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

Hardcover, 260 pages

Published: October 26th 2010

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

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?

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 Rating: 4 /5

My Thoughts:

A book that starts out in the NY book store Strand, is full of adventures and about finding that special someone who you click with & shares your quirkiness - SOLD!

So maybe this could be considered a fantasy book - the characters are not exactly believable (loved the boot thing & the Cinderella imagery - you'll have to read the book to see how crazy Lily is!) and the adventures that happen over the Christmas holidays are extreme, but it's fun to think anything is possible :)

The chapters alternate between the two main characters, Dash & Lily. Dash was forced to grow up a tad faster & is more introverted due to his parents divorce. Lily leads a sheltered life with family support galore. What they have in common though is their quirkiness and desire to not feel so alone. In the end, Lily gets that extra push to get out there and experience life, while Dash doesn't feel so disconnected and the future has potential.

Set in NYC in winter, this is the perfect cute & quirky read to get into the holiday spirit!

Review: Love Is The Higher Law by David Levithan

Love Is The Higher Law by David Levithan

Published: August 10, 2010

Publisher: Random House

Format: Paperback

Pages: 176

note: LGBT relationship involved

Synopsis:
The lives of three teens—Claire, Jasper, and Peter—are altered forever on September 11, 2001. Claire, a high school junior, has to get to her younger brother in his classroom. Jasper, a college sophomore from Brooklyn, wakes to his parents’ frantic calls from Korea, wondering if he’s okay. Peter, a classmate of Claire’s, has to make his way back to school as everything happens around him.

Here are three teens whose intertwining lives are reshaped by this catastrophic event. As each gets to know the other, their moments become wound around each other’s in a way that leads to new understandings, new friendships, and new levels of awareness for the world around them and the people close by.

David Levithan has written a novel of loss and grief, but also one of hope and redemption as his characters slowly learn to move forward in their lives, despite being changed forever.

My Rating: 4.5 / 5

My Thoughts:

I remember 9/11 like it was just last week. Working in the financial industry, we had TVs by our desk, though normally kept on the business channel. On 9/11 we got the dreaded call from a broker telling us to put on CNN. We see the first building up in flames, still not sure why a plane would hit, how it got so far off course...then we see the 2nd plane. It was so surreal, I guess this is my generations JFK moment.

I haven't read much about 9/11 and when I started this book I knew it would make me emotional. Love Is The Higher Law takes an alternating look at three teens views during, right after and a year later. Claire's story was the emotional & deep one. You probably wondered the same things she questions from this tragedy. Jasper appeared to grow the most, starting off more removed from, well, people in general. Peter was smack dab in the middle & like a crutch for both Claire & Jasper. I loved the idea of having the story told from three very different perspectives.

The book takes you on a bit of a roller coaster, staring out with the traumatic event, moving onto the shock/grief stage and ending with some peace & hope. A beautiful, touching story that gives us a glimpse of home a tragic event can touch lives in many different ways, even if you weren't there. David captivates the moment perfectly (the thoughts, the fears, the questions) of something I hope never to have to relive again.

My thoughts & prays are with everyone tomorrow.