Book Review: Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

Quote: He leans in and kisses. He says he's missed me too.
I know this is right. I know he's not going to be amazing all the time, but there's more amazingness in him than in anyone else I've known. He makes me want to be amazing too.

June was an interesting month, I read up various kinds of books from non-fiction to rom-com to writing for children despite my lack of reviews here. I wanted to do a pride month reading list, but I got occupied. So I want to end the month with an LGBTQIA book.

Paul grew up gay in a town that's accepting, where the gender boundaries have blurred. The homecoming queen is star Quarterback and a drag-queen by day. Paul is popular, loved and has two best friends Joni the quintessential girl best friend prone to fall for red-flag boys, and Tony a gay boy living with his conservative family. And there is Kyle Paul's ex-boyfriend

Paul meets Noah in a bookstore, a newbie sophomore, falls for him head over heels.

The book stands out, the constant complain the LGBTQIA community has about books and movies about us is: it always ends in tragedy. Happiness is that rare bird that queer community just hopes for.

The book follows the usual pattern of love at first sight, misunderstanding and depression caused by irritating and cheating exes, the break up of the lead couple and how they get back together against the backdrop of a school dance.

The book was written in 2003, hence the lack of texting, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and use of internet came as readership shock to me. Noah and Paul exchanging notes during breaks, planning on weekend dates and writing letters were both heartwarming and annoying.

Till the end of the book I was worried for Joni, she falls for Chuck, not the best guy around who slowly eats away her circle of friends as he sticks around her, like thick as thieves. I would've loved if she came to her senses, but hormones always win.

Noah's character needed more pages, instead, we get more of Kyle bugging Paul. Kyle is the typical red-flag boyfriend of the queer community, an emotional vampire. I loved Tony's arc the most, in a world that's against him, he is fighting every day for his right to love.

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