Review: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

Author(s): Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Release Date: October 26, 2010
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 260
Source: Bought
[add on Goodreads]

Summary:  “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 bestselling authors ofNick & 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?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

My Favorite Lines: Warning, there will be a lot.

Quotes of David's:
“You think fairy tales are only for girls? Here's a hint - ask yourself who wrote them. I assure you, it wasn't just the women. It's the great male fantasy - all it takes is one dance to know that she's the one. All it takes is the sound of her song from the tower, or a look at her sleeping face. And right away you know - this is the girl in your head, sleeping or dancing or singing in front of you. Yes, girls want their princes, but boys want their princesses just as much. And they don't want a very long courtships. They want to know immediately.”

“I was horribly bookish, to the point of coming right out and saying it, which I knew was not socially acceptable. I particularly loved the adjective bookish, which I found other people used about as often as ramrod or chum or teetotaler.” 

Quotes of Rachel's

“The important people in our lives leave imprints. They may stay or go in the physical realm, but they are always there in your heart, because they helped form your heart. There's no getting over that.” 

“I've always resented Hermione, because I wanted to be her so badly and she never seemed to appreciate as much as I thought she should that she got be her. She got to live at Hogwarts and be friends with Harry and kiss Ron, which was supposed to happen to me.”

Why I Loved It:  First off, please admire the cover.  Because the cover is incredible.  INCREDIBLE people!  This book was quaint and whimsical.  I use those words knowing that Dash would be proud.  The book made me want to bring back old words and use them in normal conversation.  Why is that?  Well I'll tell you.  Dash and Lily are two total opposites.  Dash is anti-touristy New York, a serious word nerd, and is cynical enough to be consistently described as snarly.  Lily loves Christmas and the touristy things about New York, and is a bit wise yet naive for her age.  Quite a conundrum, right?  Well somehow, in the midst of New York, these two are destined to meet.  Through a red moleskin notebook that is.  Lily leaves it among the stacks of The Strand *a dream of a bookstore*, Dash finds it, and the dares and relationship begin as they dash *wink, wink* around New York City.

It has a bit of that fate is real type feeling that brings in the whimsical quality that I adored.  The book will just keep you smiling as you turn through the pages.  And Boomer, Dash's friend, will especially leave you smiling.  He is one of the best parts of the book.  Rachel and David are incredible when they put their brains and creative sides together to create a book.  This book is especially perfect for the holidays.  If by Christmas you have not read this book, I am going to strongly suggest you get on it.  The book was strangely appealing for a book where the two main characters spend most of the time away from each other.  

Who Should Read It:  This is one of those great, quick read contemporaries.  Like I said, especially fabulous for the holidays.  I just happen to be reviewing it now.  But it is still winter....

        

Review: Love and Other Perishable Items

First off, I have had the craziest semester of my life.  Last semester I student taught and worked.  I spent my life working 15 hour days everyday except Wednesdays and Sundays.  Needless to say, I about died when I did have a break, and though I did read, I just didn't have the energy to blog about what I read.  It was a sad existence.  However, I am now graduated and celebrating my brief time of freedom.  I have promised myself that I will catch up and post reviews on the books I read.  We will see how that goes.  Anyways, now for my first review in FOREVER!


Author: Laura Buzo
Release Date: Decemeber 11, 2012
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 256
Source: NetGalley
[add on Goodreads]

Summary: Love is awkward, Amelia should know.

From the moment she sets eyes on Chris, she is a goner. Lost. Sunk. Head over heels infatuated with him. It's problematic, since Chris, 21, is a sophisticated university student, while Amelia, is 15.

Amelia isn't stupid. She knows it's not gonna happen. So she plays it cool around Chris—at least, as cool as she can. Working checkout together at the local supermarket, they strike up a friendship: swapping life stories, bantering about everything from classic books to B movies, and cataloging the many injustices of growing up. As time goes on, Amelia's crush doesn't seem so one-sided anymore. But if Chris likes her back, what then? Can two people in such different places in life really be together?

Through a year of befuddling firsts—first love, first job, first party, and first hangover—debut author Laura Buzo shows how the things that break your heart can still crack you up. 

My Favorite Lines:

“I wonder briefly if I could somehow broker a deal with God whereby if I put both my arms around Chris, his suffering would be transferred to me via skin-to-skin osmosis at a rate inversely proportionate to how much I love him.” 

"As we were driving down and then up the gully with those two huge wind socks, I had one of those moments when you get nostalgic about something as it’s still happening. Anticipatory nostalgia."

Why I Loved It:  I honestly used those quotes for a reason.  To me, they paint a truly beautiful picture of what the book was to me.  Laura Buzo has a fabulous way with words, twisting and turning them into something that delighted my very soul.  The book was fabulous and real and wonderfully Australian.  If you have ever had that incredible crush on the unattainable, this book will connect with you on a very real level.  

Working in what Chris refers to as the Land of Dreams, Amelia meets a boy.  A very charming and much too old boy.  They continue on to grow and cultivate a genuine friendship that leaves the reader jealous.  The real and raw power of this story appears in the way Ms. Buzo shows Amelia's yearning and Chris's confusion over his conflicted feelings for Amelia.  She shows love for what it really is.   Awkward.  Confusing.  Complicated.  This is no Hollywood love story where everything is just perfect.  It's a real world depiction of how the masses fall in love.  

I started this book on the way home from Tennessee.  And I finished it on the way home from Tennessee.  I didn't talk or text or let anyone else invade the world of Chris and Amelia.  I was enthralled.  I found it incredibly brilliant how she rewinded to show Chris's perspective of the story that Amelia had already shared.  I loved the way Chris's perspective was shown via his diary.  I have never quite read a book like this, and I can't wait to return to the world of Land of Dreams.  And lastly, I loved Amelia's refreshing conflicted idea of feminism.  And I now must read Kate Jennings.  There are a few snibbits of her writing included in the book that stole my very heart.  

And isn't the cover incredible?????

Who Should Read It:  Lovers of Contemporary, this book is a must-read.  I promise you that there is no disappointment to be had with this choice.  Also fellow lovers of boys with accents, how can you resist the Australian accent??