Initial Reactions Nick and Norah

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

For those reading along, what are your first thoughts reading the book?

[Vicki]

I haven't gotten too far into it, but I am definitely interested in Norah's character. I am also amused by her perception of her family and their relationship with Caroline. And I totally want to go see a show right now.. it's been too long!

[A]

I read this book in anticipation of the movie coming out in theaters, which I then missed. I think I didn't want to be let down in case it wasn't as good as the book.

I had just read Flipped and thought another example of boy-girl narration would bother me, but it didn't. I did think, Whoa! These books are both shelved in Young Adult, but I'd be comfortable with an average 13-year-old reading one (F) and not the other (N&NIP). The swearing didn't bother me, but I went to public school starting with 7th grade :-\

[Vicki]

I also didn't like the constant swearing and I work in a public high school. However, I know that is me. I think some swearing would be appropriate to the scene, as in I have gone to a ton of shows where they swear a lot, but it was definitely in excess. I also thought the sex part was overdone for a teen audience. A little too much and a little too detailed in some areas, but again, that's just me.

[A]

To clarify, I actually went to 7th and 8th grade in the town Vicki lives in! Not a lot of swearing there, that I can I remember. Then moved to Los Angeles, where I went to high school. I know it's not the NY hipster/emo/music scene, but we swear a lot here, too.

[Nikki]

I'm not that far yet but I like the back and forth between Nick and Norah. Being that I'm not a teenager the swears words don't bother me at all. I actually think if they weren't there the feel of the book wouldn't be what the authors were looking for.

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

I won't be starting the book till the middle of the month!

[alisonwonderland (Alison)]

i actually read this a few months ago. i thought the profanity was excessive - and a several times in the early going i thought maybe i'd quit reading because of that. in the end i stuck with it, and, fortunately, it's not the swearing that has stuck with me over the months since i read the book.

[Malena]

I'm with you Nikki. I really like how the story switches between Nick & Norah narrating. I don't mind the swearing either. It adds to the story.

[Court]

If there wasn't ANY swearing it wouldn'tve been a teenage novel. Plus, the kids it uses as characters..they stereotypically curse alot. And I like books that switch Narrators..

[Tien]

I like the switching of narrator's then I get both views which is quite exciting.

I also grew up pretty sheltered (private catholic school all the way) and whilst there are bits of profanity, I was at the beginning shocked as to how much it's being used but then again I know out there somewhere, it's 'normal'. If you get pass the swearing though, I like the story.

[Anna]

What age do you think this book was written? The reason I am asking is my daughter who is 12 just read it. I asked her if the swearing bothered her, but she was okay with it. I haven't actually read it as I read The Wednesday Wars.

[alisonwonderland (Alison)]

i wouldn't let my 12yo read it. but i do try to "shelter" her a little. :) she did read The Wednesday Wars though (which i haven't gotten to yet).

based on the profanity and the sexuality, i'd probably say at least 14 and up for Nick & Norah.

[[deleted user]]

Sadly I only got around to reading it last night, but I couldn't put it down until five this morning, when I finished it.

I think this was a splendid book! I'm sad that there isn't a sequel. I don't think Nick and Norah's story is anywhere near finished. They've only known each other for about 6 hours.

[Vicki]

Not, I agree, I kind of like to see where they were at a few months down the line at least.

[[deleted user]]

Yes, exactly. Do they ever come to like Where's Fluffy again? And what do their friends have to say about this? And their parents, as well...

[Miss Bookiverse]

I disagree. I'm glad there is no sequel. I love the book with all my heart and I'd be way too afraid that a sequel would ruin it for me (I'm also very unsure about watching the movie). I have no doubt that Rachel and David would come up with a great sequel but I really like how it's just a tiny snippet from Nick and Norah's life. Maybe I'm also too scared that things could end up badly between them :/

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Just started reading it last night and so far I love how it reads so real. Like I really feel like this is a teen book. Some things I have had to look up like Emo, but that is what I love about it!

[Celestasaurus]

Like everyone else, I agree that this book was a bit over-the-top with cussing.
I agree with Spooky. I love the book how it is, how you don't know what's going to happen. A sequel would definitely ruin it. I doubt it could live up to my expectations.

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

I think a lot of teens curse all the time. At least my friends and I did. That is one of the things I think makes it a little more real.

[A]

I'm taking a college class right now and boy, do they curse. And not very well, either. I think you've got to curse quite a lot, and well into your twenties, before you get how to curse fluently. Teens are still thinking quantity over quality. Me, I can admire a well-placed F-bomb, especially from someone who doesn't use it often. It's a special event.

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

Yea I remember as a teen we cursed non-stop. Now I don't curse like that (only when it's needed). I love how the title of some of the songs in the book are curse words!

[Angie, YA lovin mod!!]

I didn't see anywhere to put my final thoughts so I am going to put them here. I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of the few all nighters I had as a teen. Crazy times! It is amazing now that I could even go all night without falling asleep on my feet. I remember having that crush in high school and I just loved the guy! Though he never loved me back, and Tal and Tris reminds me of that.

I wish there was more Young Adults participating. I would like to know what they think of the swearing. It seems most of us who read it are past high school and do not like the swearing. I didn't mind it but like I said before my friends and I cursed non-stop. And the sexuality didn't bother me either. I went to public high school and people were having sex left and right. I do kinda wish that protection would've been mentioned somewhere... STDs!

This book is so fun, I just wished I was there with them. I can't wait to see the movie!

[A]

The DVD comes out in the US next Tuesday... I'm so getting it! I heart Michael Cera.

[Miss Bookiverse]

I'm not sure whether I'm counted as a young adult at the age of 20 but I didn't mind the cursing. I noticed that there was a lot of it and I don't experience that around my friends (but surely around some other people my age) but it didn't put me off. I loved the book an awful lot nevertheless.

[Diana]

the way they talked kinda bothered me and at the beginning, i was kinda lost but i started to like nick and norah

nick bothered me though because i just couldn't see michael cera playing him through the whole book