Boy Meets Boy in Q&A with David Levithan

Jan 13, 2011 Yuri Aoi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m

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Dec 22, 2010 Alissa rated it really liked it

Although not even 200 pages in length, Boy Meets Boy is worth every second spent reading. What I love most about this book is that there’s clearly a set guideline for the plot, but the characters act as catalysts and help it develop; they do the work, instead of the plot doing the work for them. Without the characters Levithan’s created, the plot would fall flat, typical. But instead the characters elevate the situations they’ve been placed in, and each is complex in their own way, even if they’ ...more

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Nov 23, 2010 Nina rated it it was amazing

This is a story about a gay teenager named Paul who lives in a town where every person is allowed to be whomever they want to be. Not really gay utopia, as there are also some who are not happy with things as they stand, but as in Paul's words: "There isn’t really a gay scene or a straight scene in our town. They got all mixed up a while back, which I think is for the best." Which it really is. The author has painted a wonderful picture of a place where it's okay to be anything you want to be, t This is a story about a gay teenager named Paul who lives in a town where every person is allowed to be whomever they want to be. Not really gay utopia, as there are also some who are not happy with things as they stand, but as in Paul's words: "There isn’t really a gay scene or a straight scene in our town. They got all mixed up a while back, which I think is for the best." Which it really is. The author has painted a wonderful picture of a place where it's okay to be anything you want to be, that the only thing that separates you from your dreams is your belief in yourself, and your capacity to make things happen. This story also showed that, gay or no, friendship and love are two very complicated things, and that every person must know how to handle something so precious. When Paul begins to fall for Noah, a new kid in school, things get problematic when his ex Kyle, begins to reach out to him and wants to get back together. On the other hand, Paul and Joni's friendship is put to the test when Joni starts to go out with a person whom Paul and their other friends don't approve.

So if you think this book is too unrealistic and only good for light reading for teens, think again. The well-drawn characters will pop right out of you and take you to their world and let you see it through their eyes. They will tell you their secrets and you'll be surprised that in a novel such as this, love and friendship are still taken seriously, that in this almost perfect world, challenges will still come at you, and you, gay or straight, should learn how to deal with it. This story may be easy reading, but the values it teaches should not be taken lightly. Even parents can learn a thing or two from Paul and his friends.

This is a great read, especially if the heavy gay issues are getting too old for you. Or you're just really tired of heavy stuff. With its witty, entertaining dialogues, vivid characters, and creative settings, you'll definitely enjoy reading this, and find new friends within the story. It's not full of drama, but it does have its moments, and those moments are what makes this book shine. Sometimes, when I'm feeling a little down, I visit Paul and his friends and feel good about myself. Because as the story ends, Paul always tells me: "What a wonderful world." ...more

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May 31, 2011 Laila rated it really liked it

I have a crush on DL - not the same kind of crush that I have on John Green though. This one is more platonic (and not just because of our dating preferences), which I tried to explain to DL when I saw him at TLA, but he just smiled and walked away quickly. I really think we can be best friends, but I guess we'll just take it slow for now.

On to the book - loved it. It's original and wonderful. Other than the time I listened to the audio version of Brokeback Mountain, I've never read a book with ...more

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Dec 19, 2010 Katy Jean Vance rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, young-adult, diversity

I loved it. I know there are plenty of gay people out there who hate it because it's not a realistic novel. But neither is Harry Potter. And this book made me feel good. It made me smile to think about a gay-topia where this could be real. I don't think every novel has to be a problem novel. Some should be a "Gay? Fine by me!" novel. : o) ...more

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Nov 02, 2010 Gilly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: top-rated

Inspired by the Patty Griffin song "Tony", this young adult novel about gay teens is a fairy tale in disguise, a poem painted on a soap bubble. It managed to continually surprise and delight me, with lovely little throwaway references and unexpected turns of phrase. ...more

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Nov 05, 2012 Irene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

First time ever listening to a single POV audiobook with multiple voices from different people. Very intersting if not confusing. Love the book as always.

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Dec 17, 2010 Jordyn rated it liked it

I just loved this one. Thats all.

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Mar 06, 2013 Ashlee Giblin rated it really liked it

Wow. This book has now become one of my favourites. You really have to have an open mind willing to take in anything to make any sense of what happens in the school the main character Paul attends. It's just a fun, quirky, exciting book and David Levithan is a terrific author. I can relate a lot to characters and situations that happen in the book, and there's so much meaning in it for me. Like how you read a book and it's like the author wrote it for you to read personally. I felt like that, an ...more

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