Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Author: Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers (Random House)
Release Date: 10/26/2010
Edition: ARC
* Recieved from Random House via Random Buzzers.

Summary from 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?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

My Thoughts: 


Admittedly, this is the first time that I've read a book written by the dynamic duo that is Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. Yes, I've watched Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, but I didn't think to pick up a copy of the book--I intend to amend this sometime soon. With that said, I really enjoyed Dash & Lily's Book of Dares--and by this, I mean to say that my one complaint would be that it ended. 


As a lover of both Moleskine notebooks and bookstores, I was easily sucked into the world of Dash and Lily--as Dash, our male character, finds the red notebook nestled away in the Strand (a bookstore in New York City) and Lily, our female character, leaves clues within its pages with the hopes of--perhaps--making a new (male) friend (as in 'possible boyfriend material'). Admittedly, the one thing I didn't quite like was Lily being, well, Shrilly (yes, it's her nickname) since it requires all capital letters and well, the mere idea of having a shrill voice makes me wince--although I do understand her reason for being shrill.Though I suppose on the other hand you have Dash's nickname--given to him by Mark--which happens to be Snarly (truth be told, I'm not quite sure how he deserves it as he never seems to snap while talking, in my opinion). 


Anyways! I love how Dash & Lily's Book of Dares took you through New York City during the holiday season--the worst possible time to live in a large city--from December 21st to January 1st through both Dash and Lily's points of view. I could say that this book is about falling in love with the essence of another person--which it is--although I suppose it'd be a tad more accurate to say that it's about daring yourself to take a chance. If you liked Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist and love things both bookish and literary, I'd suggest checking this one out--although I trust you to gauge for yourself if this book is for you or not.


Favorite Quote: 
"She led me into a room that could only be called a parlor. The drapery was so thick and the furniture so cloaked that I half expected to find Sherlock Holmes thumb-wrestling with Jane Austen in the corner."


Overall Rating:  ★★★★