Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Ember
Pages
324
Description
Every morning A wakes in a different person's body, in a different person's life, learning over the years to never get too attached, until he wakes up in the body of Justin and falls in love with Justin's girlfriend, Rhiannon.
Description
Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
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 A wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.
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 A wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.
Series
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012-08-28
Physical description
324 p.; 8.2 inches
ISBN
0307931897 / 9780307931894
Similar in this library
Lexile
650L
User reviews
LibraryThing member msf59
“A” is sixteen. A smart kid dealing with adolescence in a very unusual way. “A” wakes up every morning in a different sixteen year old body. Never the same body twice. It can be male, female, gay, addict, suicidal, a brain or a jock. This is the only life “A” knows and he/she has
This is a very refreshing YA novel about identity and love. The prose is fast, smooth and intelligent. If you are looking for something lighter after a heavy read, this should fit the bill perfectly.
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adapted very well, until A wakes one morning, as a boy and meets his girlfriend Rhiannon and promptly falls in love. How A pursues Rhiannon, through her different bodies, is the bulk of this story.This is a very refreshing YA novel about identity and love. The prose is fast, smooth and intelligent. If you are looking for something lighter after a heavy read, this should fit the bill perfectly.
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LibraryThing member VeronicaH.
From the co-author of Will Grayson, Will Grayson, comes Every Day, a novel about someone who spends each day of their (the use of their is intentional, as this person is genderless, per se) life in a different body. A has been jumping from body to body each day of A’s life for as long as A can
I haven’t read anything else written or co-written by Levithan, so I can’t offer any comparisons to the wildly popular Will Grayson, Will Grayson or Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist, but I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It’s a quick read, but it brings up some pretty tough questions about gender and how we view ourselves. In the first respect, there are places where Levithan seems to get a bit preachy, but it was refreshing to hear meditations on gender so plainly and bluntly put, while still showing the grace of love across all genders and races through his characters. To be clear, gender is not the central aspect of the novel, but it is an important subtext, especially since A has no gender, or rather identifies as neither male nor female. Levithan handles this extremely well, and yet while reading, A sounded fairly male to me. Perhaps it was just because A’s love interest was female. This didn’t really bother me, and hopefully it won’t bother other readers. How often does a YA novel have a genderless, wholly human protagonist? What Levithan has done here certainly pushes boundaries, but in a very good way.
The only slightly sour note for me was the fact that A came across as slightly obsessive or stalkerish regarding Rhiannon. A is also quite pushy in a seemingly non-pushy way in trying to secure Rhiannon’s affections. A’s first objective, aside from spending time with Rhiannon, is to get her away from Justin, her current boyfriend. A likewise seems fine with the fact that if they were to be together, Rhiannon would have to basically give up all of her friends and family, because how could she explain A’s body-hopping, or the fact that she seems to be with someone new every day? A doesn’t really care; in fact A’s answer is to sweep Rhiannon off to New York where A will have a better chance of staying around her because the city’s large enough to provide A with millions of bodies in a very small location. She’ll apparently just be running a one room hotel.
I’m glad to see that Rhiannon is smarter than that whole thing (saying this is not really a spoiler; do you really think anyone would go for that?). In fact, Rhiannon is a pretty likable character, as is A, once the whole stalker-thing drops off. A is a pretty decent person who tries to do as little damage as possible, given the circumstances, and even does some good where possible. Levithan’s writing is clear, concise, and authentic. At first A comes across as a weary, old-soul type, and A is, but A is also just a kid looking for a place to belong, even though that is nearly impossible. This book will reach out to teens who may feel the same and hopefully open up important discussions about gender and what it means to be a person, regardless of what one looks like. I really enjoyed this book, and hope there is a second, as the end seems to imply. I like A and want to find out what happens next (this doesn’t read like a crappy blockbuster trilogy, but rather like a story that could end here, yet you hope that it doesn’t). Final verdict: Highly recommended.
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remember. Currently, A jumps through the bodies of 16 years olds. By now A has figured out the basic rules of the jump (every day at midnight, and never in the same body) and has set up some rules to live by in order to stay sane. Rule number one is don’t get attached. Rule number two is don’t interfere with the life of the body A is currently in. Things go as well as can be expected for A until A jumps into the body of 16 year old Justin. Justin himself is more or less a d*ck. The problem for A is that A falls almost immediately for Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. The rest of the novel is spent working that whole snafu out. There are some fun plots twists in here, especially toward the end, so my summary will stop here.I haven’t read anything else written or co-written by Levithan, so I can’t offer any comparisons to the wildly popular Will Grayson, Will Grayson or Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist, but I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It’s a quick read, but it brings up some pretty tough questions about gender and how we view ourselves. In the first respect, there are places where Levithan seems to get a bit preachy, but it was refreshing to hear meditations on gender so plainly and bluntly put, while still showing the grace of love across all genders and races through his characters. To be clear, gender is not the central aspect of the novel, but it is an important subtext, especially since A has no gender, or rather identifies as neither male nor female. Levithan handles this extremely well, and yet while reading, A sounded fairly male to me. Perhaps it was just because A’s love interest was female. This didn’t really bother me, and hopefully it won’t bother other readers. How often does a YA novel have a genderless, wholly human protagonist? What Levithan has done here certainly pushes boundaries, but in a very good way.
The only slightly sour note for me was the fact that A came across as slightly obsessive or stalkerish regarding Rhiannon. A is also quite pushy in a seemingly non-pushy way in trying to secure Rhiannon’s affections. A’s first objective, aside from spending time with Rhiannon, is to get her away from Justin, her current boyfriend. A likewise seems fine with the fact that if they were to be together, Rhiannon would have to basically give up all of her friends and family, because how could she explain A’s body-hopping, or the fact that she seems to be with someone new every day? A doesn’t really care; in fact A’s answer is to sweep Rhiannon off to New York where A will have a better chance of staying around her because the city’s large enough to provide A with millions of bodies in a very small location. She’ll apparently just be running a one room hotel.
I’m glad to see that Rhiannon is smarter than that whole thing (saying this is not really a spoiler; do you really think anyone would go for that?). In fact, Rhiannon is a pretty likable character, as is A, once the whole stalker-thing drops off. A is a pretty decent person who tries to do as little damage as possible, given the circumstances, and even does some good where possible. Levithan’s writing is clear, concise, and authentic. At first A comes across as a weary, old-soul type, and A is, but A is also just a kid looking for a place to belong, even though that is nearly impossible. This book will reach out to teens who may feel the same and hopefully open up important discussions about gender and what it means to be a person, regardless of what one looks like. I really enjoyed this book, and hope there is a second, as the end seems to imply. I like A and want to find out what happens next (this doesn’t read like a crappy blockbuster trilogy, but rather like a story that could end here, yet you hope that it doesn’t). Final verdict: Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member foggidawn
Every morning, A wakes up in a different body -- always one approximately A's age, in a fairly small geographical radius, but that's all the bodies have in common. For one day, A lives the life of the person whose body A is inhabiting. One day, A wakes up in Justin's body . . . and meets Justin's
This was an interesting premise, though a little heavy-handed at times. A's character is well-rounded, which is tricky for a character who is basically an untethered soul. A is both determined to do as little harm as possible, and anxious to develop a relationship with Rhiannon, a place to finally fit in. For someone who has been exposed to the widest possible range of human experience from the inside out, as it were, A occasionally comes across as kind of judgemental, as well. I found the story a little depressing -- I hope it's not a spoiler to say that the ending is bittersweet. This is a thought-provoking read, and while it falls short of technical excellence at times, it's a book that I can see many teens really enjoying.
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girlfriend Rhiannon. A is immediately smitten, and decides to make that day a beautiful memory for both of them. Justin isn't a very attentive boyfriend, and A feels that Rhiannon deserves better. As A moves on to other bodies, A can't stop thinking of Rhiannon. A decides to go to her, to explain A's unique situation and see if there's any way to develop a relationship. Is there any way to make a romance work when you're in a different body every day?This was an interesting premise, though a little heavy-handed at times. A's character is well-rounded, which is tricky for a character who is basically an untethered soul. A is both determined to do as little harm as possible, and anxious to develop a relationship with Rhiannon, a place to finally fit in. For someone who has been exposed to the widest possible range of human experience from the inside out, as it were, A occasionally comes across as kind of judgemental, as well. I found the story a little depressing -- I hope it's not a spoiler to say that the ending is bittersweet. This is a thought-provoking read, and while it falls short of technical excellence at times, it's a book that I can see many teens really enjoying.
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LibraryThing member mikitchenlady
The Hulk ride at Universal Orlando is different from your typical roller coaster. Instead of that gradual climb, where anxiety and readiness builds, anticipating what is to come, the Hulk shoots its riders immediately into the thrill, no chance to prepare themselves for the adventure ahead. The
Each day, every day, A becomes another person. He steps into the body and life of someone else who already has one. It could be a girl or a boy, someone in love, someone depressed, someone hooked on drugs, someone happy. The reader never knows – A never knows what’s next. When we first meet A, he steps into the body of a young man who has a girlfriend that he really doesn’t appreciate or treat well; but A is hooked and we’re hooked, and the story is about how A deals with this seemingly quick attraction to someone he’s just met. As I read this book, unsure about the abrupt beginning, I realized that for A, each day has to be seized and taken advantage of.
The real challenge facing Levithan with this concept is how to draw it to a conclusion when in A’s life, there may never be one. With respect for his character and his premise, he does just that. Exciting, creative, scary and thrilling, Every Day makes us think about who we are and what life would be like if we weren’t.
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same should be said about Every Day by David Levithan. Instead of the usual course a novel takes, where a reader gets to know characters and setting before plot takes over, Levithan starts off with a bang, which makes sense as one reads the novel and understands the unusual premise.Each day, every day, A becomes another person. He steps into the body and life of someone else who already has one. It could be a girl or a boy, someone in love, someone depressed, someone hooked on drugs, someone happy. The reader never knows – A never knows what’s next. When we first meet A, he steps into the body of a young man who has a girlfriend that he really doesn’t appreciate or treat well; but A is hooked and we’re hooked, and the story is about how A deals with this seemingly quick attraction to someone he’s just met. As I read this book, unsure about the abrupt beginning, I realized that for A, each day has to be seized and taken advantage of.
The real challenge facing Levithan with this concept is how to draw it to a conclusion when in A’s life, there may never be one. With respect for his character and his premise, he does just that. Exciting, creative, scary and thrilling, Every Day makes us think about who we are and what life would be like if we weren’t.
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LibraryThing member Moghedianx7
I was so excited to begin this book! What an interesting and unique premise! Unfortunately, the writing was sub par and the dialogue stilted and unnatural. I felt the author was trying too hard to sound like a teenager and not quite pulling it off. Ultimately I was left with too many questions and
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not enough answers. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a terrible book but I think it could have been a lot more satisfying written by a better author. Show Less
LibraryThing member MsNick
While I thought the concept of Every Day was very unique and interesting, Levithan's prose failed to impress me. Much of the writing seemed repetitive and self-indulgent.
LibraryThing member booktwirps
I'm a huge fan of Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist and Dash & Lily's Book of Dares, both books that Mr. Levithan co-authored with Rachel Cohn. I loved the stories and the voice, so when I got the chance to review Every Day, I immediately jumped at the chance. I expected a fun, light read, but what
Our main character, A, spends every day in a new body. A is neither male nor female (or maybe it would be better to say that A is both). A may wake up as a man or woman, skinny or fat, gay or straight. A has seen it all and knows the guidelines he/she must follow to cause as little disturbance as possible in these people's lives when taking over their body. That is, until he wakes up in the body of a boy named Justin and meets Justin's girlfriend Rhiannon. There's something about Rhiannon that grabs A more than anyone ever has, and despite A's better judgement he/she makes a connection with Rhiannon. That connection leads A to look for Rhiannon every day after their initial meeting, hoping to keep that connection alive.
I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this book. It's smartly written and highly original. On the surface the premise seems pretty basic: A inhabits a different body every day and makes a love connection with a girl, but the connection is doomed because the next day A will be someone else. The story is so much more than that, though. It really made me think about all of the things I often take for granted. I have several people in my life that have always been there for me and I for them. They're just a part of my life -- several of them a very important part -- and sometimes you don't realize how important they are until they're gone. But what if we couldn't even make a connection? This got me thinking about A and how lonely he/she must be -- unable to make even a small connection with a single person because when the next day rolls around, you'll be someone else. Once that realization hit, I felt myself caring so much more for A and I wanted him/her to find happiness.
Not only is the story both beautiful and heartbreaking it is also quite humorous at times, and Mr. Levithan does a wonderful job capturing the voice and descriptions of all of the characters A inhabits. The writing flows well and despite the "body jumping" it never felt choppy at all. I loved everything about it. I don't think I've been this deeply touched since reading The Fault in Our Stars earlier this year. I can't recommend this one enough. It's easily one of my favorite reads this year.
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I got was so much more.Our main character, A, spends every day in a new body. A is neither male nor female (or maybe it would be better to say that A is both). A may wake up as a man or woman, skinny or fat, gay or straight. A has seen it all and knows the guidelines he/she must follow to cause as little disturbance as possible in these people's lives when taking over their body. That is, until he wakes up in the body of a boy named Justin and meets Justin's girlfriend Rhiannon. There's something about Rhiannon that grabs A more than anyone ever has, and despite A's better judgement he/she makes a connection with Rhiannon. That connection leads A to look for Rhiannon every day after their initial meeting, hoping to keep that connection alive.
I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this book. It's smartly written and highly original. On the surface the premise seems pretty basic: A inhabits a different body every day and makes a love connection with a girl, but the connection is doomed because the next day A will be someone else. The story is so much more than that, though. It really made me think about all of the things I often take for granted. I have several people in my life that have always been there for me and I for them. They're just a part of my life -- several of them a very important part -- and sometimes you don't realize how important they are until they're gone. But what if we couldn't even make a connection? This got me thinking about A and how lonely he/she must be -- unable to make even a small connection with a single person because when the next day rolls around, you'll be someone else. Once that realization hit, I felt myself caring so much more for A and I wanted him/her to find happiness.
Not only is the story both beautiful and heartbreaking it is also quite humorous at times, and Mr. Levithan does a wonderful job capturing the voice and descriptions of all of the characters A inhabits. The writing flows well and despite the "body jumping" it never felt choppy at all. I loved everything about it. I don't think I've been this deeply touched since reading The Fault in Our Stars earlier this year. I can't recommend this one enough. It's easily one of my favorite reads this year.
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LibraryThing member ewyatt
A lives life a day at a time, inhabiting the lives of others. With each chapter we get a look at the new life A wakes up in and quickly has to adjust to for the day. A's carefully constructed rules and guidelines quickly become discarded when A meets Rhiannon, as A will do anything to see her again
It's a novel idea that packs emotional punches. I deeply enjoyed this novel and spending time with the characters and ideas.
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for more than one day. Levithan has written a rich novel, both giving insights into a variety of characters, exploring the question of identity separated from physical self, and the possibility of being in love when each day brings something new. It's a novel idea that packs emotional punches. I deeply enjoyed this novel and spending time with the characters and ideas.
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LibraryThing member reb922
Every Day is the story of A who every day wakes up in the body of someone his age, boy or girl, and in the same general area of the person he was the day before. He has been this way his whole life and while he doesn't know why he seems to have come to terms with it. Until he meets Rhiannon. For
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her he will break the rules he has set up to survive this type of existence to see if they can have more than one day together. This was an amazing and unique book unlike anything I have read. I actually can't even think of anything to compare it to. In addition to learning about A the reader gets to see the diversity of experiences of the 17 year old in today's society. Show Less
LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
What a concept. Every day you wake up in someone else’s body the same age as you. You are you, but you must act like your ‘host’. Luckily you can access the memories of the person whose body you are inhabiting. What do you think of yourself as? A boy? A girl? An it? This has been A’s life
This is the concept of every day by david levithan. This is not a para-normal romance, thank goodness. It’s a book that makes you think about life, love, romance. Along the way A inhabits the bodies of kids who have drunk too much, who are depressed, who are heterosexuals, homosexuals, geeks, cool. It makes you think about sacrifice and the impact one decision can make.
If you are a guest in someone’s body for one day, would you attempt to change him/her or would you try to leave the person just as you found them? For a fun read with some thought provoking situations, read every day by david levithan.
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for all his/her/its 16 years and he has gotten used to it. No family. No relationships. No ties. Well all that changed the minute, the second he saw Rhiannon. He knew she was the one…the one he wanted for more than 24 hours. But how do you explain your 24-hour life cycle to someone who can’t possibly understand it? How can you convince a ‘normal’ person that the relationship potential is there?This is the concept of every day by david levithan. This is not a para-normal romance, thank goodness. It’s a book that makes you think about life, love, romance. Along the way A inhabits the bodies of kids who have drunk too much, who are depressed, who are heterosexuals, homosexuals, geeks, cool. It makes you think about sacrifice and the impact one decision can make.
If you are a guest in someone’s body for one day, would you attempt to change him/her or would you try to leave the person just as you found them? For a fun read with some thought provoking situations, read every day by david levithan.
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LibraryThing member TheLostEntwife
Imagine living in a world where you are free from sex, gender, sexuality, identity, and experience absolutely no repercussions for your actions. Now, with that thought in mind, ask yourself: "What would I do?"
The answer for A is clear through this brilliant, beautiful, heart-aching story written by
The premise behind this story is mind-blowing. The idea of jumping from body to body, experiencing life through the eyes of such a diverse group of characters - but not only seeing that, but also how it can affect an individual. I found myself constantly wanting to know more of A - why A ticked the way s/he did, why s/he acted with the thoughts of others in mind. And, in the process, I fell for this 16 year old spirit who, through the events in his/her lifetime, had an older soul than I could have imagined as a 16 year old.
I honestly didn't know what to expect for an ending for this book, and I don't want to spoil the ending - but I will say that it worked. That I reached the end and I cried. I cried because I wanted to see the world A did, I cried because I wanted to be surrounded by others who saw the world that way.
I've just returned from a week away with people who acted with integrity, where all races, ethnicities, religions, background, etc came together and listened and talked openly with one another in a place devoted to learning about leadership. It was, for one week, an isolated world that showed me what things could be like if each of us lived in the others shoes. The timing of reading this book was perfect for me because I was primed to accept it. Not only that, this book proves what I passionately believe: that reading opens the mind and teaches people how to not only accept, but respect each other, not for decisions made, but because we are all human, each and every one of us.
The answer for A is clear through this brilliant, beautiful, heart-aching story written by
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David Levithan. In Every Day, A wakes up in a new body - able to access memories, actions, and every day occurrences, but unable to create any lasting bonds for him/herself. Then, one day, a girl named Rhiannon walks into A's life.The premise behind this story is mind-blowing. The idea of jumping from body to body, experiencing life through the eyes of such a diverse group of characters - but not only seeing that, but also how it can affect an individual. I found myself constantly wanting to know more of A - why A ticked the way s/he did, why s/he acted with the thoughts of others in mind. And, in the process, I fell for this 16 year old spirit who, through the events in his/her lifetime, had an older soul than I could have imagined as a 16 year old.
I honestly didn't know what to expect for an ending for this book, and I don't want to spoil the ending - but I will say that it worked. That I reached the end and I cried. I cried because I wanted to see the world A did, I cried because I wanted to be surrounded by others who saw the world that way.
I've just returned from a week away with people who acted with integrity, where all races, ethnicities, religions, background, etc came together and listened and talked openly with one another in a place devoted to learning about leadership. It was, for one week, an isolated world that showed me what things could be like if each of us lived in the others shoes. The timing of reading this book was perfect for me because I was primed to accept it. Not only that, this book proves what I passionately believe: that reading opens the mind and teaches people how to not only accept, but respect each other, not for decisions made, but because we are all human, each and every one of us.
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LibraryThing member AboutToRead
Every Day was nothing if not unique. A wakes up in a different body every day, but he is still in love with the same girl. David Levithan beautifully explored what it would like to live a life that was never truly your own.
I was actually bored by the first chapter, and almost didn’t finish
While I enjoyed the romance, what really interested me in Every Day was how A became what he was and the mysteries surrounding the priest (I can’t delve into this without giving away spoilers).
Every Day is a love story at heart with a bit of mystery woven in. I was really intrigued by the mystery and wish that it was explored more. However, it felt more like a passing plot point at the end of the novel. This is an enjoyable romantic story that is perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks and similar authors.
I was actually bored by the first chapter, and almost didn’t finish
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reading. The second chapter, however, drew me in and I was just captivated by the story. A and Rhiannon’s love story was really well done--sweet, but a little heart-breaking.While I enjoyed the romance, what really interested me in Every Day was how A became what he was and the mysteries surrounding the priest (I can’t delve into this without giving away spoilers).
Every Day is a love story at heart with a bit of mystery woven in. I was really intrigued by the mystery and wish that it was explored more. However, it felt more like a passing plot point at the end of the novel. This is an enjoyable romantic story that is perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks and similar authors.
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LibraryThing member thehidingspot
1. A, the novel's main character, doesn't have a gender, as every day brings a new body (sometimes female, sometimes male). A is always A, but has access to the individual's thoughts as well. This added incredible depth to the ideas discussed in the novel.
2. There's a love story, made unique by the
3. At one point, A is in the body of a girl that is severely depressed and self-harms. A feels the depression and must fight it because depression is due to chemical and physical imbalances - not all depression can be willed away with positive thoughts and chocolate. As someone who has struggled with depression, I was impressed and appreciative of this distinction.
4. A only has one day in a body and he will never land in the same body twice, which begs the question: How large (or small) of an effect can one day have on an individual's life?
5. A falls in love with Rhiannon when he spends the day in her boyfriend's body. Rhiannon's boyfriend doesn't treat her well, but she insists her loves her deep down. I could definitely identify with Rhiannon and felt for her, especially after knowing how her boyfriend truly feels for her, courtesy of A's access to his thoughts.
6. A experiences all walks of life... each new day offers an incredible look into something completely different from the day before.
7. Levithan's writing is, as always, fantastic... Every Day has a plot that sounds impossible, but he somehow pulls it off.
2. There's a love story, made unique by the
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fact that A is without gender. A loves, period. Love is not defined by gender.3. At one point, A is in the body of a girl that is severely depressed and self-harms. A feels the depression and must fight it because depression is due to chemical and physical imbalances - not all depression can be willed away with positive thoughts and chocolate. As someone who has struggled with depression, I was impressed and appreciative of this distinction.
4. A only has one day in a body and he will never land in the same body twice, which begs the question: How large (or small) of an effect can one day have on an individual's life?
5. A falls in love with Rhiannon when he spends the day in her boyfriend's body. Rhiannon's boyfriend doesn't treat her well, but she insists her loves her deep down. I could definitely identify with Rhiannon and felt for her, especially after knowing how her boyfriend truly feels for her, courtesy of A's access to his thoughts.
6. A experiences all walks of life... each new day offers an incredible look into something completely different from the day before.
7. Levithan's writing is, as always, fantastic... Every Day has a plot that sounds impossible, but he somehow pulls it off.
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LibraryThing member bearette24
I really enjoyed this book, about a 16-year-old who wakes up in a different body every day. Levithan has a lot of insights into the human condition. It was definitely a bittersweet book, though.
LibraryThing member DarcyO
Can you imagine being a different person every day? Well, "A" doesn't have to imagine it, he actually lives it in David Levithan's "Every Day."
"A" doesn't know why he wakes each morning as a different person, able to access his host's life and adjust to each day. Whether he becomes a drug addict,
After meeting Rhiannon, "A" tries to reconnect with her in each of his new bodies. Though "A" may look like a girl or a football player, Rhiannon comes to believe "A" is telling the truth about who he is and in turn falls in love with him. But can their love survive "A's" body jumping?
Author Levithan introduces an interesting premise, but the reader isn't let in on how "A" is able to be someone new each day. "A" doesn't even know why it happens. Levithan introduces a slightly sinister minister who I can see as a character in any subsequent books. I won't give the ending away, but must say I was let down a bit, so I'm hoping a sequel will be in the offing.
"A" doesn't know why he wakes each morning as a different person, able to access his host's life and adjust to each day. Whether he becomes a drug addict,
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an obese person or someone struggling with thoughts of suicide, "A" must do the best he can in each person's life before he is destined to move on. Until one day he wakes up as Justin and falls in love with Justin's girlfriend, Rhiannon.After meeting Rhiannon, "A" tries to reconnect with her in each of his new bodies. Though "A" may look like a girl or a football player, Rhiannon comes to believe "A" is telling the truth about who he is and in turn falls in love with him. But can their love survive "A's" body jumping?
Author Levithan introduces an interesting premise, but the reader isn't let in on how "A" is able to be someone new each day. "A" doesn't even know why it happens. Levithan introduces a slightly sinister minister who I can see as a character in any subsequent books. I won't give the ending away, but must say I was let down a bit, so I'm hoping a sequel will be in the offing.
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LibraryThing member nbmars
What a creative plot line: “A”, age 16, has never occupied a single body for more than one day, ever. A therefore is not any specific gender, ethnicity, religion, or color; A takes on the shape and characteristics of whatever body is the host for the day. On different days, A is, among other
As the story opens, A (whom I will refer to as a "he" for ease of discussion), wakes up in the body of Justin, an apparently cute guy but a total jerk. Nevertheless, Justin has managed to secure the affections of Rhiannon, a pretty girl who approaches him “tentative and expectant, nervous and adoring.” For the first time ever, A falls for someone else - i.e., Rhiannon, enough to want to see her again and again, regardless of the body he inhabits. Since all of the bodies A occupies tend to live within about a four-hour radius of one another, this is a possibility.
Interestingly, A observes that while Rhiannon recognizes him no matter what his exterior is, Justin doesn’t really “see” Rhiannon even though she looks the same every day. This is made yet more obvious when A actually becomes Rhiannon for a day. Justin doesn’t even pay enough attention to Rhiannon to notice she is different. (What might seem like a heavy-handed message in any other story is, thanks to Levithan's clever story device, just part of the way we are made to understand how a being like A might perceive reality.)
A tries to displace Justin and establish intimacy with Rhiannon, but he really has no idea how difficult it is for Rhiannon to respond to him in a different form each day. When Rhiannon tells A she just can’t go on with a relationship like this, A comes up with a drastic solution. He knows Rhiannon will be not only his first love, but his only love. He is prepared to do the only thing he can, to honor that love.
Discussion: A gleans a lot of insight into the human condition by virtue of his peripatetic existence. First of all, he must constantly struggle to reconcile the needs of the body he occupies with his own presence and his own control of reason. How, for example, can he fight the drug user's compulsive need for an addictive substance, and would it matter anyway if the host body resisted for only one day? Worrying about "changing" a host body is analogous for A to a time-traveler being careful about not altering history: if A makes too radical a move in someone's life, would the repercussions be even worse?
In addition, he learns the effects – both good and bad - of different types of parenting, and he sees the prejudices people have toward appearances and gender orientation. He doesn’t understand the social distinctions resulting from these differences, because inside of the different bodies, A is still “himself,” no matter what form he occupies. Why don’t people look beneath the surface?
Leviathan doesn’t really provide an answer to these questions, but at least he poses them. This story is an excellent catalyst to get readers to think about social conventions.
Evaluation: This is a very good book, and a great choice for book clubs, but be prepared to be wiped out emotionally when you are finished!
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things: a drug addict, a suicidal girl, a morbidly obese boy, a football player, and a mean and spiteful girl. This gives the author an unparalleled opportunity to make all sorts of social commentary.As the story opens, A (whom I will refer to as a "he" for ease of discussion), wakes up in the body of Justin, an apparently cute guy but a total jerk. Nevertheless, Justin has managed to secure the affections of Rhiannon, a pretty girl who approaches him “tentative and expectant, nervous and adoring.” For the first time ever, A falls for someone else - i.e., Rhiannon, enough to want to see her again and again, regardless of the body he inhabits. Since all of the bodies A occupies tend to live within about a four-hour radius of one another, this is a possibility.
Interestingly, A observes that while Rhiannon recognizes him no matter what his exterior is, Justin doesn’t really “see” Rhiannon even though she looks the same every day. This is made yet more obvious when A actually becomes Rhiannon for a day. Justin doesn’t even pay enough attention to Rhiannon to notice she is different. (What might seem like a heavy-handed message in any other story is, thanks to Levithan's clever story device, just part of the way we are made to understand how a being like A might perceive reality.)
A tries to displace Justin and establish intimacy with Rhiannon, but he really has no idea how difficult it is for Rhiannon to respond to him in a different form each day. When Rhiannon tells A she just can’t go on with a relationship like this, A comes up with a drastic solution. He knows Rhiannon will be not only his first love, but his only love. He is prepared to do the only thing he can, to honor that love.
Discussion: A gleans a lot of insight into the human condition by virtue of his peripatetic existence. First of all, he must constantly struggle to reconcile the needs of the body he occupies with his own presence and his own control of reason. How, for example, can he fight the drug user's compulsive need for an addictive substance, and would it matter anyway if the host body resisted for only one day? Worrying about "changing" a host body is analogous for A to a time-traveler being careful about not altering history: if A makes too radical a move in someone's life, would the repercussions be even worse?
In addition, he learns the effects – both good and bad - of different types of parenting, and he sees the prejudices people have toward appearances and gender orientation. He doesn’t understand the social distinctions resulting from these differences, because inside of the different bodies, A is still “himself,” no matter what form he occupies. Why don’t people look beneath the surface?
Leviathan doesn’t really provide an answer to these questions, but at least he poses them. This story is an excellent catalyst to get readers to think about social conventions.
Evaluation: This is a very good book, and a great choice for book clubs, but be prepared to be wiped out emotionally when you are finished!
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LibraryThing member ltcl
Every Day is basically about love. The kind of love that transcends what you look like, how you smell, how smart you are, even if you are a girl or a boy. "A" is a being that wakes up every day in a new teenage body. Every day he is a boy or a girl and can access that person's memory to act
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accordingly and then erase the memory of that day when he goes on to the next. One day he is the boyfriend of Rhiannon and he does the unthinkable - he falls in love. Every day after that no matter whose body he is in, he spends his day driving or finding a way to see Rhiannon. Some days this works and she, after learning who he is, is able to "see" him in others as they carry on their relationship. Not every occupant remembers the day well and there are a few instances that "A" doesn't leave the person without incident but he meets someone who tells him there are others like him and he can stop. I don't want to spoil the ending of this sweet story of two young people in an impossible love. There are obvious tie-ins to The Time Traveler's Wife but this takes bouncing one step further. Can love conquer all? Does it matter what body you are in as long as it is the same person inside? Show Less
LibraryThing member leftik
Fascinating, fascinating concept. And utterly lonely. Think about it: you are not anchored by anything or anyone. You are an island. Anytime you make friends, they are gone the next day. Anytime you react to something, all other people will think it is the body's owner reacting. A tragedy. Truly.
As
What I most applaud about this book are the boundaries Levithan set up for A's "ability." There are rules to what happens when the clock strikes midnight. And Levithan acknowledges and plays along with these rules - as he should. A is old enough to have figured some things out. It would be almost inexcusable if A didn't have SOME answers about what happens to him. But A has also figured out how to mess with the rules. And I think that's also great. And wonderful. The fact he has an email account delights me.
When it comes to the bigger questions Levithan asks about A's interference into the lives of others and religion and whether there are others like A out there, it's pretty nebulous. I expect it will invoke some strong opinions one way or the other.
All in all, a great book - gorgeously written, strong characters, fast-paced plot. The best part, though, was how many different questions and thoughts it generated in ME. Meaning it probably would make a fascinated book for an (open minded and awesome) book club.
As
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usual, Every Day is gorgeously written by Levithan. And he invokes fascinating thoughts about gender, sexuality, drug addiction, what is good, how much a person should interfere, etc., etc. But the larger question is how much should A get to own his life.What I most applaud about this book are the boundaries Levithan set up for A's "ability." There are rules to what happens when the clock strikes midnight. And Levithan acknowledges and plays along with these rules - as he should. A is old enough to have figured some things out. It would be almost inexcusable if A didn't have SOME answers about what happens to him. But A has also figured out how to mess with the rules. And I think that's also great. And wonderful. The fact he has an email account delights me.
When it comes to the bigger questions Levithan asks about A's interference into the lives of others and religion and whether there are others like A out there, it's pretty nebulous. I expect it will invoke some strong opinions one way or the other.
All in all, a great book - gorgeously written, strong characters, fast-paced plot. The best part, though, was how many different questions and thoughts it generated in ME. Meaning it probably would make a fascinated book for an (open minded and awesome) book club.
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LibraryThing member mackenziekreitz
This book piqued my interest because it is about a 5 year old boy, and i love kids so i started listening to the description. then it was talking about how he is held captive along with his mother and how they then make up a world of their own. i became curious to find out what ends up happening in
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the book so that is why i would like to read this. Show Less
LibraryThing member brnoze
Thought provoking with twists. I have read other books by David Levithan and was expecting more of his snarky humor but this book is deeper. I found myself surprised by certain twists but other author directions were more predictable. I just finished this last night. Mmmm... I am going to have to
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think about this one more. Book clubs will find plenty to talk about with this book. Mr. Levithan has written a very interesting look into the lives of countless young adults.I found some very quotable passages.This is for adults and young adults. Show Less
LibraryThing member hrose2931
Have you read Every Day yet? It was really unexpected for me. I had no idea that this concept, a soul that slips in and out of a body day after day, a different body, never the same one twice, I just didn't expect it to be able to impact me like it did. You too? What got you? For me it was A's
Some people think mental illness is a matter of mood, a matter of personality.
It is, they believe, something that you have some choice over.
I know how wrong this is.
....the cause of the feelings was a matter of chemistry, biology.
It is a hard cycle to conquer. It takes uncommon strength to live with these things.
But I have seen that strength over and over again.
I have to keep reminding myself---this is not me. It is chemistry. It is biology.
It is not who I am. It is not who any of them are.
Now, you might want to know why did that pull me into the story? Because I could identify with the character A had become. I knew exactly what A was talking about though I'd never considered myself strong. The "Aha Moment" was Chemical Imbalance=Feelings. It's incredibly hard to understand and yet I have to remind myself that's what it is when that little tape starts playing telling me all the negative feelings and the downward spiral starts. Chemicals, that's what causes that. It's still hard to believe even though I live with it. But more than that. Someone understood me. A knew who I was, am. A has lived my life probably several days. And it almost made me cry that someone understood what every day is like for me. I don't know how David Levithan knew the right words, but he said what I wish I could have said so many times. Only he got the words so perfect. It reads like poetry to me it's so true and beautifully stated.
So, I identified with A about a third of the way through. But, actually, I'd already started identifying with him much earlier. How can you not identify with someone who is everyone and no one? I admired the hell out of A. For never caring what kind of relationship A was in. The how and why was less important than the lesson. A just accepted anyone. Wanting something for himself/herself, some sameness, it would seem that wouldn't be too much to ask. And to want and love something so much, was amazing to read about. There is a slight bit of mystery in the book, and the ending is a bit heartbreaking but you know it's coming. There just isn't another answer because A is all giving, unselfish, and in the end, all accepting of the situation of it's life
I challenge you to read Every Day. Find your Aha Moment. See which character you identify with, or maybe characters. And maybe see the world through A's eyes. Seeing the similarities in us all, instead of the differences. Find your Every Day in the book. There may be a passage in there or two that speaks to you as much as the one about mental illness did to me. There are a lot of Every Days. When you find yours, share it with me.
This book is recommended for YA readers and adults. I received a complimentary copy of the ARC from the publishers for review from NetGalley, but I also purchased my own copy.
I highly recommend this novel.
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ability to exist as anyone. Girl, boy, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, jock, nerd, gorgeous, ugly, morbidly obese, plain, smart,caustic, suicidal. That, that was the one that broke through all my barriers and put me right there in the story. A has to experience all of these people's lives as they are. He can't change them in a day. So when he wakes up in the body of a girl that is deeply depressed he talks about his past experiences being in a body that is fighting mental illness. (I use he and yet there is no gender, only that of the body A inhabits each day.) That's the part that gets me. It's the page and a half before, that describes what mental illness is. It was an "Aha moment" for me and I've lived with mental illness my entire life (since 4th grade). I actually bought the book so I could quote the page so forgive me. This is paraphrasing pages 116-117Some people think mental illness is a matter of mood, a matter of personality.
It is, they believe, something that you have some choice over.
I know how wrong this is.
....the cause of the feelings was a matter of chemistry, biology.
It is a hard cycle to conquer. It takes uncommon strength to live with these things.
But I have seen that strength over and over again.
I have to keep reminding myself---this is not me. It is chemistry. It is biology.
It is not who I am. It is not who any of them are.
Now, you might want to know why did that pull me into the story? Because I could identify with the character A had become. I knew exactly what A was talking about though I'd never considered myself strong. The "Aha Moment" was Chemical Imbalance=Feelings. It's incredibly hard to understand and yet I have to remind myself that's what it is when that little tape starts playing telling me all the negative feelings and the downward spiral starts. Chemicals, that's what causes that. It's still hard to believe even though I live with it. But more than that. Someone understood me. A knew who I was, am. A has lived my life probably several days. And it almost made me cry that someone understood what every day is like for me. I don't know how David Levithan knew the right words, but he said what I wish I could have said so many times. Only he got the words so perfect. It reads like poetry to me it's so true and beautifully stated.
So, I identified with A about a third of the way through. But, actually, I'd already started identifying with him much earlier. How can you not identify with someone who is everyone and no one? I admired the hell out of A. For never caring what kind of relationship A was in. The how and why was less important than the lesson. A just accepted anyone. Wanting something for himself/herself, some sameness, it would seem that wouldn't be too much to ask. And to want and love something so much, was amazing to read about. There is a slight bit of mystery in the book, and the ending is a bit heartbreaking but you know it's coming. There just isn't another answer because A is all giving, unselfish, and in the end, all accepting of the situation of it's life
I challenge you to read Every Day. Find your Aha Moment. See which character you identify with, or maybe characters. And maybe see the world through A's eyes. Seeing the similarities in us all, instead of the differences. Find your Every Day in the book. There may be a passage in there or two that speaks to you as much as the one about mental illness did to me. There are a lot of Every Days. When you find yours, share it with me.
This book is recommended for YA readers and adults. I received a complimentary copy of the ARC from the publishers for review from NetGalley, but I also purchased my own copy.
I highly recommend this novel.
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LibraryThing member mamzel
For about 6,000 days, from his birth, A has been waking up in a different body. Always the same age as him, but never the same person. At 16 years old it stands to reason that he finally meets a girl that becomes significant to him while in her boyfriend's body. Days later he confides with her and
I say "he" but other than the fact that we first meet him in a boy's body and he falls in love with a girl, there is no reason to take that fact for granted. We never learn why he is fated to this life, nor if he is the only one.
We do learn how he has come to grips with these constant changes and how he adapts to them. Each day he has to figure out his family life, does he have any allergies, if can he drive, and how far away from Rhiannon he is.
And all through this we find that he adapts to his new life quickly, makes it through that person's day, and tries to leave happy memories of that day. Only once does he actively interfere with his person's life for their own sake.
An extraordinary young person - A will remain in my memory for a long time.
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she shares his unusual life.I say "he" but other than the fact that we first meet him in a boy's body and he falls in love with a girl, there is no reason to take that fact for granted. We never learn why he is fated to this life, nor if he is the only one.
We do learn how he has come to grips with these constant changes and how he adapts to them. Each day he has to figure out his family life, does he have any allergies, if can he drive, and how far away from Rhiannon he is.
And all through this we find that he adapts to his new life quickly, makes it through that person's day, and tries to leave happy memories of that day. Only once does he actively interfere with his person's life for their own sake.
An extraordinary young person - A will remain in my memory for a long time.
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LibraryThing member LMKatz
Every Day by David Levithan is one of the most captivating teen love stories that I have read in a very long time. It is a complex story that takes the reader into the unknown. Levithan has created a beautiful, well-written story about life and how it changes from one moment to the next. The story
This fabulous teen and adult read makes the reader really think deeply about how we love and how we judge people by our looks on the outside, not always what is on the inside. This story makes you think about what it would be like to be someone else even for a day. It is a very thought provoking, creative, imaginative story. A great recommendation!
Grades 8th and above.
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has a science fiction twist in that the main character, called “A”, isn’t really a boy or a girl. We are lead to believe that he is a boy but we aren’t sure. Everyday “A” wakes up in a different teenager’s body, boys and girls, rich and poor, ugly and beautiful. “A” experiences their life for just 24 hours and then goes to sleep to wake up in another body the next day. But while “A’s soul skips around from body to body he falls in love with a young girl name Rhiannon. Suddenly “A” can’t enjoy the rules of his life anymore and has found someone that he wants to spend everyday with, but can he? This is an unbelievable story about all different types of people and their lives: the good, the bad, and the ugly. This is a story that makes you think about your own life. This fabulous teen and adult read makes the reader really think deeply about how we love and how we judge people by our looks on the outside, not always what is on the inside. This story makes you think about what it would be like to be someone else even for a day. It is a very thought provoking, creative, imaginative story. A great recommendation!
Grades 8th and above.
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LibraryThing member shojo_a
I didn't have a lot of time to finish this before book club. I had today off, and I figured I'd be able to make a sizable dent in it, because people had told me it was a quick read. Well, I ended up finishing it in just a few hours.
I really liked it. It was a fascinating concept - can you love
I really liked it. It was a fascinating concept - can you love
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someone who is a different person (on the outside) every single day? I really liked the way the author set about answering that question, and I liked the answer that he came to. I thought the book ended just the way it should. And he also raised a lot of other interesting issues about physical appearance, gender, sexuality, family, the way we treat others, and the meaning of a life. Show Less
LibraryThing member kellkellkelly
This is one of my most favorite books of all time. It's a beautiful story about universal love--no matter the gender, religion, beliefs, etc. It is both wonderful and heart-wrenching.
Awards
Lambda Literary Award (Finalist — 2013)
Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction (Finalist — 2012)
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Honor Book — 2015)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 9-12 — 2014)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2014)
Nutmeg Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2015)
Gateway Readers Award (Nominee — 2015)
Green Mountain Book Award (Nominee — 2015)
Thumbs Up! Award (Honor — 2013)
Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2014)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — Teen — 2015)
Colorado Blue Spruce Award (Nominee — 2014)
Florida Teens Read Award (Nominee — 2014)
Concorde Book Award (Shortlist — 2015)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Winner — High School — 2015)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2014)
UKLA Book Award (Shortlist — 2015)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2015)
Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers (Nominee — 2014)
Rhode Island Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2014)
Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis (Winner — 2015)
Sakura Medal (High School — 2014)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Top Ten — 2013)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (High School — 2013-2015)
Nerdy Book Award (Young Adult Literature — 2012)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Teens (Fiction — 2012)
Young Adult Favorites Award (2013)
OYAN Book Rave (2013)
Call number
YA B Lev