Book | Captain Logophile

The Lover's Dictionary is told not chronologically but alphabetically, as Levithan's narrator uses a series of dictionary entries to tell the story of his love for an unnamed woman. It's an impressive feat that, in "dictionary entries" (one to a page) that are sometimes as short as a single sentence, Levithan manages not only to provide such depths of characterization but also to offer genuine insights into this very particular love story and the nature of any long-term romantic relationship.

After reading the book, for me it is a series of these small truths—mixed with the nuances, frustrations and joys of this particular relationship. It's the kind of book you want to give to your friends who have been together forever, the ones whose relationship you admire; the kind of book you hesitantly give to the person you've just started seeing, while you're both still asking if this is "the one"; the kind of book you someday hope to read aloud from, in bed, to the person you love, waiting for the knowing look you'll see when he or she recognizes that this story is also your story, the story of everyone who has found—and fought for the elusive thing called love.

"Does every "I love you" deserve an "I love you too"? Does every kiss deserve a kiss back? Does every night deserve to be spent on a lover? If the answer to any of these is "No," what do we do?"
                                                       -Anonymous

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined

There are plenty of other comparisons to The Hunger Games that were almost always on my mind. However, when I finished the book I realized that it really didn't matter. So many books are similar to each other, and ideas are bound to overlap at some point. This book was one of the books that is just a really nice feel-good read. So many girls grow up wanting to be a princess, and then this book comes along giving over thirty girls the opportunity to become a member of the royal family. Even though America didn't want this—or does she now?—she still becomes one the Selected and goes to live in a palace with decadent food and shimmering dresses. And then there's Prince Maxon, who may seem stiff and professional at first, but then you can't help falling for him. Then there's Aspen, who America's love first.

"No, I'm not choosing him or you, I'm choosing me..."
                                                                 -America Singer

All the Love,

          The narrator—an airplane pilot, crashes in the Sahara desert. As he is worrying over his predicament; he is approached by the little prince. One day, a mysterious rose sprouted on the planet and the little prince fell in love with it. But when he caught the rose in a lie one day, he decided that he could not trust her anymore. He grew lonely and decided to leave. On the first six planets the little prince visits, he meets a king, a vain man, a drunkard, a businessman, a lamplighter, and a geographer, all of whom live alone and are overly consumed by their chosen occupations.

          At the geographer's suggestion, the little prince visits Earth where he meets a snake who speaks in riddles. Eventually, the little prince finds a rose garden, which surprises and depresses him-his rose had told him that she was the only one of her kind. The prince bestfriends a fox, who teaches him that the important things in life. It is now the narrator's eight day in the desert, and at the prince's suggestion, they set off to find a well. The narrator is able to fix his plane on the day and he walks sadly with friend out to the place the prince landed. The snake bites the prince, who faith noiselessly to the sand.

All the Love,