JUNE BOOK CLUB: “Lover’s Dictionary”

For this month’s book club, we did things a little differently. I asked our followers to submit their ideas for a book since I hate making decisions, and I know that what I suggest is not always what everyone will like. I’d like to thank everyone for helping me avoid a decision and offering up their ideas for a good pick for June! Thanks to @LiviDol on Twitter for your suggestion!

The official description for Levithan’s book on Amazon reads:

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.

See Also

Must-Read Romance Books for a Heartwarming Valentine’s Day

I first heard about this book on Twitter. Levithan’s Twitter account turned into short definitions similar to what is in the book, but none of the tweets are in the book version. After reading these tweets for months, I cannot wait to read the book.

Here are some questions to think about while reading:

• Love is essential to our lives, and it impacts our decisions every day. Do you find these definitions of everyday love relatable?
• Does the format of this book, in dictionary form without a narrator make a fuller picture than traditional stories?
• Are you able to relate to the words and descriptions even when those circumstances haven’t happened to you?
• What is it about love that makes it worth 100+ pages with various definitions?

If you aren’t sure about this book check out Levithan’s twitter @loversdiction. I’ll be tweeting non-spoilery reactions and questions from Literally, Darling’s Twitter @litdarling and my Twitter @bellelcollins, so join us for our discussion and remember to use the #ReadwithLD hashtag!!

Get ready to read and discuss!