Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

I really loved this book. It was everything I was expecting.

The writing was easy and flowy and sucked me right in. I loved that the chapters alternated between Norah (written by Rachel Cohn) and Nick's (written by David Levithan) point of view. Of course it made perfect sense for the setting to be in New York. I've never been to New York but I imagine it to be huge and scary, but at the same time filled with endless possibilities of adventure.

The novel starts off with us meeting Nick, whose girlfriend of 6 months dumped him 3 weeks ago, and he's still a sad little thing nursing his wounded heart. He's a bassist in a queercore band and uses music and lyrics to express his soul. We also meet Norah, who is described as a basic frigid bitch. But this frigidity is a cover up for having a best friend whom she always has to take care of and a boy who never made her feel like she was amazing. To avoid his ex, Nick asks Norah to be his 5-minute girlfriend. By accepting his request, it turns into night that they'll never forget and they form a bond that was created by their love of music.

The romance between Nick and Norah is sweet and funny and hot and they are both very endearing characters who I came to love. You can't help but to root for them. This book also includes references to Johnny Castle (hells to the yeah), My-So-Called-Life and The Beatles, which made it all the more better.

Another score for Rachel and David.

After reading Dash and Lily back in December and loving it so much I decided to go back and read the other novels that these two authors had already written together. I wanted to start with Nick and Nora since it was highly recommended by Lori from Pure Imagination.

Well Lori was right, I ended up liking this one a whole lot!! It was definitely different from Dash and Lily, there's a lot more language in this one, the F word is in almost every page and there's a lot more make out scenes, but who doesn't like make out scenes? I certainly do and these were nicely done. The book is a very fast read, under 200 pages long so it only took me a couple of hours to read it and I gotta say that it was very hard to put it down. These two writers have a way to suck you into the story that it made me feel like I was reading a run on sentence with no place to put a comma in. You just want to continue reading about these two very likable but insecure and broken hearted characters that have a really funfilled journey while getting to know each other all in one night.

I really enjoyed the characters in this novel, even the side characters. These aren't some clueless teenagers just looking for fun, they're knowledgeable, artistic and talented, they know their music, their instruments and their pop culture. I love books that have a little bit of pop culture in them, I know some people don't but I do, it makes me reminisce. The characters that Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have created are extremely relateable and realistic, I adored them from the start and couldn't get enough. If you need something fun, this one is just perfect for those sad moody days. Now on to hunt the next novel by these talented writers!

Norah almost says no when a totally unknown guy turns to her in a Manhattan night club and asks if she'll be his girlfriend for the next five minutes. What is she? A Seven-Eleven quick stop? Instead, she leans in and pulls his face to hers for their first kiss. They are both avoiding the approaching blonde siren, Tris. Nick because she dumped him and Norah - just because.

Both Nick and Norah are just out of bad relationships, so they spend the rest of the night wandering around Manhattan searching for truths about one another, avoiding entanglement, drawing near and pushing away, maybe falling in love and maybe not. Nick is songwriter and bass player for a band from Hoboken and Norah is the daughter of a successful music producer. Music is their touchstone.

Nick turns to his gay guy friend for advice and his counsel comes straight from the Beatles. Norah turns to a compassionate taxi driver and finally to her sometimes friend, Tris, who gives her personal instruction on kissing, and shares the reason she dumped good-guy Nick.

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is written in alternating chapters from Nick and Norah's viewpoints, and Cohen and Levithan's voices mesh perfectly. The dialogue is clever and the romance is satisfying and sexy.

I found Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan not long before the movie came out. The movie, starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings, came out in late 2008. As soon as I heard that it was based on a book, I ran to work (remember I work at a library) to snatch up a copy before they were all gone. I was not disappointed at all!

When you are coming off the heels of a painful break-up, your first reaction is probably not going out to hit the club. At least, not in this sense. Nick and Norah are both lively, energetic, passionate people who LOVE music. After their personal realtionship tragedies, they head out on the town (seperately) with friends to try enjoying company.

A chance meeting at a particular club lands these two together on a whirlwind adventure all over the city. They learn a lot about themselves, each other, and what their futures hold for them. Little do they know that they will find exactly what they were running from in each other.

A witty, fast-paced read, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is told in alternating voices giving wonderful perspective and depth on two different viewpoints of the same situation. While Norah is notorious for her foul mouth and in-your-face attitude, Nick is her counter-part as he is rather quiet and observant. All of the characters are dynamic and likeable to the point that I kind of wish they were my friends. Not to mention the fact that these teens actually seem like real teens. The authors did a fantastic job capturing the essence of these personalities. Just an all around fun read that will leave you wanting more. Give it a shot!

I absolutely, hands-down LOVED this book. I read this book before I saw the movie (I'm anal like that) and my husband thinks I'm crazy out of control with my rule about never seeing a movie before having already read the book. Well too bad for him because he's stuck with me and all my obsessive compulsive quirky tendencies!

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist was a fast-paced, entirely fun read. I could not put this book down and read it in one sitting... granted the hardcover is only 183pgs. Details, details.

N & N takes place in the span of ONE day, and that's not to say the story is rushed at all because it's perfect. It's told from both Nick and Norah's perspective which made me feel even closer to the story line!

Nick (wasn't the 'dorky but cute' guy like the insanely funny Michael Cera) was a hot, broody musician who needed a 5 minute girlfriend... and Norah was an emotional roller-coaster on jet fuel. (My kind of chick right there.)

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is so realistically written that I was instantly taken back to my high school days and had me feeling all gooey and nostalgic inside... I may or may not have broken out the year books, that I may or may not have been blond in.

Packed full of teenage awesomeness, this will always have a spot on my shelf!

Ink and Page's Quick & Dirty Review

Rating: 4

Best Thang `Bout It: Easy. The writing. No - how the MCs are captured. So realistic. So, yeah - the writing. And NYC. And the music talk.

I'm Cranky Because: I think Michael Cera is the cat's pjs, but he's more quirky adorable, pat-him-on-the-head-but-prob-not-date-him kind of cute. Of course, while reading, I kept picturing him instead of MY idea of Nick. That's why you need to read the book first. But I didn't know the book existed, and the movie was on the T&V, so there you go. All my fault. (As an aside: does anyone else now see Taran Killam in your mind's eye instead of the actual Michael Cera?)

Should You?: Absolutely.

This book was read in place of Beta which will be published on October 16, 2012 by Hyperion Book CH. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist was published on May 23, 2006 by Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Genre: Young Adult Fiction Contemporary Romance Kick-Ass
Ages: 14 and up

I was really disappointed with this book. It did not hold my attention i was not a fan of the story and the characters were really annoying. The only thing I  liked was experiencing New York's punk scene it was eye opening to see that. Overall i give this book a 2 out of 5 stars because of this and am unhauling it.

This book is fantastic. It takes place over a remarkably short period of time, but I was emotionally exhausted (and satisfied) at the end. All of the feelings that come along with starting a new relationship (and whether or not to do so, and how to get past the last one) are encompassed in this book with nod-inducing honesty. I wanted to talk to Nick and Norah, to tell them, "I know exactly what you mean! I remember that feeling all too well!" I reveled in their successes, I cringed at their embarrassing mistakes, my heart fluttered at their flirting and dropped at their separations. It was wonderful to experience courtship all over again.

I was terribly impressed with how well the two writers played off of one another's passages. Rachel and David created Norah and Nick as individuals, yet they managed to intertwine their characters smoothly and effortlessly. I enjoyed myself immensely while reading this book, more than I have in a long time.

And the music! I'd almost forgotten. This book exudes an appreciation for music of all forms, live and recorded, spontaneous and oft-rehearsed, record deals and mix CDs, that was refreshing to a music-lover like myself. I have never read a better description of a live concert audience. Thanks to both authors for appealing to all of your readers' senses. Your work in this book was incredible!

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by David Levithan

I was very excited to read this book and I must say it was a bit of a disappointment. I love both authors but this book just didn't do it for me.

I would have liked this book much more if it weren't for all the cussing. The story is interesting but I had a hard time really getting into it and relating to the characters. . The characters were kind of annoying and could have been written better. I know for past books that both of these authors have done an excellent job in the past and could have done so much more. I just couldn't dig it for some reason.

I don't think I'd read this book again.

The cover is pretty cool, I like how it's a heart with headphones.

I'd rate it a 2/5

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is not your typical boy meets girl story. Sure, it starts when boy meets girl - but then boy asks girl to pretend to be his girlfriend for the next five minutes, and girl agrees.

Over the course of one night, two perfect strangers fall in and out of love with life, music, friends, cars, food, the city, and maybe - just maybe - each other.

The book is many things: Honest. Engrossing. Funny. Daring. Most of all, it feels real. The teenage characters talk and act like teenagers. For example, Nick is a self-proclaimed straight-edge boy; he doesn't smoke, drink, or do drugs. That doesn't stop him from swearing, nor does it stop him doing things on impulse, as evidenced by the first thing he ever says to Norah.

The rapid-fire dialogue and the quirky narration move the story along quickly. Combine these elements with the overnight plot and you get a story that feels as if it is moving along in real time. Readers are along for the ride, watching things as they happen.

And oh, what a ride. Nick and Norah tell their story in alternating chapters, with David Levithan writing for bass player Nick and Rachel Cohn writing for complicated Norah. I already thought well of the authors based on their previous works (most notably, Levithan's Boy Meets Boy and Cohn's Gingerbread and The Steps) so I had rather high expectations for this book. Not only did it meet those expectations but it exceeded them. This only elevated my opinion of the authors.

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist is fueled by passionate, memorable characters. Don't let it - or them - pass you by. Get it, get ready, and hold on. You'll want to put this Playlist on repeat.

The Young Adult genre is a fascinating one. In one respect, while it is aimed at younger audiences, some tackle some pretty mature issues. On the other hand, there are some books that rather than tell a story, you get the feeling the authors are trying too hard to understand the youth, or trying too hard to be cool. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist falls somewhere in that category. The story itself is good, but like so many other Young Adult Novels out there, it has a tendency to get so caught up in trying to "relate" that a lot of it comes off as being more juvenile than it should, and the characters come off as being a bit more unbelievable.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist centers on the title characters. Nick is the straight bassist in a Queercore band, and he's just gotten out of a relationship with a girl named Triss and as luck would have it, she happens to be at one of the bands shows. In an attempt to show he's moving on with his love life (even though he hasn't) he finds a random girl to pretend to be his girlfriend for at least five minutes. That girl turns out to be Norah and unfortunately for Nick... she knows Triss. It also turns out that Norah has her own problems from an ex-boyfriend of her own. The two then end up spending the entire night together in New York City, getting to know one another and learning how to move on from past experiences.

The book has a lot of good themes and things to say about love that is lost and love that is found. Unfortunately some of its prose and character interactions aren't fantastic. It's a crafty novel with a good story going behind it. For the most part Nick and Norah and the people they associate with are good characters. You'll really come to like and admire them. It's also interesting that the story is told from both of the main characters point of view. You'll get to know what Nick is thinking as well as what Norah is thinking. It helps to develop both characters even more.

If anything Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist only suffers from simply having a little too much internal dialog. It can move the story along, but for the most part there are times when the internal thoughts of Nick and Norah can drag on for long stretches at a time. Some even go off on tangents that don't add much to the story or the character development. There are some funny moments, but for the most part it's almost as though the authors are trying harder than they need to to "be cool." It makes the story a little less enjoyable at certain moments.

Another issue with the book to a slightly smaller degree is the language of these internal thoughts and the dialog in general. We all know that teenagers swear a lot, but in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist there's quite a bit here. It wouldn't be quite as bad if it came off as natural and believable. But much of it doesn't. A lot of it comes off almost like young middle school students

The language might take away from the story in some spots, but it doesn't stop the story from being enjoyable overall. You'll more than likely settle into the language overall and enjoy the story, but it's hard to sit back and tolerate it all when it doesn't make sense at certain spots.

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist By: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
**** (5 stars)

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, I thought, was a very good book. It mainly takes place in a club, in Manhattan. Nick is teenage boy in a hardcore punk emo band with a few of his close friends, who happens to be hung up on his ex-girlfriend of 6 months. Norah is a sarcastic, funny, and wealthy girl but thinks very little of herself. Nick was always doing things to please Tris (his ex.) Norah is always helping her best friend Caroline, who enjoys being heavily intoxicated.
My absolute favorite part of this book is when one of Nick's friends, Dev, tries to explain to Nick the deeper meaning of the song I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles. Dev tells Nick: "That's what everyone wants. Not 24-7 sex. Not a marriage that lasts one hundred years. Not a Porsche or a million dollar crib. No. They wanna hold your hand. They have such a feeling that they can't hide. Every single successful love song of the past 50 years can be traced back to `I Wanna Hold Your Hand.' And every single successful love story has those unbearable and unbearably exciting moments of hand-holding." I feel like that quote has a really great meaning, and it was interpreted very well. It's a quote that left me thinking about things I haven't thought about before. I felt like this moment in the book...this quote was very truthful and deep in meaning.
I loved this book, but I wish it had a better ending. It left me off wondering. It left me wanting a second book. Maybe that's what it was supposed to do, if so, the author achieved their goal. I just wish I knew how Nick and Norah ended up. This book had a lot of swearing in it. To make this book more enjoyable for all ages, I wish there could've been fewer obscenities.
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good love story, with a few twists. It will make you laugh, if you're a teen or an adult.

Misty Hines-Karnes

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, I just finished reading it not too long ago. David Levithan is one of my favorite authors and he does very good on this book too! I'm a first timer for Rachel Cohn but I loved her style of writing as well.
The book starts out with Nick. He is on this stage playing in some queercore rock band. Everything is going great. The beat moves through him, everyone is cheering and dancing, and then.....he sees his ex girlfriend, the one that 6 weeks earlier broke his heart, stepped on it, and then ran over it with a car. The only thing that can throw him off more..although he doesn't see him right away, there is a guy with her. She is SUCH a female dog at times.
Nora is on the sidelines watching her best friend hang out with random guy #500000 and out of nowhere this boy (Nick) asks her to be is girlfriend for 10 minutes. She kisses him.
I know...HOTT! Lol, the story goes on from there. Nick and Nora have one night that seems to change who they are forever. That's the book....their first night together. They go through all kinds of jumps and hurdles. From drag queens to arguing to hotels. This story goes in every direction and I love it. I don't see how anyone wouldn't. It's definetly a MUST READ for anyone that is looking for a good book that will keep you guessing through every chapter.

Wow this was really good. It alternated between David Levithan's writing from Nick's point of view to Rachel Cohn's writing of Norah's point of view. Levithan's lyrical, descriptive writing and development of Nick blew Cohn's writing out of the water. Norah was just skeezy and bipolar sounding the whole time. The constant stream of consciousness that is the teens thoughts are written maybe a little too smart to be realistic but it was great. And what is really strange I thought was that this book had hardly any dialog. Hmm. Movie to be released in '08 with the incredibly cute Micheal Cera as Nick(excellent choice I think!).
The book took me back to being 17-going to shows, thinking my music was elite, sarcasm being the second language spoken, hanging out with cute band boys all night, with the occasional drag queen thrown in.

We anchor memories to music without even trying. Certain songs propel us out of the current moment to another time and place; sometimes for good, sometimes...not-so-good. But it's rare when we're conscious enough to pay attention and see each moment as a note, each event as a song, each connection with another person as a soundtrack. And if we're lucky, something --- or someone --- forces us to tune in and know when it's time to jam along with where the music is taking us.

In NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST, Rachel Cohn and David Levithan introduce us to Nick O'Leary and Norah Silverberg, two teens whose lives revolve around music to such an extent that it becomes the compass that guides their direction. Nick, the straight bass player in a self-described queercore band, spots his most recent ex-girlfriend with a new guy and, in an effort to make her jealous, asks the first girl he sees to pretend to be with him for five minutes. Enter Norah, the straight-laced, ambiguously neurotic daughter of a music industry executive who is only too happy to join the charade (she knows Nick's ex and relishes the thought of her reaction when the ex sees Norah kissing Nick).

This simple "five-minute date" serves as the springboard that takes the couple around New York City on an intense Saturday all-nighter filled with exes, secret concerts, shared favorites, borscht, and an overriding (if also elusive) sense that Nick and Norah might actually be able to defy the odds and make a meaningful connection. The story hits all the right notes in capturing the first date experience --- the awkwardness of not wanting to come on too strong, the sense of urgency when perfect moments sync up and your conversation is a natural extension of your personality rather than a fusillade of "errrs" and "umms." There is discomfort in this recognition; there is also sympathy and relief in knowing that we are never weirder than anyone else.

The book is told from Nick's and Norah's alternating points of views (Levithan writing Nick's chapters, Cohn writing Norah's) in a way that allows for each to become a fully realized character while meshing seamlessly into a strong narrative. Each writer is at the top of their game, showcasing the writing hallmarks that have earned each praise in their individual careers. Levithan imbues Nick with introspection and optimism while Cohn crafts a Norah who juggles self-doubt and unyielding confidence with a precision rarely seen outside the circus. Just as Nick and Norah fall into a conversational rhythm that suggests they've known each other for years, Cohn and Levithan's natural propinquity shines through to make for an engrossing read. If the book has any shortcomings, it comes from what might be perceived as a lengthy denouement. But by that point, you're happily along for the ride and dying to see what comes of their on/off/whatever attraction to one another.

NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST lays down a beat that drives you from cover to cover and invites you to pay attention to the soundtrack that envelops your own life: it's the best way to tell who's there to sing back-up and who's up for a duet.

--- Reviewed by Brian Farrey ([email protected])

Norah is a good, smart, and sensitive Jewish girl on the mend from her last relationship. So when she meets a guy in a club in New York who asked her to be his five minute girlfriend, she couldn't help but kiss him in response. Little did she know that the guy she kissed was Nick, who like Norah, is also on the mend from his last relationship with a girl named Tris, who also happens to be a girl that Norah is acquainted with. In an effort to get over their pasts and on to their futures, the two set off on a journey through New York City. Through music and talks, Nick and Norah get to know each other and find that the people they are supposed to be with is each other and not their ex's.

Nick And Norah's Infinite Play List is an intriguing book that'll keep readers reading through the night. Although fast paced, I found that enough details were there that it wasn't like a "love at first sight" kind of story but rather a developing love. Details in the book are very descriptive and vivid so it'll feel like the reader is there with Nick and Norah himself/herself. I personally loved all the music in the book. The lyrics that Nick wrote and even the play list at the beginning of the book has some very great songs on it.
This book is definitely not a book for children or even younger teens. I was surprised to find that there was a lot of cursing by the two characters and a lot of mention of sex. Although a great read, I would not recommend this for younger people, maybe when they're older. I give this book a 9/10.

Problem: Nick spots his ex-girlfriend heading towards him with a new guy
Response: Asks the girl next to him to be his girlfriend for five minutes
Result: An unexpected, fun filled night in New York City

I just had to pick this up when I heard that the story took place over one night! The story was told in alternating chapters full of hilarious and sarcastic commentary from Nick and Norah. They were both battling heart breaks when they bumped into each other at a show. My favorite part of the story was how music played such an important role. Throughout the night, Nick and Norah constantly made references, tossed out song lyrics, and even chased after one of their favorite bands for a secret show.

This was a short and fun read that made me laugh throughout the whole night.

Take two very emotional, talkative, overly analytical 18 year olds... Have them each drink a case of Mt. Dew (not part of the story, but the same result)... Then have them write a story.

That is what this book felt like.

Oh - and challenge them to use the f-bomb 350 times in less than 200 pages. And the make-out and near sex scenes - yikes again! Way too much detail for a young adult book.

I enjoyed Dash & Lily's Book of Dares. I gave that one five stars.

This book got two stars from me because I enjoyed the vivid scenery. The rest of it - yuck. I need an aspirin.

This book was VERY disapointing. The plotline had so much potential and it all just fell flat. To make this easier here's a list of why I hated it.

1. I did not take to the constant swearing. There was major swearing every third scentence and I felt like it took away from trying to feel for the characters. (If Norah's a «good girl» why isn't she portrayed as one.

2. Aside from the swearing there were a lot of really r rated things going on that didn't make for a good story.

3.The discription of the book made it sound SO much better than it actually was.

4.The whole thing was confusing. If Norah's parents have been married forever than why does she talk about her «step monster» in the begining of the book.

5. I know this book was written by two people but I have seen books about more than one character written by one author that distinguished characters more. It was sad that Nick and Norah sounded like the same person.

And that is just my top five...

This book was captivating and even though I saw the movie-I don't remember anything about it- before I read the book, I like the book much better. It made me nostalgic for New York City, the music scene there and my younger self. I enjoyed the alternating point of views as each chapter was a first person account by either Nick or Nora. I think I'm going to read more of these collaborative books.

This is a sweet book told in alternating chapters from Nick and Norah's points of view. Both are realing from recent heartache and meet by accident at a punk concert. Nick and Norah end up spending a crazy night together dating/not-dating, running/not-running and there is a great view of the life of an older teen in the city.
The best elements in this book are the musical references and the dialog. I actually went around looking up bands while I was reading this and found a new one that I love.
Fast read, good romantic comedy and great music!

This book was great. I loved the adventure all in one night. I love the two pov's from the main characters. I loved the supporting characters (most of the time) because they were just so damn lovable. I love the music within the book. Despite their flaws I love Nick and Nora. It was great that it wasn't a totally happy night, not everything went the way the characters wanted it to but it wouldn't have been a great story if had and you know it. If you liked the movie, trust me the book is always better and that rule it not exception here.

This book actually surprised me. I just thought that it would be some boy meets girl, girl likes boy, they hook up. blah, blah, blah. But this book is different it shows how two insecure people who have been hurt so many times when it comes to love, and it's absolutely belivable. I read most of Rachel Cohn's books so I knew I could relate to Norah, but I've never read anything by David Levithan, but after this book I'm definately checking him out. Oh, and the ending is well deserved even though it makes you wish for a sequal, which may come!

My Review:

Favorite Quote(s): N/A

Favorite Character: I can't even begin to decide when giving such awful characters.

First Line:

"The day begins in the middle of the night."

My Musings: I really wanted to like this book. I really, really did. I've read many good reviews of this book, and I had been sooo excited to read it! So when I finally got it from the library, I hunkered down to read it as soon as I could. So when I couldn't get through more than three chapters, I was very disappointed.

For one thing, the dropping of the f-bomb in almost every sentence was a complete turn off. I don't know if the authors were trying to make the novel more 'relatable' to young adult readers, but it just came off as vulgar. I have nothing against the word being used, but it needs to be used sparingly. Using it every other sentence is just plain annoying, as well as unrealistic. Also, half the time they used it, the context wasn't even correct. It was absolutely ridiculous.

Also, the writing style was nothing short of horrible. Alternating point of views can either be really good, or really bad. In this case, it is the latter. The characters back tracked with every chapter, and I felt like the book was going nowhere. Also, the characters. I know that breaking up is hard, but this was just pathetic. Nick was definitely way passed depressed. His character was super dull, and the only thing that he did, it seems like, was pour over his ex, and write sad songs about it. And Norah..for some reason, her character just irked me. It seemed like she was trying too hard to be 'cool'.

And the 'romance'. Let's be honest here. Who really falls in love after 5 minutes? I believe in love at first sight and everything, but this was insane. Completely, totally unrealistic. I couldn't stomach it.

So even though I only got through about 40 pages of this book, it am never, every going anywhere near it again. I positively do NOT recommend it to ANYONE, unless they like flat, horrible characters, and overuse of the f-bomb. I really hate to write such a horrible review, but in all honesty, it had to be done.

NICK & NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST is pretty much the best book ever!!!! Why you may ask? Well let me explain...

Norah meets Nick at a club in downtown Manhattan and vise versa. Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for 5 minutes to get back at his ex who broke his heart. Five minutes turns into the whole night as they go around Manhattan together. I don't want to ruin the plot for you but the ending is really sweet...and the whole book is.

David Levithan and Rachel Cohn really capture the essence of love and lust and all of the feelings in between.

I recommend this book for anyone who has ever thought that love at first sight was impossible because this book makes me believe it aside from Romeo and Juliet of course...

I really liked getting to know Nick and Norah and watch as their relationship slowly began unfolding. Although the entire book takes place in just one evening, I didn't feel that the story was drawn out or boring. It was a fun reliving of those first few moments of "first love" -- that warm feeling that hits you like a sudden rain shower (in fact, the rain storm scene was one of my favorites). A quick, interesting read.

This book captures the vibrancy, insanity, and curiosity of life as a teenager. The voices, written by two different authors, are spot on, distinct, and very strong. For a Young Adult work, there's not much in the way of story, but because of the incredibly well-written characters, it doesn't matter. The stakes are high because these characters seems real and their feelings and worries and concerns seem ripped out of the lives of two real people. I highly recommend this entertaining and fun to read novel.

Told in alternating chapters, Norah's written by Rachel Cohn and Nick's written by David Levithan, this is the story of two heartbroken teens who, by accident, capture a series of moments together over the course of one very long night.

The alternating author format is interesting. Levithan's writing transcends the "teen romance" genre, while Cohn's remains simply good "teen romance." The struggle between the authors for control of the plot was also interesting to read-- most teens probably won't notice it, but I did.

Nick and Norah are both good, if foul-mouthed, teens. The love they have for music, for New York, and the feelings they develop for each other are very real. I was transported to age 18, first love, and first sexual relationship when I read this book. The sweetness and vulnerability of those first experiences is well described by both authors.

There is explicit sexuality in this book. There needs to be. The differences between one-night stands and loving relationships, the vulnerability and trust necessary for a real relationship-- these are topics the characters, at age 18, are just discovering for themselves. They are also topics that many 18-year-olds are discovering for themselves, and one would hope they reach the same conclusions that Nick and Norah do.

Sexuality, though, is not the only topic of this book, which is about music and love-- in all its forms. Friendship, romantic love, and the Beatles' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" as the ultimate expression of what we all want out of life-- this is a touching, lovely book that I'm pleased to know my teen patrons (who are Nick and Norah's age and entering their first romantic relationships) have read and discussed.

Stellar, awesome, inventive, and all character. I admittedly got pulled into reading it after digging the movie, not the other way around. If you want to live in someone's moment, jagged edges and all, this is your tale. Self-involved, melodramatic, self-conscious, exhilarating, hopeful, pulsing, raging.

It's hard to explain what this book is which is part of why I like it so much. A back and forth collection of interior monologues from Nick, then Norah, tell one night of meeting, connecting, and band hopping in NYC. Definitely one of the best boy-meets-girl I've read in quite some time. Heartfully recommend.

personally this book captured the true reality of being a teenager. from the cursing, so the temptation of the opposite sex. i thought this book was fascinating, and i never wanted to put it down. i loved how i got to see through both nick and norahs eyes. ive read it more than once scince ive bought it and i have recomended it to all of my friends, who also loved it.

Stellar, awesome, inventive, and all character. I admittedly got pulled into reading it after digging the movie, not the other way around. If you want to live in someone's moment, jagged edges and all, this is your tale. Self-involved, melodramatic, self-conscious, exhilarating, hopeful, pulsing, raging.

It's hard to explain what this book is which is part of why I like it so much. A back and forth collection of interior monologues from Nick, then Norah, tell one night of meeting, connecting, and band hopping in NYC. Definitely one of the best boy-meets-girl I've read in quite some time. Heartfully recommend.

personally this book captured the true reality of being a teenager. from the cursing, so the temptation of the opposite sex. i thought this book was fascinating, and i never wanted to put it down. i loved how i got to see through both nick and norahs eyes. ive read it more than once scince ive bought it and i have recomended it to all of my friends, who also loved it.

i have read perks of being a wallflower lookingfr alaska abundance of cthrines an all the rest of th books recommended and ths book defnty stands out. i us to skip thi book in the recomndatios beas the way th cover looked but that was misguiing. his book has tue raw emotions in it and is a wonderul aventure book. like all great books you et an emoiional attachmnt with cahracters willing them(pleadin them) to understand ech other. hs a fun quirky book that takes ou on an adventure for only one night, but even then our so into the book it fees longer . i recommend this for a fun fastread:)

"Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" is an interesting novel, with the narration alternating between Nick (whose part is written by David Levithan) and Norah (written by Rachel Cohn). The book basically tells the story of two punk scene kids who meet each other in an unconventional way, and wind up spending the entire night together in the city.

I feel this is another review that I'll have to break up into positive and negative sections

POSITIVE
+ It's all so believable. Nick, Norah, Dev, Tris, the dialogue, the way "scene life" is described... It is all very on point, and real.
+ The reader begins to care (towards the end, I found) about Nick, Norah, and Nick+Norah
+ It can be touching

NEGATIVE
+ In the beginning, Levithan seems to be a much better writer than Cohn. Cohn gets better towards the end, but by this point, the chapters written by Levithan are quite a bit shorter.
+ It takes you a bit too long to wind up caring what happens to Nick, Norah, and Nick+Norah

Overall, I recommend it. It's good, but nothing special.

6/10

I read this book because I hate seeing movies that are based on books without first reading the book.

I liked it a lot. It was an easy read, it flowed well and I was interested enough to read it in one sitting. Some bits dragged, but overall, I would give it to friends to read.

One word can describe this book: AMAZING. The dialogue is funny and witty and it's a love story that you can feel the sparks. It's like they're there talking right in front of you. It's that vivid. Nick & Norah is still in my head after I read the book, coming up with more quips that make me laugh. It's a love story with depth and I love the whole music scene. I love music and when you mix a love story with music, you know that it has to be good. I loved it. Read it. It'll be worth it. I am demanding you to go to your local book store and buy it. READ IT!! lol. Seriously though, go get it.

Nick and Norah's (IP) is an excellent book.

Though at times it's racy, the authors sweep you away with the feelings of the characters. It was appropriately awkward but ends up being an unforgettable unique tale, with characters you are fond of and a story you wish was your own.

Both Authors, Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, contribute very profound and interesting ideas that invite the reader to question not only their life, but the life of those they affect. I loved how this book made me think of my own personal life in a way that I had never thought of before. But as I felt myself being absorbed into the book, with each profound word and sexual comment I withdrew from the book a little more. I felt that both the obscene words and sexual situations did nothing to add to the sheer brilliance of the book. If anything, they took away from the overall message.
This book is an amazing love story between two teenagers who come to meet together at a concert by accident. Through one night, they find themselves slipping into each other as their love grows.
But, at an age of 15, even I felt myself uncomfortable from some of the situations in the book. They were completely unnecessary in developing the overall message of this book.
I encourage other teenagers to read this book, but be cautious as you read it in the company of your family and be cautious with who you share it with.
Age 16 and Up.

I watched the movie and thought it was pretty good, so when I found the book at the library, I was excited to read it.

Wow. What a freaking let down. First off, Nick and Norah try way too hard (especially Norah) to sound like trendy ironic hipster kids, which just irritates me and makes me unable to relate to them. Honestly, Norah just came off as one of those bored, rich urbanites and I think I hate those kind of characters more than anything. Norah is also super judgy and immediately alienated me as the reader. I had no interest in her from that point on. Nick was slightly more likeable but not enough for me to care about his fate either.

My main problems with the book: *spoilers*

All the pornographic details of Norah giving hand jobs left and right. Then the whole scene where she's about to go down on Nick. How is this grade 9 and up material? It's next to the freaking middle grade books in the library! And honestly, I cannot sympathize with a character with a good home, good upbringing, good life in general, who somehow turns out sooo tormented that she has to put out for attention.

Yes, there is a lot of cussing, which I had less issue with than most people, because I tend to cuss a lot myself. But the thing about written cursing is that it has to sound natural and organic. A lot of the time, the cussing sounded forced, as though the author is trying to get across the point that Nick and/or Norah are such hip, trendy urbanites. We get it! They're frolicking around Manhattan! The arrogance of the writing about Manhattan was nauseating (stuff like, OMG, I'd never be caught dead in THAT part of town).

Not only do I not know punk music intimately, I also don't know Manhattan that well. So I didn't really give a crap about their long rants on either subject. I found it boring and so overdone.

Jesus, why can't someone write a good, smart young adult book?

What there is to love about this novel is immediately apparent. The authors evoke a music scene that is powerful and invigorating. They also succeed impressively at representing the current generation of emo-punk kids. Near the beginning, Norah comments that Tris's outfit is all Hop Topic poseur; soon after, Nick thinks about how it makes her look like a sexy superhero. It's these wonderful, zeitgeisty disconnects that almost make the writing style worthwhile. Did you catch that almost? Uh huh...

The trouble with a co-written book is that half the writing I liked a lot (Cohn's) and half the writing I damn near hated (Levithan's). I like wordplay. I do not, however, like it nearly as much as Levithan. After about ten pages of his incessant wordplay, I wanted to stab myself in the face. Also, for such a slender novel (even for a teen novel), there was a hell of a lot of ramble. I suspect this is a result of the unplanned, back-and-forth way the novel was written. (There's also a bit near the end where the fourth wall is all but demolished: Levithan screws up the continuity on who exactly Dev's boytoy is; Cohn uses Norah as a mouthpiece to ream him about it during the next chapter.) Perhaps inevitably, after the first few chapters, the story descends into "and then this happened, and then this, and then, and then, and then". I like novels to have a tight story arc. This novel was a sprawling mess.

Billed as a love story, it's really not. There's about 30% falling-in-love stuff. The rest is angst about ex-boyfriends and -girlfriends. Realistic? Sure. Fun to read? No. There are chapters and chapters where Nick and Norah do nothing except obsess over their exes. It would be more forgivable if what love stuff there was didn't veer into rather cloying, romance novel territory. At a climactic moment, our adorably alternative protagonists cement their love by... kissing in the rain. Seriously?

The thing to love about this novel is how well the authors inhabit a generation. However, my issue with the novel is that it tries so hard to be original, but fails. It's only a stale story rebranded for a new generation.