The Recreational Reader: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Saving the Printed Word

On the internet, we are constantly bombarded with visual media. It's so easy to get lost in youtube videos instead of enjoying the pastime of generations past: reading. Most of us don't realize it, but with movies, video and computer games, and social media, we're losing our thirst for the printed word. The only books many of us read are the ones required by our teachers. This, of course, only worsens the problem, as we come to believe that reading Shakespeare and Homer are our only options. Reading for fun is a phrase that is fast becoming extinct. Such a shame, when there are so many great reads out there. This blog is my personal attempt to revitalize this pastime for the twenty-first century reader. I resolve to review a new book every week until this crisis comes to a close and the printed word is restored to its old place of fame. Each book will be linked to where you can purchase it online or (in some cases) buy the electronic copy. If you come across a book that I haven't yet reviewed, but you are curious about, just post a quick little comment, and I'll get on it as soon as possible. Hopefully, this blog will become a haven for fellow word-lovers, and together we can foster the growth of this dying art.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

ER: 7.5/10

MR: 15-25 yrs. (Not really an "adult" novel, but if it sounds interesting to you, by all means, read away!)

Because of its recent movie adaptation starring Michael Cera (aka the guy from Juno), the general public seems to agree that this book has served its purpose. It has attained the highest level of fame and acclaim: a movie. Now, there is no reason to read the book. It's so much more efficient to just get it on instant play from Netflix, and really-- who would waste their time reading something when Michael Cera awaits, just a click away? Well, sorry, but the general public is wrong. I've seen the movie, and while it wasn't bad, I feel perfectly confident in saying that the original book deserves your attention.

It all begins with a guy, Nick. Nick just got dumped by girl-of-his-dreams Tris. Feeling pretty broken up, Nick is reluctantly dragged to a gig at a club by his two gay bandmates. Tris walks in, draped over another guy, and Nick turns to the girl next to him and asks the obvious question: Will you be my girlfriend for the next 5 minutes? After a 5 minute makeout session, the two realize there is more going on between them than a fake relationship. The ensuing night proves both chaotic and wonderful as Nick and Norah wander the streets of Manhattan. This book is the story of that single, defining night.

What I loved most about this book was its (often hilarious) honesty. It didn't follow the pattern of a typical love story, and neither of the characters is without flaws. Instead of a cliched teen romance, it was a window into the indie culture of nighttime New York and a portrait of young love, real young love. The music and bands ("Where's Fluffy?") interested me, and I welcomed the chance to be a part of this industry that I am so far removed from.

While it is on the short side, the book is able to amply cover its timeframe, not surprising as the timeframe is rather short: just one night. It was a quick read, fun, exciting, and entertaining. It was definitely enjoyable, but it served a specific purpose: simple entertainment. There was nothing profound about the book, it wasn't the source of any great epiphany, and I wasn't left with something to mull over. No new ideas were spawned. It was fun, yes, but not brilliant literature. Still, in my opinion, it was more than worth the read.

If Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist sounds interesting, it is available on Amazon in electronic, paperback, hardcover, and audio editions. As always, check your local independent bookstores first. If you still aren't familiar with your local retailers, you can click here to discover stores in your area. Happy reading!

1 comment:

Arunava MukherjeeJanuary 5, 2011 at 6:41 PM
nice blog...wil b back soon..
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Demystifying the Ratings System

There are two ratings on this site, my enjoyment rating, and my maturity rating. Both are designed to help you decide if a book is right for you. So, here's the spiel.

Enjoyment Rating (ER): Simple. It's a basic one to ten system with one being the worst book I ever read and ten being the best. I have yet to read a book that I considered worthy of a ten rating, though, so be on the lookout for 9.99s. Those are near perfect.

Maturity Rating (MR): A scale from 0-122 yrs. Corresponds to age. 122 is the age of the oldest documented person. I suppose I could just make the upper limit infinity, but that wouldn't be as much fun. This rating is to help you determine if the book will be interesting to you (because what 20-year-old loves G-rated movies?) and if the content is appropriate. Books with "adult themes" will be rated higher, in general, than those without. The exception are novels rated from 80-122 yrs., which are appropriate for all readers, but are most suited to your grandmother's curio cabinets.