Alas, A Lover's Dictionary

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 moment does 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. (Goodreads)

-----

I guess I should start with a made-up definition of my own:

Levithanites, n.

Followers of David Levithan.

There. I said it. Judge me if you wish, but know I'll just hide behind my copy of The Lover's Dictionary. For I am a Levithanite. And in the grammatically flawed words of MC Hammer, "U can't touch this."

Now, while not the typical "Kristin pick" (yes, I refer to myself in third person on occasion), I couldn't help but purchase this book after an author event here in New York City. David was there (yes, we're on a first-name basis now), along with a slew of other fabulous and incredibly talented authors. I approached him after the event and I was sold. Instantly.

It's a wonderful thing, you know? When you take a chance on a book.

The Lover's Dictionary is genius in its simplicity. The non-traditional novel, which is told through dictionary entries, unfolds the makings and ends, the comings and goings, of a most off-beat, charming, and outright REAL relationship. And how Levithan managed to pull that off may be one of life's biggest enigmas. Up there along with the death of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. (Too soon? - Well, now that my site's been flagged by the government, I guess there's no turning back). It's safe to say that David captures love in its barest form.

It's kind of hard for me to describe just how wonderfully this novel unfolds, so I'll let the book do some of the talking for me. Still, I am afraid I can't do it justice.

breathtaking, adj.

Those mornings when we kiss and surrender for an hour before we say a single word.

I know, right?!

fluke, n.

The date before the one with you had gone so badly -- egotist, smoker, bad breath -- that I'd vowed to delete my profile the next morning. Except when I went to do it, I realized I only had eight days left in the billing cycle. So I gave it eight days. You emailed me on the sixth.

and then there's...

 neophyte, n.

There are millions upon millions of people who have been through this before -- why is it that no one can give me good advice?

So, if you're looking to experience the throes of lust, the ups and downs of a lover's path, and the magic of falling deeply in love, look no further than The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan. 

It's unlike any love story you'll ever read. #fact