Every single day, A wakes in someone else's body and enters a different life while trying to live by rules fair to that someone else, until A falls in love with Rhiannon.
Book Review: Every Day is a simple book, which is a compliment. It's a simple plea for tolerance. David Levithan is saying that none of us is perfect: A is imperfect, and tries to meet the needs of life the best way possible, as we all do. Sometimes people get their feelings hurt or life is made difficult, as we all get our feelings hurt and have difficulties in life. It's life as we all live it. Rhiannon is imperfect, and struggles to accept the life and love presented by A, as we all might. She's human. A becomes impatient with her, as anyone condemned to such a bizarre life while seeing the possibilities of a typical life, understandably would after so long. As in real life, people of color, people with disabilities, older people, all become frustrated and impatient at times. There are few saints in this world. A works hard to accept the diverse bodies and lives, and tho finding some bodies or lives more frustrating or less comfortable than others, generally A is positive, and tolerant. Usually less judgmental than the reader. And to address the easiest critical "insta-snark," accusing Levithan of "insta-love": if any creature would desperately need love, a human connection, would hysterically reach for any chance of warmth, would it not be someone like A? A has no family, no home, nothing but a soul, and having nothing, needs love more than anyone. If anyone is ready for "insta-love," it is A. Every Day is considered a YA book, and maybe its bigger message is lost on those readers who can only compare the story against their own young lives. For a book with a simple message: let's accept each other as best we can, imperfect as we are, and try for a little human warmth and love in our short lives, I'm surprised at the lack of tolerance for this book. It's not War & Peace, it's a request to live and let live, and maybe find a little love along the way. One last note: I'm aware there's a sequel to Every Day, but I'm not sure whether I'll read it, since Levithan's point seems to be made and I'm not sure what more there is to be gained by a repetition of lessons. I could (easily!) be wrong. [4 Stars]
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