Two Boys Kissing in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Sep 22, 2013 Shelley rated it really liked it

Shelves: youth

Two boys set out to break the world record for a kiss and impact the lives of many around them. This is a super odd narrative, and it took me awhile to warm up to the idea that it was narrated by a greek chorus of gay men who died of AIDS. It felt very passive and dreamy, neither of which are writing styles I enjoy. But it came together and while I don't see Cooper's connection to the plot, I think this is a very meaningful collection of stories and perspectives and relationships and it should b ...more

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Nov 07, 2013 Kirstin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: best-of-2013

Wow.

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Nov 16, 2013 Dana Berglund rated it really liked it

Shelves: youngadult, queer

The story revolves around two ex-boyfriends who are going for a world record in kissing: more than 32 long hours worth. Surrounding them are the acquaintance who recently was gay bashed, two boys who have just met at a small town queer prom, two boys in a comfortable relationship, and one boy who hasn't found his place yet. Reflecting on the stories unfolding as well as the legacy of a generation past, is the collective 'we' of the gay men lost to AIDS, the 'fairy goduncles' watching it all. Tog ...more

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Nov 17, 2013 Abby Johnson rated it liked it

This is an important book for libraries to have on shelves and I love what David Levithan is doing for his teen audience. That said, the structure of the book just didn't appeal to me - the narrators (the gay generation before Levithan's time speaking to the gay generation after Levithan's time) broke up the boys' stories enough that I didn't connect with them as much as I wanted to. ...more

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Jul 15, 2014 Ina rated it really liked it

Such a simply yet beautifully written book full of young hope, love and compassion. Hope it serves as a tool to inspire those in grave need for it!

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May 10, 2016 Leah Fitzgerald rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, 2016

I liked the way this was told. The chorus lent this aspect of being outside the story, even as you were hearing the boys' inner lives and thoughts, to the book that added to the central event. ...more

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Sep 07, 2013 gwen g rated it it was ok

Shelves: ya

I was so entirely ready to love this, but... oof. The Greek chorus of older, dead gay men was so heavy-handed, and Levithan got entirely bogged down in it. The real-live-action characters were drowned out by this cumbersome and pretentious voice, which meant he constantly got in his own way with the storytelling.

I think this is a wonderful idea, and a wonderful thing for all teens to consider, but I wish the execution itself had been a little more wonderful.

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