Invisibility - Andrea Cremer and David Levithan

Synopsis: Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life - because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen's mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen's NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don't go as planned, especially when Stephen's grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they're willing to make for Stephen to become visible - because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.  

When I heard about this collaboration I was so freaking excited. I've fangirled over both of these authors, a few times, and then to hear they were coming together to write a book about an invisible boy pretty much gave me something to anticipate highly. Andrea Cremer and David Levithan have very different writing styles and typical story structures, so I was curious to see how they'd blend their talents. Unfortunately, it just didn't quite work for me, and I'm a little devastated to say that I didn't really like this one.  

Andrea Cremer is fantastic at writing paranormal and fantasy and David Levithan is extraordinary with contemporary and magical realism. But I feel like there was a bit of a miss where these two different styles should have met. The set-up was really great, when nobody really knows why Stephen is invisible, but once they start explaining why he's this way and Elizabeth finds out how she might save him I started to disconnect. I found the backstory unbelievable and a little undeveloped. 

That said, both Andrea and David, are fantastic at character development and Stephen was definitely interesting to read about. I couldn't quite figure Elizabeth out and she isn't my favorite heroine, but I feel like there are definitely things within her character that you can easily connect with - like her fierce loyalty and her humor. Laurie, though, was the reason I kept reading this book. His character was fabulous. He has a history for being violently bullied for being gay, yet he's the most hopeful and light person in this story. He's always there to say what needs to be said and to support everyone. I almost wish this story had been more about him. 

I'm really sad about this one, but I got my hopes up too high and it just didn't meet them. I wanted this collaboration to work so much, because how awesome would that be? I hope other people like this book, though, and I'm just crazy or was in a weird mood when I read it. Because I really do root for these authors and the idea for this story is so cool.

Christmas Books Giveaway Hop

 Welcome to my stop on the Christmas Books Giveaway Hop. The hop is hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Laurie Here. Tons of other blogs are participating. To see the full list and hop along for the chance to win some great books go HERE.

I'm giving away two (2) books to one (1) winner! Someone will receive both Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn and Decked with Holly by Marni Bates. 

The details: 

• You must be 13 or older to enter. 
• This giveaway is international as long as the Book Depository ships to you.
• Fill out the Rafflecopter form below - you can only enter once.
• This contest will run until December 8, 12:01 AM.
• Winner will be announced by email - if you win you have 48 hours to respond before I pick a new winner. 
• Good luck and thanks for entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Every Day - David Levithan

Synopsis: Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.
With his new novel, David Levithan has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day. (From Goodreads)

Magical realism is one of my favorite genres, but I rarely come across books in the genre that I actually like. I find it fascinating since it's hard to pull off convincingly. But if it's done well, then those books are truly extraordinary. They also are some of the best books to highlight flaws in society. Every Day is one that was brilliantly executed because the magical elements serve a greater purpose, plus it was a great story.

A wakes up every day in a different body and basically keeps living out the life of that person without trying to draw too much attention. This is such an interesting concept that really makes you sit back and think. If your appearance and gender changes every day, how do identify yourself? Are you still the same person at the core? How do these different lives change the way you are? These are questions that are brought up, but David Levithan is really great about leaving the answers open for the reader to decide what to take away from A's extraordinary circumstances.

There's also a beautiful demonstration of acceptance that can be gleaned from A's story. A falls for Rhiannon, the girlfriend of one of the boys he wakes up in, and they have to figure out a way to be together. And of course, the thing standing in their way is societal convention. How can you be with someone who is physically different every day? And, while it's underplayed quite a bit, Rhiannon has some difficulties with A's changing genders. It's frustrating, because under it all, A still has the same spirit, the same soul, the same personality. It's just a wonderful representation of the core of humanity and what makes us who we are.

David Levithan has the wonderful ability to wrap up the meaning of life in short sentences or passages without undervaluing or over simplifying. I was writing down quotes left and right. There is so much substance and meaning in this book. It'll make you think, it'll make you cry, and it will sit with you for a long time. This book just feels so important and I really hope you'll pick it up.

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

Synopsis: 
“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.


I think I will begin reading this novel every year around Christmas time - It's filled with the warm fuzzies that come with Christmas cookies and falling in love. I was so excited for Dash & Lily because I loved Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist, Rachel Cohn and David Levithan's first collaboration. Both of these books I devoured in a sitting and both sit on my shelf constantly begging me to read them again. These two incredible authors get together and they each create the most vivid characters and bring them together in the same way two people would come together in real life.


The way that the book is written contributes to the authenticity of two people meeting and then getting to know one another. I believe, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, but Rachel and David don't talk about where the book is going to end up - one writes a chapter, sends it to the other, who then writes his/her chapter in response. The chapters alternate between Dash's point of view and Lily's. Because not everything is planned out and each author knows their own character inside and out, but is trying to figure out the other character, the story just feels so real. 


But at the same time it's perfectly magical. I love the idea that they meet through a notebook that Lily (with the help of her brother) places in a bookstore on The Strand - and Dash finds it and they begin to write back and forth through this notebook. In the internet age, where this type of thing happens all the time, this is a great twist and an awesome step back towards the nostalgia of letter writing. This coupled with New York City at Christmas time just sets up the illusion that anything is possible. 


Like I said, it's heartwarming, its real and magical - it's everything a book should be. I hope Rachel Cohn and David Levithan create many more collaborative novels in the future, because they have this great rhythm and collective voice that makes their stories unique, alive, and so hopeful. 


Here's a great video of Rachel Cohn and David Levithan reading at the Strand - a prominent location in the novel (where they also announce that this book will be a featured film! Yay!) (also, this is just the first part, and it actually only has David reading the first Dash chapter. There is a part two with Rachel reading Lily's first chapter.)