Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan, Rachel Cohn Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 2010
Genres: Christmas & Advent, Friendship, Holidays & Celebrations, Love & Romance, Social Issues, Young Adult
Pages: 260
Source: Bought for Myself
Goodreads
"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? Co-written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, co-author of WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON with John Green (LET IT SNOW, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS), DASH & LILY'S BOOK OF DARES is a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.
Two teenagers, each facing the prospect of facing Christmas alone in New York City, embark on a city wide scavenger hunt involving a little red moleskin notebook. Dash, alone by choice, and Lily whose parents abandoned her to have their second honeymoon in tropical paradise, both find a new friend though this bizarre game of dare and possibly something more.
There was a lot I liked about this book, and a lot that I didn’t. I enjoyed the game. As someone who’s favourite episode of One Tree Hill is “Dare Night”, the whole concept of this book appealed to me. I loved the quirkiness of Lily’s extended family as well as the adorably almost puppy-like enthusiasm for life of Dash’s friend, Boomer.
What I didn’t enjoy so much was Dash’s pretentiousness. He’s the ultimate hipster kid – a little too cool for life, a little too well read dropping literary quotes like they’re going out of style. I enjoyed reading his thoughts and conversations but they lacked a little realism for me. The conversation he has with Lily’s great aunt Ida – it just a little too much for me. He was trying to be a modern day Holden Caulfield and he knows it.
I liked Lily’s innocence especially when contrasted with Dash’s been-there-done-that attitude. They were a great match for each other.
This is one of those books that if I were still a teenager, I think I’d love.
