To Put You in the Holiday Spirit ...

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Do you remember a few years ago when the movie Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist came out? Well, it was based on a book of the same name by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. Cohn and Levithan have now written three books together, and Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares is the third story these clever authors have dreamed up for us.

Summary

Dash and Lily are New York City teens who have found themselves on their own for Christmas. Dash (a decidedly non-Christmasy type) is quite happy with his situation. He has told each parent he would be staying with the other for the holiday, thus ensuring each went out of town, leaving him free to do his own thing and avoid the various merriment of the season. Lily, however (who LOVES Christmas to the point of wearing reindeer-adorned skirts and forming neighborhood caroling groups), is feeling a bit abandoned. Her parents are taking a long-overdue honeymoon, leaving her at home with her brother, who is really too busy with his boyfriend to spend time with Lily during her favorite holiday. However, in an effort to spice up Lily's somewhat plain life, her brother and his boyfriend help her devise a little game that will (hopefully) help her meet a guy.

A red moleskine notebook is left on a shelf at the Strand, and inside it are clues for a dare. The instructions are clever, so not just any average book browser would be up for the challenge. When Dash finds the notebook, he is immediately intrigued. The notebook's owner is obviously on his level, and he can't help but begin following the clues, thus taking the bait and beginning what becomes a citywide game of adventures and encounters with various people in each teen’s life. Not only does the notebook continue to lead Dash and Lily to each new destination in the game, it becomes a place where they get to know each other. Questions, memories and observations allow the two to try to piece together what the other is like, and also help them realize some of their own dreams and limitations.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

YES. I absolutely loved this book. It was smart, snarky, fun, whimsical and completely enjoyable from start to finish. While the obvious question that hangs over the reader’s head is “when will they meet?” the time that Dash and Lily spend getting to know each other through the notebook is completely enjoyable. While there was a certain amount of happenstance involved, I appreciated that Cohn and Levithan gave their characters some control over their own destinies. All the New York moments were wonderful as well, and I found myself happily remembering my past trips to the Empire State while I read about Dash and Lily’s adventures. This book is a must anytime of year, but it is especially perfect with the Christmas season upon us.

Recommended for ages 14 and up.