One Day in Pick-a-Shelf

Jul 08, 2010 Christina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-reads, contemporary

One Day is one of those books I'd ummed and aahed about reading for a solid year. I would always consider it when going through my Book Depository wishlist, but ultimately I would choose something else. Something funnier-sounding, or prettier-looking, or just more interesting over all. Something that didn't constantly remind me of 'Vince and Joy' (which, by the way, never pick up 'Vince and Joy'. It is severely disheartening).

But when I came across it in Foyles, a bookstore in London, with the One Day is one of those books I'd ummed and aahed about reading for a solid year. I would always consider it when going through my Book Depository wishlist, but ultimately I would choose something else. Something funnier-sounding, or prettier-looking, or just more interesting over all. Something that didn't constantly remind me of 'Vince and Joy' (which, by the way, never pick up 'Vince and Joy'. It is severely disheartening).

But when I came across it in Foyles, a bookstore in London, with the "Signed by Author" sticker on it... I immediately snatched it up. And I'm SO glad I did.

One Day follows an interesting premise: we are introduced to two characters, Dexter and Emma, on the 15th of July 1988. From thereon, we are given a glimpse into their lives, the same day each year, as they grow older, separate and together.

I loved this from the beginning. Not only did I thoroughly look forward to seeing where the new year would take these two characters, but Nicholls' creation of these people was BRILLIANT. The concept used in this novel could easily have broken down, either by moving too fast, or not giving the characters enough time to grow. The reader could easily have felt left behind by missing out on so much between each 15th of July. Instead, I remember distinctly putting the book down somewhere around the middle, and thinking... dear God, these characters are amazing. They felt INCREDIBLY real. Nicholls also did a superb job at always keeping the reader on their toes, while simultaneously keeping them well informed. You never feel left behind. You never feel like Em and Dex's lives are flying by.

The only reason this doesn't receive 5 stars is because of the ending. Without spoiling, the flow of the book does come to quite a sudden halt (readers will know what I'm talking about) that caused me to question what the motive was. Was Nicholls trying to draw a reaction from the reader? Shock them? Anger them? Or was he simply trying to remind us that you don't know what might happen in the future? Tomorrow? Next year? Either way, I'm not sure I agree with it; it doesn't seem to fit into the story.

Over all, I still loved this. I loved Emma and Dexter, I loved everything about them and then some. And now I'm so excited that David Nicholls has signed my copy \o/ ...more

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Dec 07, 2010 Jayme Pendergraft rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010

I adored this book. That's not a word I use too often. I laughed, I cried, I got really angry at the author, and just about everything in between. I can honestly say I've never read another book like it. I didn't love the characters- they were both very flawed, but in the end, isn't everybody? Nicholls built up so much tension but did so that we still cared about what was happening even if it wasn't what we wanted to have happen. This novel is full of beautiful language and beautiful love. I ver ...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Lindsay rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: z2011, fiction, uk

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were complex and likeable, and the story unpredictable and realistic.

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Jul 18, 2010 Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2010

What a fantastic concept: two people meet the last day of college and have a one-night stand of sorts together which turns into a friendship. The book checks in on each of them on the anniversary of their night together for the next 20 years as they live their lives, sometimes intersecting, sometimes in very different direction. I did not expect the curve ball at the end, but really enjoyed this.

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