Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan- Reshelved Books

I'm kicking off my book to movie adaptation month is...

Let us all ignore the fingerprints on my iPad. 'Kay? Thanks!

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist!!! (Which I am sure that you have gathered from the title)

This book, originally published in 2006 was turned into a movie in 2008.  The storyline follows two teenagers, Nick and Norah, over the course of 1 night in NYC- where they navigate the city and their feelings for one and another. (You guys, I remember when this movie came out! I lived for this movie.  I remember when VH1 did a special on the movie before it came out.)

When I thought about doing this theme, it occurred to me that while this is one of my favorite movies, I never have read the book.  (I've read and watched both Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List though!)

I would say that you should always ALWAYS read the book first and then go see the movie.  Sometimes, when you see the movie before reading the book, the book doesn't live up to your expectations.  (If you're with me on this, raise your hands!).

Having waited ten plus years to read the book... after seeing the movie COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF TIMES- I hate to say this... I feel like a traitor... I LIKE THE MOVIE BETTER!!!

 :((((

I'm going to be honest and it kills me to write this but... 
If I had read the book first, I probably wouldn't have gone to see the movie ><

What can I say? Reading the book, I was envisioning and imagining how Nick (Michael Cera) and Norah (Kat Dennings) were in the movie.  It just did not compare.  No way, no how. 

They took some stuff from the book changed it and rearranged it around.

What was weird was that they had flipped how Nick and Norah ended up getting together for the movie.  I didn't realize it at first, even when I read it (!), I automatically was re-playing the movie in my head.

Dev in the book is Thom in the movie.
A lot of what Norah said in the movie, was said by Nick in the book. 

Yes, it is rather cool to see how the book influenced a new and different take in the form of the movie. 

I liked how Caroline, Thom and Dev were more involved in the movie. Their characters had more lines and more interactions. Even though, it was a little trippy to see their lines all flipped around.  It was fun to see their adventure around NYC looking for Where’s Fluffy? too. Only a few scenes from the book seem like they were used in the movie. Book Norah didn’t mind sharing who her father was. Unlike movie Norah, who didn’t want anyone to know.  

Book Norah though...?  She was crazy and not in a good way.  I would describe it as psycho crazy. 
Book Nick though was very true to movie Nick. At least, I thought he was. haha. 

Because we love to be original here with our ratings...

I give the movie Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist 5 popcorn kernels out of five!!
I give the book Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist 2 coffee beans out of 5 :(

Come back next weekend for the next book to movie adaptation! 

~ JMB

Every Day by David Levithan - Reshelved Books

Deweys... 

I just finished a wonderful YA novel. 

And I'm itching to share it with you!! To me, this book is something beautiful.  I loved the concept.  I loved the way that the story was told. 

I just loved this book.  It's as plain and as simple as that.

Every Day by David Levithan tells the story of "A" and Rhiannon. 

When "A" wakes up each morning, "A" has a new body and it's never the same body twice.


When we meet "A", we find "A" waking up as a 16 year old boy named Justin. It's during this day as Justin that "A" meets Rhiannon. 

"A" is instantly taken back and captivated by Rhiannon.

Now here is the thing about "A", when "A" wakes up in a different body, "A" usually sticks to following the daily tasks of that body.  "A" doesn't like to cause disruption or any change. 

Once "A" meets Rhiannon that all changes.... 

Rather quickly, "A" started to throw caution at the wind and make decisions that were rather reckless.  The impacts of some of "A"'s decisions did negatively affect Nathan.  Nathan woke up on the side of the highway, in his parent's car- unaware of how or why he got there. 

In 16 years, "A" never once has had an encounter where discovery is the end result. 

In a weird twist of events, "A" comes close to jeopardizing all that "A" has known. 

Will "A" become known? Will Rhiannon and "A" be able to sustain their relationship? 

What will happen with "A", Nathan and all of the commotion that Nathan is causing? 

Well... I'd suggest that you read the book to find out! 

For a book that's worth 4.5 coffee beans, I think that's pretty fair!

I feel that Every Day is a good representation of the power of love.  You can see how much "A" does love and care for Rhiannon and how much "A" is willing to risk. 

I liked how there was no protagonist (I say this because Nathan is able to move forward past his experience). When the reader looks at the book as a whole, there were three main characters.  The bodies that "A" visited daily, those were just extra (if that makes sense).  Yes, we got to learn a little bit about the bodies but after meeting Rhiannon, "A" was just using those bodies as vehicles. 

Don't get me wrong, the "bodies" that Levithan wrote for "A" to visit were very diverse. Male, female; boy, girl; black, white, Asian; and poor, rich. The family dynamics and the background stories for each body were all different. You got to see bodies who had "perfect" families, bodies who were suffering from mental illness (Kelsea who wanted to take her own life) and the body who was suffering from a drug addiction. 

I loved the ending.  I thought it was beautiful.  I loved how "A" was able to find the perfect representation in a body that would be constant and consistent for Rhiannon.  I loved how "A" took the time to make memories for Rhiannon and Alexander.  I also was proud of "A" and I liked how as the reader, you were able to see that "A" was able to grow.  

I will gladly say it again that I give this book 4.5 coffee beans.  I would definitely recommend it to those who are looking for an easy and quick read that is an enjoyable yet powerful read.

~ Jillian