The Lover's Dictionary

Summary:

"basis, n. 
There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you’re in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself. 
If the moment doesn’t pass, that’s it—you’re done. And if the momentdoes pass, it never goes that far. It stands in the distance, ready for whenever you want it back. Sometimes it’s even there when you thought you were searching for something else, like an escape route, or your lover’s face.

How does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan’s The Lover’s Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time."

My review for this book will be short and sweet, just like the book itself it. David Levithan has written modern art. End of Story.

Ok, you want more? Basically, this book is literally a dictionary of words that can describe love and relationships and taking those words and telling a couple's story through them. I finished this book quickly as most people will. I also, think this book, given how it is written and formatted and the awesome cover, would make a great table piece or gift or both.

Also, although semi promoted as a YA book and found in my YA section of the library.. The characters are clearly adults. So, it is a good book for adults as well.. and through most of the book Levithan does a good job and not making the relationship gender specific.. which is something I actually really liked. However, at some point I am pretty sure it turns out to be a male and female couple. Had that not been the case, I think the book would have been taken to a whole new level.