DASH & LILY'S BOOK OF DARES by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan [review]

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

Published: October 26th, 2011 | Knopf Books
Age: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 272
Acquired: Purchased from The Book Depository
Format: Paperback
Overall:

“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?

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 review:
Firstly, I loved the book "Naomi and Eli's No Kiss List" that these two also paired up for. So, I figured I'd love this one too...Not so much.
I didn't LOVE it... But I really really liked it.

When left to spend Christmas without her parents--who are in Fiji, the traditional foods & fun (oh, the horror), Lily's older brother, Langston, has decided he's had enough of Lily & her obsession with.. Weird things, he takes matters into his own hands. More like a red notebook. That he fills with clues for the poor lad who comes along & picks it up.

Dash just happens to be the one who picks up the book. He too, spending Christmas parent free, gives in and begins the red notebooks shenanigans. And that's where the fun begins.

I would love to have such an adventure leaving the notebook in the most random places for your "pen pal" to find, complete a task, and wait for the task you'll need to complete next task.

The vocabulary used in this book is rather ridiculous. I just don't see teenagers speaking the way they do in the book. Sarcasm & quick-wit is one thing, but the actual vocabulary throws me off. I get that they're wanting to create this world where people, especially today's youth, actually read & just so happen to know and use a dictionary (ahem, OED--Oxford English Dictionary)! But... Come on!!
I would like to see this on a screen, but it's no Nick & Norah!

By the time it ended it felt too wrapped up. I honestly didn't see much connection with them. Not enough to appear as close as they'd become.

I LOVED their friends (Dash) and family (Lily). Hilarious. This whole book was hilarious & I laughed out loud numerous times throughout.
Great book for thinking... About possibilities, love, Christmas, friends, family & words. (have a dictionary handy!)

Plot:
Characters: ½
Ending:
Writing:
Cover: ½


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Author Info:
Rachel Cohn & David Levithan have teamed up for two previous books, Naomi & Eli's No Kiss List and Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist--which was turned into a movie starring Kat Dennings and Michael Cera. Both are successful authors with their own books that you can learn about on their websites. (I've read and enjoyed Rachel Cohn's Cyd Charisse series.)

Check Rachel on her: website | twitter | facebook | goodreads

Check David on his: website | facebook | goodreads

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? [005]

Yay, it's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by One Persons Journey through a world of Books. Each week we spotlight the books we are reading, planning on reading or just finished reading.

Recently Finished:

• The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith (review here)
-This book was sooo cute. There was so much too it, despite how short it was!

• Saving June by Hannah Harrington (review here)
- I expected this book to be good, but I didn't expect it to be that good! It KIND OF reminded me of Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, which I loved!

• The File on Angelyn Stark by Catherine Atkins (review to come on goodchoicereading.com)
- This book was simply written. Not much to it at all. I read it in a few hours, but it still had depth. (I'll link my review to it later!)

Currently Reading:

• Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
- I loved Naomi and Eli's No Kiss List by these two and I am loving this one. But for some reason this very short book (260 pages) seems to be superrr long...!?

Up Next:

• Lola & The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
• Justin Listen by Sarah Dessen
• The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shavis

I've been a little roll with this contemporary challenge. It will always be my favorite!! Can't wait to finish my list. Hope I finish it & get to read more!! ♥

Link to your blog!! :)

Feature & Follow Friday

Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read
Featured blog: Progress & Procrastination

Q: Define what characteristics your favorite books share. Do they all have a kick ass heroine or is the hot love interest the Alpha Male?

It's probably that they have a girl who's lost and someone (friend, love, family, animal) comes along and helps them through whatever. There's love. Basically something I can relate to.

I have my favorites where there's nothing in common with my life, but those are fun reads. Nothing I really read for depth or to really remember. Mainly to forget.

Check out my recent posts:
» Review of Saving June by Hannah Harrington
» Review of The Statistcal Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
» Review of Die For Me by Amy Plum
» Tune in Tuesday (002)
» It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (004)

Leave a comment with your answer and/or a link to  your post! :)

SAVING JUNE by Hannah Harrington [review]

Saving June by Hannah Harrington

Published: May 1st, 2011 | Harlequin Teen
Age: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 322
Acquired: Bought from Amazon.com
Format: Paperback

Overall:

‘If she’d waited less than two weeks, she’d be June who died in June. But I guess my sister didn’t consider that.’

Harper Scott’s older sister has always been the perfect one so when June takes her own life a week before her high school graduation, sixteen-year-old Harper is devastated. Everyone’s sorry, but no one can explain why.

When her divorcing parents decide to split her sister’s ashes into his-and-her urns, Harper takes matters into her own hands. She’ll steal the ashes and drive cross-country with her best friend, Laney, to the one place June always dreamed of going California.

Enter Jake Tolan. He’s a boy with a bad attitude, a classic-rock obsession and nothing in common with Harper’s sister. But Jake had a connection with June, and when he insists on joining them, Harper’s just desperate enough to let him. With his alternately charming and infuriating demeanour and his belief that music can see you through anything, he might be exactly what she needs.

Except June wasn’t the only one hiding something. Jake’s keeping a secret that has the power to turn Harper’s life upside down again.

Review:
When we first get into the book, it immediately jumps into the funeral for Harper's sister, June. And there we get a feel of Harper, her mother, her best friend, her [toxic] aunt, and Mr. Jacob Tolan.

From the beginning of the book until the three kids set off for California was a little slow for me, but as soon as they leave, I did not want to put this book down!
It's no surprise that contemporary novels are my favorite, and this book is a prime example why.
They're real.
The pain and anguish Harper felt about losing her sister is depicted the exact way I would handle it. Blocking it out. Pretending it wasn't real.
When Harper first meets Jacob, the cliché what is with this weirdo, I can't stand him etc. etc. etc is there, but I like that. A lot.
I thought that this book was going to be dark and kind of depressing, but it really wasn't. It had it's moments where my eyes began to sting with tears over her turmoil, but for the most part I found it fun and rather funny. Sarcasm ALWAYS wins with me! And Harper enjoys her sarcasm. It's a defense mechanism. (I can totally relate).

Jake was the kind of guy who sat quietly listening (read: obsessing) over his music while the world goes on around him. Only putting in his input when he felt it necessary, which wasn't too often. And with that, you get a feel of who he is as a person. When he let's you in, he doesn't have to say much, but you still completely understand what he's talking about. And the strength he (silently) gives Harper is amazing and beautiful.

Laney is the kind of friend you want, but don't want at the same time. She's there for you, loves you, gives you a reason to believe in all types of love. But who she is a person to herself makes you want to run. You feel like there's no way you can console her the same way she does for you. When Laney is given her own devastating news, I love the shift, still sad--but at least the focus, for awhile--is no longer on Harper. I love that Harper drops everything to help her, support her.

Harper. I relate to her so much it physically hurts. Yet, I relate to her sister even more. (Yes, the one who committed suicide.) I can't really begin to say exactly how amazing, honest, real, just (ugh) Harper is as a person. It actually kind of makes me emotional. Too many flashbacks and present emotions she brings out.

There is a journey they go through that obviously shifts and shapes their views towards their lives. It kind of reminded me of Amy and Roger's journey in Amy & Roger's Epic Detour.... But...not.

Please, read this book. I cannot wait for more from Harper Harrington!!

Plot:
Characters:
Ending:
Writing:
Cover: ½


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Author's Info:
Hannah Harrington doesn't have much bio anywhere, so here are her links:
goodreads | blog | twitter