Author: David Levithan
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Source: eBook borrowed from Toronto Public Library
My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads synopsis:
Goodreads synopsis:
Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
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.
I'm not including a synopsis because the Goodreads one tells you everything you need to know. A is such an amazing character, and it's incredible to go on this journey of love, appreciation, and acceptance with him/her.
What I loved most about this novel was the believability of A's character. His/her worldview makes SO much sense. If you live as an entity that can only float from one person to the next, you will never understand that it takes years to build love, trust, and connections with people. In that way, A's personality is wholly unsubstantial. But what IS substantial about A is that he/she takes such pleasure in those simple moments of love, happiness, and trust.And that appreciation makes him/her more real and alive as a person than some of us regular, non-body-switching people.
It's a beautiful dichotomy, and it's one that Levithan explores so perfectly and delicately. A's personality is built on the perfection in moments of love, creativity, and connection, but he/she sometimes forgets that time matters, too. A falls in love with Rhiannon immediately through what he/s sees in her, but he doesn't understand that for Rhiannon, love takes time.
On the surface, this novel asks the question of whether love can exist in any entity, whether you're male, female, alien, etc. But more than that, I felt that Every Day was a novel that explored the question of whether love at first sight can exist, and how love is built and created.
Two things I didn't love about the book:
1) I did feel at times that A was a bit preachy. He/she spent a lot of time talking about what he/she believed and how most people don't understand that religions are all the same at their fundamental core, or that love is love, no matter what body you're in. Again, it was sort of understandable, because if you live such a solitary existence that you only have your own thoughts to build your beliefs, you really start to believe that those thoughts are absolute truths. So when A would go on these rants, it took me out of the story and almost made me feel like it was the author's voice saying those things.
2) I also didn't really love the ending. Let me be clear - the ending worked PERFECTLY for the novel, and it made sense, I was just personally so invested in the book by that point that all I wanted was the ending that worked for ME as a reader. So yeah, I'm just being selfish. =p
I really liked the writing in Every Day; it was beautiful and very much the voice that this character would have. Levithan did a brilliant job of really making you FEEL every single moment and emotion that A has - maybe because that's really what A is - he/she is not corporeal, so all we have to go on are feelings and emotions. And those feeling are so intense and beautiful that they almost overwhelm - as I expect they would with A. He/she has nothing else to live for but those emotions, so, of course, they areoverwrought.
Overall, I really loved Every Day and I ached and pined for A. It's a bittersweet book, and it's a true book for hopeless romantics like myself.
Heart-squeezing romance: It's absolutely heart-rending to see A and Rhiannon fall in love, and try to figure out a way to make this work. I can't. Even.
Moments: This is a book for people who love the little, perfect things in life. The ones who appreciate a Post-It with a heart on it, or the shape of a leaf against the sky, but also never take each and every hug or kiss for granted. A is a big believer in savouring these moments, and it's hard to disagree.
Did you know David Levithan is also a publisher and editor for at Scholastic? In fact, he edited REVENGE OF THE GIRL WITH THE GREAT PERSONALITY by Elizabeth Eulberg - check out my giveaway here!
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.
Review:
I read this last month for the Toronto Forever Young Adult Book Club - it was our club's choice, and what an awesome choice it was.I'm not including a synopsis because the Goodreads one tells you everything you need to know. A is such an amazing character, and it's incredible to go on this journey of love, appreciation, and acceptance with him/her.
What I loved most about this novel was the believability of A's character. His/her worldview makes SO much sense. If you live as an entity that can only float from one person to the next, you will never understand that it takes years to build love, trust, and connections with people. In that way, A's personality is wholly unsubstantial. But what IS substantial about A is that he/she takes such pleasure in those simple moments of love, happiness, and trust.And that appreciation makes him/her more real and alive as a person than some of us regular, non-body-switching people.
It's a beautiful dichotomy, and it's one that Levithan explores so perfectly and delicately. A's personality is built on the perfection in moments of love, creativity, and connection, but he/she sometimes forgets that time matters, too. A falls in love with Rhiannon immediately through what he/s sees in her, but he doesn't understand that for Rhiannon, love takes time.
On the surface, this novel asks the question of whether love can exist in any entity, whether you're male, female, alien, etc. But more than that, I felt that Every Day was a novel that explored the question of whether love at first sight can exist, and how love is built and created.
Two things I didn't love about the book:
1) I did feel at times that A was a bit preachy. He/she spent a lot of time talking about what he/she believed and how most people don't understand that religions are all the same at their fundamental core, or that love is love, no matter what body you're in. Again, it was sort of understandable, because if you live such a solitary existence that you only have your own thoughts to build your beliefs, you really start to believe that those thoughts are absolute truths. So when A would go on these rants, it took me out of the story and almost made me feel like it was the author's voice saying those things.
2) I also didn't really love the ending. Let me be clear - the ending worked PERFECTLY for the novel, and it made sense, I was just personally so invested in the book by that point that all I wanted was the ending that worked for ME as a reader. So yeah, I'm just being selfish. =p
I really liked the writing in Every Day; it was beautiful and very much the voice that this character would have. Levithan did a brilliant job of really making you FEEL every single moment and emotion that A has - maybe because that's really what A is - he/she is not corporeal, so all we have to go on are feelings and emotions. And those feeling are so intense and beautiful that they almost overwhelm - as I expect they would with A. He/she has nothing else to live for but those emotions, so, of course, they areoverwrought.
Overall, I really loved Every Day and I ached and pined for A. It's a bittersweet book, and it's a true book for hopeless romantics like myself.
Bonuses
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| Photo: @katerha |
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| Yes, that's my fiance! |
The Final Word
Every Day is a gorgeous, heart-wrenching novel of love and little moments. It really does make you appreciate every day, and it keeps you guessing until the end. A wonderful book for people who want keep their minds and hearts wide open.Have you read Every Day? Did you have a few moments of "enh" and mostly moments of "awesome!" like me, or were you a full-on lover of this David Levithan book?
Did you know David Levithan is also a publisher and editor for at Scholastic? In fact, he edited REVENGE OF THE GIRL WITH THE GREAT PERSONALITY by Elizabeth Eulberg - check out my giveaway here!
I really want/need to read this. Sad I didn't join the book club last month! I'm a huge David Levithan fan and I've heard this is one of his best
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty awesome. And it's a fast read - I think I finished it in about 4 hours, so it's well worth an evening. Give it a read when you've got the chance. Quite beautiful.
DeleteI have never heard of this book but the description sounds amazing. Wonderful review although now I am a little worried about the ending because I (like you) don't like when the endings aren't the ones I want. But I am still thinking that I must read this one. I'm adding it to my TBR list. Thank you for sharing this book and author.
ReplyDeleteI have really been looking forward to reading this book, so I am so happy to see you really enjoyed it. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of this! The cover is amazing! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is one I have on my wishlist at the library so should get it shortly.
ReplyDeleteI am one of the few in the opposite corner with this book. It just wasn't my cup of tea. And a few of the situations in the book bothered me greatly. I hate that I didn't love it as much as you and a ton of other people did. :( Maybe his next book!
ReplyDeleteMy sister was going gaga over this book(she's a hopeless romantic) It's good, really heart-warming and a nice read but nothing to go crazy over.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I haven't read this book yet, I will have to put it on my TBR list.
ReplyDelete