, relationships and family problems, all belonging to someone else. A must experience these things and use the person's memories to make sure s/he doesn't alter that life. When A goes to sleep each night, s/he faces the reality that s/he will never be in that body again, and will be in a new one come morning. This has always been the same until one day, A is dropped into a life connected to Rhiannon, a girl A ultimately falls in love with. As A is passed around into several lifes, s/he always comes back to find Rhiannon. But when one of the bodies A woke up in realizes what has happened and tries to get answers from A, A must figure out if a relationship with Rhiannon is possible or if he should just move on to the next life.

The plot of this story is pure genious. This story is so in depth and emotionally, and really makes you think. You see how A changes as the novel goes on, and begin to see things differently than before. As usual, David Levithan's writing shows you that love cannot always be characterized as a girl and a boy or a couple with a happy ending. In the words of Aristotle, "Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." That's it. One soul, two bodies. No further explanation, but David sure strives to explain it himself. And he does it well. And as usual, David Levithan's work showcases a subject normally seen in black and white, but delves deeper into what we would see as the grayscale area. Nothing is black and white, and this story shows this perfectly. David writes of love in many forms and ways, and each time, he leaves your heart feeling lighter and your eyes brighter (and maybe even a little wetter.)

If you are looking for a novel that pushes the limits and challenges you to think, than this is what you need. I know that as a great fan of John Green and David Levithan, their writing can create quite the obsession. So go ahead and grab a copy of Every Day. And after that, read Two Boys Kissing. And after that, read another. And another, and another... Five stars.