Another Day, by David Levithan

Every Day was the first book by David Levithan I read (now apparently one of my most-read authors). I didn’t pick the book (my friend who wrote the blog with me back then did). The thought of getting an MFA, let alone taking a YA literature class from David himself, weren’t even on my radar. But the book was very exciting to me. It pushed the boundaries of what I thought writing and story telling could do. Still, I guess even then I found myself wanting more. In my review, I wrote, “Rhiannon’s journey is every bit as compelling as A’s”. This is a sentiment shared by many readers and, apparently, the author as well because this month companion novel Another Day covers the same timeline told from Rhiannon’s journey.  It’s a story that can be read just as easily on its own as in tandem with Levithan’s early novel – and let me tell you (written in a high-squeely-over-excited tone of voice) it is so so good. 

Since the book doesn’t need to be read in conjunction with Every Day I will *try* to avoid giving any spoilers and just give you the goodreads description of this story: Every day is the same for Rhiannon. She has accepted her life, convinced herself that she deserves her distant, temperamental boyfriend, Justin, even established guidelines by which to live: Don’t be too needy. Avoid upsetting him. Never get your hopes up. Until the morning everything changes. Justin seems to see her, to want to be with her for the first time, and they share a perfect day—a perfect day Justin doesn’t remember the next morning. Confused, depressed, and desperate for another day as great as that one, Rhiannon starts questioning everything. Then, one day, a stranger tells her that the Justin she spent that day with, the one who made her feel like a real person . . . wasn’t Justin at all.

Rhiannon was such a relatable character. Even though she is somewhat closed off from her boyfriend, her friends, and her parents all of her emotions/motivations/vulnerability were very accessible as a reader. As someone who read Every Day there were many things I found out about her character and her life that surprised me — and the last sentence of the book totally shook me up. You can probably tell that I recommend this book without reservation. I was lucky enough to borrow an advanced copy from a friend, but when it comes out August 25th please please stop back by and tell me what you think!