Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by David Levithan & Rachel Cohn(Knopf, Paperback)
Rating:
"I know this is going to sound strange, but would you mind being my girlfriend for the next five minutes?" Nick and Norah don't know each other until Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes. Those five minutes end up stretching into a night-long date as the two make their way around New York, from one music club to the next. Every minute counts as their first date opens wounds, starts an unexpected passion, and heals their broken hearts.
Wow. This book just reaffirms why I love teen books. Nick's story is told by David Levithan and Norah's perspective is written by Rachel Cohn. The two alternate chapters and their unique voices help to emphasize the back-and-forth nature of a first date. Each character makes bold moves and statements and then backs down a little, all the while waiting to see how the other will take it. Nick and Norah are each a little unsure of this blossoming relationship and each one is dealing with ghosts of the past. I've read a lot of reviews that rail against the language and sexually charged scenes in this book. To them, I say "Open your eyes and ears." This is what real life is like—messy, uncertain, harsh, and brilliant all at the same time. As for the songs, as Nick points out, our life is an infinite playlist. Sometimes we find the songs of the moment and sometimes we write them.
Visit the book website for interviews, excerpts, and to hear the actual playlist from the book.
Posts
I really loved this book. And I second your belief, that the book does accurately display what real life is about.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, great review!
Great Review! =D
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. Its one of my favorites. I'm kinda excited about seeing the movie based on the book.
=D
I've been reading YA here and there all my life but when i read this book a few months ago I said to myself "What other gems in YA are out there?" and intentionally started seeking out YA. This book was great and reopened me back up to this genre. Hope the movie is great too, love Michael Cera!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorites! I usually don't buy my books, I generally get them from the library, but after I finished this one I went out and got it in hardback. LOVE IT. :)
ReplyDelete-Mollie
i was wondering can you do a review for guitar girl? id love to know how that book is.
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! If I hadn't already wanted to read this book, I'm sure this review would have convinced me. :)
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm in the minority here, but I didn't like Nick and Nora at all.
ReplyDeleteI always seem to be disappointed by anything Cohn or Levithan write.