Justine's Thoughts: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green

Will Grayson, Will Grayson
By David Levithan & John Green

Source: Borrowed
Pages:  310

Book Description:
One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens -- both named Will Grayson -- are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.
Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humour that have won them both legions of faithful fans.

A quote:
You like someone who can’t like you back because unrequited love can be survived in a way that once-requited love cannot.

Rating:

5/5

Any thoughts:

My friend recommended this one to me, explaining that it’s quite a novel that would make your heart beat as you read it. Well oh my donkey, it really did at certain times near the end! And it almost made me cry too! You know how much I love books that would make me do incredible things like that.

I’ve been recently into John Green books lately, but I’m taking the time to read his books because I want to own them (for the purpose of reading them over and over and over again). I don’t think I have read any of David Levithan’s books yet although I have heard of him and his works. Together, John Green and David Levithan make a super duper team with a one of a kind, unforgettable collaboration.

Each of the authors takes on one Will Grayson. In the beginning, I thought David Levithan’s Will Grayson was unenjoyable. He is always negative and depressed and has no real friends. I just couldn’t help but feel bad for him. So he turns to online chats and meets a guy named Isaac, who he falls madly in love with over the internet. John Green’s Will Grayson has a gay, vivacious and huge best friend named Tiny Cooper. This Will Grayson lives under the radar, known always as ‘Tiny cooper’s best friend’.

I grew to love these Will Graysons despite their situations. And they are both awesome characters. But if I really must choose my favourite character out of the whole book, it would be Tiny Cooper. He is the sun that this novel revolves around. Without him, the epic high school musical would not exist. And trust me, it is grand and fabulous all at once.

When reading this book, I: laughed out loud that I snorted, had tears in my eyes during the swing set scene, *facepalmed*, had a goofy grin on my face most of the time, and my heart beat faster than usual. The end is the best part. I had expected something else to happen entirely, but that did not occur (sadly). Still, I was not disappointed. I was all for Tiny Cooper!

Overall, I must say that this novel is not to be missed. Thanks to my friend, Ashlyn, who recommended this novel to me, I have found another favourite book written by two impressive authors.

Justine's Thoughts: Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List
By Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Pages:
230

Book Description:

Naomi and Ely have been inseparable since childhood - partially because they’ve grown up across the hall from each other in the same Manhattan apartment building, and also because they’re best friends. Soul mates. Or are they? Just to be safe, they’ve created a NO KISS LIST - their list of people who are absolutely off-kissing-limits for both of them. The NO KISS LIST protects their friendship and ensures that nothing will rock the foundation of Naomi and Ely: the institution.

Until Ely kisses Naomi’s boyfriend. And a fateful piece of gum in the wrong place at the wrong time changes everything.

Soon a rift of universal proportions threatens to destroy their friendship, and it remains to be seen whether Naomi and Ely can find their way toward new soul-mate prospects...and back to one another.

A quote:

We always see our worst selves. Our most vulnerable selves. We need someone else to get close enough to tell us we’re wrong. Someone we trust.

Any thoughts:

Now, I know that Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have already written a novel together called Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, which was made into a movie (I watched it and absolutely loved it!). I haven’t read the novel, but I’ve heard positive things about it. That was why I was so excited to read this novel, to get a possible first impression by these two authors.

I can’t say I didn’t love it because I really did! The relationship between Naomi and Ely is incredible. They have such a strong bond that it actually makes me jealous of what they have. But in the beginning, I have to admit that I was a tiny bit confused. Maybe it was just me. It was only until the second chapter when I started to understand better. Then I reread the first chapter again. Yeah, I guess it was just me.

The chapters are in different points of view. They’re not only written in Naomi and Ely’s perspectives, but in the minor characters’ perspectives as well so we get to fully understand what’s happening with everyone. This means it would be totally awesome when this appears on the big screen. What? That’s right. I said when not if. It says on the book cover ‘soon to be a major motion picture’ and I’ve heard that Hayden Paniettiere is going to star as the gorgeous Naomi. Perfect! She would make such a great Naomi!

There were underlying messages about love and most importantly, friendship. On top of that, the characters are completely hilarious. It was never hard to identify who was speaking...although there are characters named Bruce the First and Bruce the Second. I became confused because a) it could be one character who changed and became someone else (okay, I admit, that was highly unlikely...but you never know!) and b) it could be two different and separate characters. The latter ended up being correct. And I ended up knocking on my noggin.

All in all, this was one heck of a book. Sure, there may be mature content that is not suitable for children, but for teens, I definitely suggest you read it!