Review: Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
Author: David Levithan
Series: None
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books
Publication Date: September 9, 2003
Pages: 185
Format/Source: Paperback/Gift from a friend
Age Group/Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary, LGBT
This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene and is also the star quarterback), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance.
When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he’s found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it. The school bookie says the odds are 12-to-1 against him getting Noah back, but Paul’s not giving up without playing his love really loud. His best friend Joni might be drifting away, his other best friend Tony might be dealing with ultra-religious parents, and his ex-boyfriend Kyle might not be going away anytime soon, but sometimes everything needs to fall apart before it can really fit together right.This is a happy-meaningful romantic comedy about finding love, losing love, and doing what it takes to get love back in a crazy-wonderful world. (From Goodreads)
Levithan Love-a-thon…
My friend Courtney at Abducted by Books found a signed copy of this book when we were in Austin for the Tour de Nerdfighting, so she graciously gave me her old copy! Courtney is also hosting an event this month called the Levithan Love-a-thon over at her blog, where you can win your choice of one of five David Levithan books. Hurry – the giveaway ends today (I think)! And since she’s having this event featuring books by David Levithan, I figured I would go ahead and read Boy Meets Boy and post my review before the end of the month!
A Lot to Live Up To…
I haven’t read many YA Contemporary novels. I usually like there to be some kind of Science Fiction or paranormal aspect to my novels, but as I read more and more Contemporaries I realize that I like them more than I thought I would! However, because my first forays into the land of YA Contemporary were books by John Green and now David Levithan, the Contemporaries on my TBR list have a lot to live up to! Both of these men were born to write, and have honed their craft so well that they turn the most mundane actions and thoughts into sentences that become works of art themselves.
For example, here are some of my most favorite quotes from Boy Meets Boy:
“Conversation is not his strong suit. In fact, I’m not sure it’s a suit he owns.”
Find it: Goodreads │ Amazon │ Random House
If you like this book, you should try: Will Grayson, Will Grayson │ Paper Towns
Disclaimer: This book was given to me by a friend. I was not compensated in any way for this review.
Kate@Midnight Book Girl
February 28, 2012 at 3:40 pmI don't know how, but I am going to get caught up with all the john green and david levithan books before BEA, especially since john and I will be having breakfast together. ;)
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
February 28, 2012 at 7:57 pmThat is such an awesome feature they have going on at BEA! I'm totally jealous. I think I'll try to get Courtney to start saving now so we can go next year! I can't wait to hear all about your trip (even though it's months away)!
fakesteph
March 1, 2012 at 6:48 amyes. just yes.
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
March 1, 2012 at 3:02 pmAre you going to try to go to BEA next year, Steph?
Sophie
February 28, 2012 at 10:56 pmThe first time I read something by David Levithan was when I was reading an anthology of short stories, and his was called "Starbucks Boy". From the moment I finished reading it, I KNEW I had to read something by him.
Boy Meets Boy is definitely on my wishlist! I've read other reviews that say the same as you — a not-very-real world, but at the same time a very desirable one and hopefully the near future. I also read mostly paranormal or urban fantasy books, and I've happened to love the few contemporaries I've read in between! And I'm dying to read this one :)
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
February 29, 2012 at 2:08 amIt's really good. David Levithan and John Green are definitely some awesome writers, and they've sparked a little bit of a love for contemporary for me! I hope you get to read this one soon, and I'll look forward to your review! Thanks for stopping by!
Bittner
February 28, 2012 at 11:09 pmI am glad that you liked it!
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
February 29, 2012 at 2:08 amIt was so good! I can't wait to read more from him!
Giselle
February 29, 2012 at 10:53 pmOh this sounds very sweet I love the simple of nice cover too. Great review Andrea this is definitely gong on my TBR list!
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
February 29, 2012 at 11:16 pmThanks! It was really good. I can't wait to read more from him. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Karen
February 29, 2012 at 11:00 pmI have heard soooo many good things about David Levithan, I really need to read something of his soon. I don't read a lot of contemporary either but if he's in any way associated with John Green, I will definitely make an exception!
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
February 29, 2012 at 11:17 pmYou should totally read some of his books. I LOVED Will Grayson, Will Grayson, which he wrote with John Green. I can't wait to read more of his books! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Brandileigh2003 (Blkosiner's Book Blog)
March 1, 2012 at 3:05 amThis sounds great, thank you for the review.
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
March 1, 2012 at 2:58 pmAnd thanks so much for stopping by! ;)
fakesteph
March 1, 2012 at 6:48 amI've been meaning to read this. Have you read Will Grayson, Will Grayson yet?
Andrea @ The Overstuffed Bookcase
March 1, 2012 at 3:01 pmYes, and I loved it! WG, WG, Paper Towns, and TFiOS are my favorite John Green books. I've read all of John Green's books (except for his compilations), but WG, WG and BMB are the first of David Levithan's books I've read. I can't wait to read more from him, though.