Review: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

Title/Author:  Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Published: 2010, Knopf Books for Young Readers

Source: Purchased myself at B&N

Rating:  5 stars

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? 

Review:

After reading this book I am so tempted to get a notebook, scribble down a riddle and leave it in a bookstore next to a favorite book and cross my fingers that a cute (intelligent) guy comes along, finds the notebook and plays along.

I loved the story.  Dash, while cynical, is the male equivalent of Jessica Darling.  Seriously, I think they’d be best friends.  He always has some witty remark.  Lily unintentionally isolates herself from people and just wants a friend.  She’s the captain and star athlete of her school’s soccer team yet doesn’t hang out with any of her teammates.  

Dash and Lily’s relationship kind of reminded me of my bookish community friends.  I’ve never met any of you, yet I kind of have an idea in my head what you all look like and sound like (and I don’t mean this is a creepy way!).  Then when I watch a vlog it throws me off a little.  Dash and Lily each had an idea of what the other one was like.

What I loved about the book:

• I laughed over the crimson alert and that entire ordeal.  Who knew throwing snowballs could be so dangerous?
• Snarly.  To me describing someone as snarly means their hair is full of knots and desperately needs to be brushed.
• I loved all of the dares and following Dash and Lily through New York City at Christmastime.
• Dashiell.  What a great name.
• Cover love.  Love love love the heart-shaped snowflakes on the cover.

After writing this up I noticed I clearly favor Dash over Lily.  Even though Lily is also a main character more things about Dash stick out in my mind.

I highly recommend this book!  It’s set during the holidays and its part of the story, but its not really a Christmas-y book.  So if you were looking for a sappy or sugar-sweet read for the holiday season then this probably isn’t the book for you.