Weekly Reads: Two Boys Kissing

Two Boys Kissing is the newest book from one of my favorite authors, David Levithan. This title is on my list of Mock Printz books that I'm working my way through and I had been chomping at the bit to get my hands on it to devour it. It did not disappoint. Awws, lol moments, and inevitable sobs it was a truly great read. My immediate response upon finishing was how lucky today's teens are to have quality books like this, especially those that are struggling with being different, or those that need to be more compassionate and understanding to others.

A brief review: this story is told from the perspective and narration of a generation of gay men who have died from AIDS. Their story is spent viewing the lives of seven gay boys and their varying stories, while interspersing some of their own stories and struggles as a collective whole. The main storyline is of Harry and Craig, best friends, and ex-boyfriends who are trying to set the world record for kissing, at 33+ hours. Each boy in the story gets a glimpse of the news coverage of this event, both positive and negative, while their stories are being shared.

My rating: 5 stars.

Mock Printz potential: I will be very surprised if this isn't a Printz Honor book in January. Stay tuned.

Summary from goodreads:

New York Times  bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS. 

While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.