Review: How They Met and Other Stories

Title: How They Met, and Other Stories
Author: David Levithan
ISBN/Publisher: 978-0-375-84886-5/Knopf (part of Random House)
Age Group/Genre: Young Adult

How They Met, and Other Stories provides 18 short stories. They range from a teen eyeing the hot Starbucks barista to a Chinese-American teen girl getting sent out on a blind date with her dad's business partner's son. And then there is a gay boy trying to figure out love...or is it lust??? And my favorite...the story of David's grandparents...awwww (it reminded me of my grandparents...I even had my mom read this story).

David Levithan does it again with providing a great book about love and perfect to read during February. This one is eighteen short stories about all types of love...the longing for it, love between family & friends, and that love that you can't quite get. There is a love story here that any young adult or adult can relate to.

I definitely, definitely recommend this book (which reminds me, I'm going to let my Starbucks barista borrow it)...especially if you're in the mood for love (I mean come on...this started out as a Valentine's day present), but don't worry it's not all "awwww" moments, there are some "LOL" moments, too.

I even re-read certain parts of the book for this review and I just couldn't help but smile. These are love stories, but the great part of this book is that it remind you that it doesn't matter what a person's gender or race is...love is universal and always a great theme to read about.

A few favorite lines...

"Do you have a boyfriend?"
I was about to bitch and moan---the usual response---but then I realized who I was talking to. Only in New York (and maybe San Francisco) could a six-year-old have a gaydar. "Starbucks Boy" page 11

"H&M. I know it stands for something Swedish, but really it should be Homosexual & Metrosexual." "Starbucks Boy" page 14

He held up his finger and showed me his wedding ring, then pulled at a thin chain around his neck to reveal another ring---hers---that he kept under his clothes.
"One for my hand, one for my heart," he explained. "The Number of People Who Meet on Airplanes" page 93

(Definitely read "How They Met"...it's my fave & I can't type out the whole thing)

It doesn't have to be on Valentine's Day. It doesn't have to be by the time you turn eighteen or thirty-three or fifty-nine. It doesn't have to conform to whatever is usual. It doesn't have to be kismet at once, or rhapsody by the third date.
It just has to be. In time. In place. In spirit.
It just has to be. "Intersection" page 244

My Rating

(This book was bought at a store called FullyBooked)

***Now go and grab your fave cup of tea (or whatever beverage you prefer) and HAPPY readings***