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Book Review: Every Day – David Levithan

Every Day
Author: David Levithan
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Science Fiction
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
My Rating:

Summary:

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with-day in, day out, day after day.
With his new novel, David Levithan has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day.

 
First Sentence: I wake up.

My Review:

Every Day is truly a beautiful book. It’s one of those books who manages to fit tons of philosophical quotes and engages you into the story at the same time. It challenges you and also tries to change your view on life.

I love the concept of Every Day. Every day, A wakes up in a new body and never lives in the same body twice. One day he woke up in Justin’s body, meets Justin’s girlfriend Rhiannon, and falls in love all in the same day. From then on, he tries to make their relationship work. She’s the first person he’s ever told about his circumstances and the first person he really loves.

As much as I want to hate Rhiannon for her on and off feelings for A, I can also understand her completely. In fact, one of my first thoughts when A mentioned that he loves Rhiannon (who is obviously a female), but also loved a guy in the past, was what gender is A? Does he/she even have a gender because he/she lives in other people’s bodies? The he/she part then made me refer to A as an it, which doesn’t seem right. I don’t mean to sound so judgmental, but I’m used to society’s rules for classifying people according to their gender that way.

I also understand Rhiannon’s problem with A being in a new body every day. When you think about your significant other, you want to refer to him/her with a particular image, not one that is constantly changing. To have your lover in a new body everyday – a stranger’s body where you don’t know what they’ve been doing with it – is disgusting, to put it kindly.

I feel sorry for both A and the people he lived in for a day. The people he lived in lives are violated since A can find and remember any event they lived through and any thought they ever had. A is also a victim because he/she doesn’t choose to live this kind of life. A didn’t have a choice on why he was born, who his parents are, and why he was born that way.

The only thing I had a problem with in Every Day wass how the author seems to enforce his opinion on you. The main thing David Levithan strongly implied in Every Day was judge everyone as an individual of their own, not by gender, looks, etc. I’ll normally agree with him, but if you put that context into A’s case, I’m afraid I just can’t agree.

However, despite the above, I love the way David Levithan writes about A’s experiences in different bodies. A experiences life as a drug user, football player, a beautiful girl, a depressed student, and even a home-school person’s body. Each of their lives are different and opens up the reader’s eyes to what different people face everyday.

I’ll highly recommend Every Day to everyone. It’s a book that makes you think, experience, and greatly enjoy.

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 11-04-12 · 44 Comments
Categories: 2012 book, book review Tagged: 4 star

« Stacking the Shelves [5]
Book Review: Reflected in You – Sylvia Day »

Speak Your Mind

  1. Zemira Djedović says

    2-06-13 at 5:45 AM

    Oh,I want to read this book so bad. It seems that everyone loves it or has at least enjoyed it.

    Lovely review. :)

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-16-13 at 6:06 PM

      You should definitely get your hands on Every Day Zemira! It is definitely worth the buy.
      Thank you! (:
      Kelly recently posted…New Blog Design + A GiveawayMy Profile

      Reply
  2. Gem Angela Tupaz says

    2-20-13 at 9:53 AM

    I’ve been wanting to read this book for a long time, but sadly it’s too expensive for me. I’m still saving up to buy this books. :)

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-16-13 at 6:05 PM

      Aww! D:
      I take it as there are no libraries where you live? ):
      Kelly recently posted…New Blog Design + A GiveawayMy Profile

      Reply
  3. Airiz says

    3-12-13 at 5:47 AM

    I loved this book, too! Its complexity is beautiful. I especially liked the fact that Levithan used it to explore and tackle issues of sexuality. It’s Levithan at his best. :)

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-16-13 at 6:08 PM

      Yep, Every Day is definitely an unique book due to the fact that he tackled issues of sexuality.
      Kelly recently posted…New Blog Design + A GiveawayMy Profile

      Reply
  4. Riv @ Bookish Realm says

    5-17-13 at 8:54 AM

    I haven’t read any of David Levithan’s books, but I want and figured this would be a good start. I am intrigued by the concept and have heard that his writing is beautiful (I am all in for beautiful writing!) What you say about author enforcing his opinion on reader is a bit concerning but I’ll have to read myself to find out. Nice review!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      5-17-13 at 10:05 AM

      This is my first David Levithan book too and it was a great read. You should definitely check it out.
      And I’ll love to see what you think of his enforcing his opinion thing!
      Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Poison Study – Maria V. SnyderMy Profile

      Reply
  5. Camille Santos says

    6-24-13 at 11:52 AM

    I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. That pretty much sums it all. But to be more specific, i love how this book showcased a lot of issues in a relationship that often goes unnoticed or cast aside. It also broke my heart towards the end of the story, but over-all, this was a very emotional read for me.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-24-13 at 1:01 PM

      I can see why you love Every Day so much Camille! ;D
      Yeah, I definitely love how unique Every Day is compared to other books.
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Ink – Amanda SunMy Profile

      Reply
  6. jello says

    6-24-13 at 8:54 PM

    Great review! This is my favorite book of all time!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-25-13 at 1:15 PM

      Thanks! (:
      Yeah, I love Every Day too, it’s so unique and deep!
      Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Books I’ve Read So Far In 2013My Profile

      Reply
  7. Cohlina M. says

    6-25-13 at 6:00 AM

    Great review! :D I LOOOOVE DAVID LEVITHAN AND HIS MASTERPIECES, NORMAL PEOPLE JUST CALL BOOKS. ♥ ♥ ♥

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-25-13 at 1:16 PM

      Yes, books such as Every Day should be worshiped, fawned over, and loved. ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Books I’ve Read So Far In 2013My Profile

      Reply
  8. Selene says

    7-03-13 at 6:00 AM

    I liked this book a lot. This was the first book I read from David Levithan, and I was not disappointed at all (I actually jumped to Boy Meets Boy after this one). I loved A from the beginning but the end… wow… and I liked that well, every body was so different and yet A managed to live those lives.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-03-13 at 6:43 PM

      This was my first David Levithan book too!
      I’m amazed at A’s ability to not become insane after all those lives he lived through. Like, wow.
      Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [31]My Profile

      Reply
  9. Vivien says

    7-16-13 at 12:33 PM

    I haven’t read this book yet. But in the couple of DL books I have read, I did feel like it was a tad too preachy. I’m still willing to give it a shot though because the writing is usually done well.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-16-13 at 6:09 PM

      I felt that Every Day was a tad too preachy too, but if I was given the choice to reread it, I will.
      Kelly recently posted…New Blog Design + A GiveawayMy Profile

      Reply
  10. Kate says

    7-19-13 at 6:56 PM

    One of my fave books!
    Kate recently posted…REVIEW: EVERY OTHER DAY BY JENNIFER LYNN BARNES.My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-20-13 at 12:56 PM

      I can see why. ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [42]My Profile

      Reply
  11. Girlie Marie Joyce Kilario says

    7-25-13 at 1:06 PM

    I read the book and thank you for your reviews because it turned out well. The book is so exciting and has unpredictable chapters unlike others. Your reviews are great! I am so thankful to you for keeping us updated through your reviews and it really helped me to decide to whether read the book or not. Your blog really inspires me and I know, there are a lot of your readers really inspired by you too. So keep up the good work and God bless. :)

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-25-13 at 6:20 PM

      Aww, thank you Girlie Marie Joyce Kilario! <3
      Your comment really means a lot to me. (:
      Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Favorite Beginnings/Endings In BooksMy Profile

      Reply
  12. Maida @ Literary Love Affair says

    8-11-13 at 3:27 PM

    I have heard so much about David Leviathan’s work, and it seems everyone enjoys it. This sounds very interesting, and the characters sound fantastic. I would love to meet A and Rhiannon. I’m glad you enjoyed this! I need to pick this up soon. Great review! :)

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair 
    Maida @ Literary Love Affair recently posted…Review: Breaking Point by Kristen SimmonsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      8-12-13 at 6:25 PM

      You should definitely pick this one up Maida. It’s pretty good. (:
      Thanks!
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Thornhill – Kathleen PeacockMy Profile

      Reply
  13. Jules says

    8-31-13 at 11:00 PM

    This is the first book I’d like to read by David Levithan. I have no idea it would be like this though, and I’m confused. o.0. But I can’t wait to read this. I think it’ll be challenging read. :D
    Jules recently posted…Book Review: Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A TuckerMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      9-01-13 at 1:02 PM

      What do you mean you have no idea that it would be like this though? o:
      Ha ha, Every Day is not really a challenging read, but a fun read. ;D
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Smoke – Ellen HopkinsMy Profile

      Reply
  14. Fatma Shahin says

    9-07-13 at 10:55 AM

    Ive heard such amazing things about this book. The premise seems so interesting and is definitely something I havent heard of before! It has great reviews on goodreads as well (and by you ;) ) will definitely check this one out!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      9-08-13 at 12:09 PM

      Every Day is different from all other Young Adult books out there, but in a good way. You’ll enjoy this one Fatma! (:
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Once We Were – Kat ZhangMy Profile

      Reply
  15. Nikki says

    9-23-13 at 3:31 PM

    I loved this book. And I totally agree, I feel like he was pushing his opinion on you but it worked well with the story. Great review!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      9-25-13 at 12:58 PM

      It definitely worked well with the story, but at the same time, when someone is trying to push their opinion onto you, I get annoyed.
      Thanks! (:
      Kelly recently posted…Teen Thrill Book SigningMy Profile

      Reply
  16. Sana says

    9-28-13 at 7:57 AM

    Nice Review :)
    I’m so happy that I’ve got this book and I would be reading it soon because you highly recommended it.
    I like the concept of the story, maybe Levithan tried to explain the life in different perspective!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      9-28-13 at 1:12 PM

      Thanks! (:
      Ha ha, I hope you’ll love this one Sana!
      And yep – David Levithan definitely talked about the different perspectives of life.
      Kelly recently posted…First Year Blogoversary + Three Giveaways!My Profile

      Reply
  17. HIllary R. says

    10-05-13 at 8:25 PM

    I’ve heard a lot of praise for this book and although it may not be in my Goodreads TBR pile, it is sitting in my mind. I know I’m going to have to read this one at some point and I can’t wait! :D

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-05-13 at 8:49 PM

      I hope you’ll enjoy this one Hillary! I was iffy about this one at first, but ended up loving it. :D
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [52]My Profile

      Reply
  18. Susan T. says

    10-05-13 at 8:39 PM

    I’ve heard so many good things about this book. I can’t believe I haven’t read it yet! I think the gender/non-gender aspect will be really interesting.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-05-13 at 8:53 PM

      The gender/non-gender aspect is really interesting. It also shows what’s happening from the many different points of views, making you think, which is what I’m sure David Levithan was trying to do.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [52]My Profile

      Reply
  19. Suz Reads says

    10-06-13 at 10:12 PM

    I too loved Every Day! The story idea is great and I loved reading about how A handles waking up in a different body each day. It was a book that was easy and quick to read but stayed with me and made me think even after I was done reading it. I would definitely recommend it!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-07-13 at 9:09 PM

      I’m glad you also loved Every Day Suz! :D
      Reading A’s experiences being in a different body everyday was fun, yet also sad. I wish A would have had a happy ending. D:
      Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By Its Signature: Just One Day – Gayle FormanMy Profile

      Reply
  20. Ellen Le says

    10-17-13 at 3:52 PM

    Just from reading your review and the synopsis, the book sounds amazing. Someone recommended me this book a long time ago, but I haven”t had the chance to pick it up yet. :\ I absolutely enjoy reading books with philosophical quotes and life lessons. That’s my kind of book. :) Thank you for the review!
    Ellen Le recently posted…COVER REAL FOR THE FINAL INSTALLMENT IN THE SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY TRILOGY!My Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-20-13 at 11:04 AM

      I hope you find time to pick this one up Ellen! Every Day is really amazing.
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [54]My Profile

      Reply
  21. Hannah says

    10-28-13 at 12:20 PM

    This book left me a complete emotional wreck. I think it gets some really important messages across. Firstly, live everyday to its fullest. Second, beauty is on the inside. Such an emotional roller coaster of a book.
    I get what you mean about the he/she thing. My review took me twice as long to write then normal because I had to keep reading through and making sure I didn’t refer to A as one specific gender!
    The thing I really loved about this book though, is that I really had no idea how it was going to end. So many books I read now-a-days are predictable, you know exactly how they are going to end. I found Every Day a very refreshing read.

    Reply
  22. Brighton says

    12-13-13 at 11:15 PM

    I loved Every Day. As a commenter above said, it was refreshing to read. It has a different storyline, and it also has good characters. He made Rhiannon relatable, even if I didn’t like her at times. But that’s what kind of person she is. Feelings and love are very complex, and people don’t just hate someone and don’t just love someone. There’s more to it than that and Levithan wrote Rhiannon to show that there are good and bad things about every person.

    David Levithan always reminded me of John Green, but he didn’t try too hard to sound sophisticated or meaningful. Levithan wrote meaningful things, had characters say meaningful things, when they were meant to be said. He said them because they mattered, not because he could just think of something very “deep” and philosophical and stick it into his character’s mouths.

    I’m not hating on John Green, but all his characters are the same people with the same vague, sophisticated thoughts. I think now more people are just liking the author name on the book, not the content itself. They only see “John Green” on the cover and only judge his book by that famous name glaring at them from the cover, not what the book is about or who the characters are.

    Anyways, Every Day was a fantastic read. I enjoyed it so much, and the things you said rang true for me.
    Brighton recently posted…Library Adventures: Week #1My Profile

    Reply
  23. Zaira Fernando says

    12-16-13 at 5:23 AM

    A lot of the people I know have read this and they’re all raving about it. Great review, it was good to hear your thoughts and insights! Got it ordered, will read it as soon as I receive it xx

    Reply
  24. Joanna V says

    12-19-13 at 1:22 AM

    I have never heard of this. I saw it at Target and almost bought it, but I was afraid that I wouldn’t like it, so I put it back :(
    From the beginning, I thought it was interesting, and certainly something new. I figured there would be a “before” to all the body switching, but I guess not. That kind of bugs me and intrigues me at the same time. I can see where the gender confusion might be, well… confusing. Haha. I hope to pick it up the next time I see it! Thanks for the review, and heads up(:
    Joanna V recently posted…TOUR STOP AND GIVEAWAY: Heartbeat by Elizabeth ScottMy Profile

    Reply

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