December 2012- Every Day by David Levithan

[Jennifer W, WT Moderator]

Welcome to December's regular group read of Every Day by David Levithan.

Please mark spoilers.

Enjoy!

[Jeanette]

Wow, there are so many things I liked about this story. It's hard to decide where to begin. This is a story about right and wrong, acceptance of all people regardless of size, gender, preferences or religions. It's about how we live our lives on a day to day basis and how we effect those around us. It's a story of love and loss and growing up. It brings up difficult questions and makes you think about what you would do in that situation. I enjoyed this one!

[Maree]

It was definitely a really interesting concept. I always wonder what I would do in these types of situations, and I like the kinds of thoughts these types of books spark. However, I felt the carrythrough was a little young for my taste. I know, I know, it's YA, but still.

[Kat]

I read this book a few months ago--just noticed ya'll have started a discussion about it. I have to say...I had really mixed feelings. I thought the concept was SO cool, and the author's voice was right for the age group (for the most part). But the story fell apart about half-way through.

It seemed to suddenly go from an actual situation, with actual conflict between characters and such, to a literary gay pride parade. Do NOT get me wrong. I am not at all bashing this for trying to write a novel that shows realistic and genuine homosexual relationships. My issue is that the *story* dropped. No matter what the subject matter--if you stop the story to preach, you're going to lose me.

There was so much potential for a PLOT and it still could have had a message enfolded. But this came across to me as a message with a little bit of story at each end trying to hold it in place. I wish I could have loved this book. The author obviously has real writing skill.

[Mary Beth]

I really liked the moral questions that this story brought up. I really struggled along with A with the moral implications of the way he/she exists. The unfairness of the situation - both As and the person whose life he/she interrupts for a day were very interesting and something I am still thinking about. The concept of the daily change was a really interesting one as well.

I agree with Kat in that the story kind of fell apart in the middle, but I think it just got bogged down in the daily change and the dilemnas with Rhiannon and Nathan so that it stalled for a bit. I did want to see what happened and am happy with As decision but not necessarily with how he was going to achieve it.

The writing, as is always true with Levithan, was fantastic.