David Levithan

This beautiful collection really lives up to its title. The editors' dedication to showcasing more than one narrative of the queer experience is undeniable throughout this collection as is their dedication to sharing emotive, authentically written works. While there were so many aspects of this anthology which I loved, I was most impressed with the the willingness to include pieces that dealt with religion and queerness in more than just negative ways. As an affirming Christian, it was beautiful to see a queer work actively speak against the forced dichotomy between queerness and Christianity.… (more)

This book was absolutely enchanting! I was lucky enough to book [a:David Levithan|11664|David Levithan|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1208616138p2/11664.jpg] and [a:Rachel Cohn|13139|Rachel Cohn|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1224298697p2/13139.jpg] for an event at the store, and they were so much fun! [b:Dash & Lily's Book of Dares|9305872|Dash & Lily's Book of Dares|Rachel Cohn|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51czrHOeZOL._SL75_.jpg|10551409] is sweet, smart, and super fun for anyone looking for a great story with great writing and great characters. Can't say enough good things about it, and I will continue to handsell it like crazy! Fun!… (more)

"it's like, you know how sometimes you see a really sexy baby? wait, that sounds f***ed up."

This quote is almost all you need to know of this book. It's ridiculous. It's hilarious. It made me laugh out loud many, many times with how zany the characters are. It also contains tons of foul language. Like, an inordinate amount of swearing. This is the kind of book you get censored from a friend.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson alternates between two narrators named Will Grayson. The first Will (capitalized Will) has two rules: don't care too much, and shut up. He will adore a girl and flirt with her, but he will not kiss her or ask her out because, oh wait, he doesn't actually like her. That's against the rules. will #2, who doesn't use capitals, is clinically depressed and gay. He is perfectly okay with being gay, he just doesn't feel like letting anyone know. Anyone, that is, except for his online boyfriend Isaac. He's never heard Isaac's voice but has definitely been talking to him long enough to know that he is really a teenage boy.
The Wills run into each other by a crazy coincidence one night. Both of them become caught up with First Will's [quite a bit]larger-than-life and immensely gay best friend Tiny Cooper and his magnum opus- a musical about how gay he is. This book really spares no stereotypes, no truths, no gayness. Somehow there's enough openly gay guys in Tiny's high school for him to fall in love with a new one at least once a week. The whole idea of being a homosexual teen is treated humorously, sensitively, and mockingly all at once. The book sort of pokes fun at those who would be okay with being teased, and also respects the frustration of those who don't really feel like coming out of the closet yet. It ends with everyone loving each other as Just Friends, except for the one straight couple. First Will finally gets over his idiotic rules and they get together.

ALSO
NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL IS A REAL BAND
HOLLAND, 1945 IS AN ACTUAL SONG YOU CAN LISTEN TO
IT'S VERY WEIRD

Message of the book: You can't usually pick your friends, you can't always pick your nose, but sometimes you have to pick your friend's nose. Also, triple-check the birthdate on your fake ID.

Loved how funny this book is, stars knocked down for the profuseness of obscene language. Up to you to make your own choice.
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(This was one of those free "Summer Reading" books I get from Audiobook Sync. I had so many books to listen to that I didn't listen to this one straight through, but set it aside for long periods of time.)
Despite the fact that this audio book was performed by a large cast of performers; because some of the young male characters had similar sounding voices, more than once I could not tell which character was speaking.
Hyperbolic characters gave this a theatrical musical feeling, like Grease, or more aptly, Glee. Conversations between high school friends about their approach to dealing, either with romance, or with religiously bound uncompromising parents, while probably realistic, felt didactic.
All that said, it's a fine depiction of how, no matter how you cut it, a teen's quest for true love is complicated, scary, and usually emotionally painful. Add the burden of feeling compelled to reject social mores to be oneself, and having to navigate that undercurrent . . .well, the author accomplishes telling that story, all the while, remaining upbeat.
And on a final note; it's really not a musical, as there was only one song, presumably entitled, "I'll Give You That, Boy" which was surprisingly well performed by Tremaine Ford as Zeak. Not "surprising" because I know anything about Tremaine Ford's abilities, but because most audio books with songs make me cringe as I reach to turn the volume down to barely audible when the narrator attempts to sing them.… (more)