Thursday, July 24, 2014

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

Author: Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Genre: Contemporary, Christmas, Adventure, Romance 
Goodreads Blurb:“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.
Published/ing: October 26th 2010 Knopf Books for Young Readers
Rating: 4/5
Review:

Okay, I know it's summer. Or at least where I am. 

I bought this book back at Christamas because my friend, Spun With Words, was thoroughly obsessed with it. But strangely enough I didn't get around to reading the two hundred or so page book. 

Seeing it on my shelf while trying to pick out books for summer it made me sad sitting there. So I said, what the hey, and read it. 

The first thing I'd like to point out is the setting of the book; New York at Christmas. The writing of the book was so balanced between having the actual story going on, but at the same time having you picture this beautiful snowy background. It was one of those situations where the setting itself played a character in the story. 

Speaking of characters, let's talk about Dash and Lily. I have not read many books where two people are writing the same story from two POVs (Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green would be one). This is probably my favorite dual POV story so far because of how connected the POVs were. The chapters were chronological and included both characters, but they didn't awkwardly crossover through dialogue or the other character's inner thoughts. They were well thought out and flowed very well together. 

I thought Dash and Lily were such cute characters because of how dorky and teenage-like they were. It wasn't fake or too perfect to be true. 

Okay, wait, it was a bit too perfect to be true. Although the notebook idea was awesome and cute and really quirky, I thought it was all a bit improbable. They left the notebook in places that didn't seem that 'secure' or in places that somebody (janitor, little kid, nosy human being) could've easily picked up. 

That was my only low point in the book. Otherwise it is a very light-hearted, easy read. It is cute and fluffy, with a bit of mystery to it. I would suggest reading this any time of the year. 

Future News:
David Levithan is currently working on the second book for the Every Day series. Rachel Cohn is currently writing the rest of the books in her Annex series. 

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