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A has no friends. No parents. No family. No possessions. No home, even. Because every day, A wakes up in the body of a different person. Every morning, a different bed. A different room. A different house. A different life. A is able to access each person's memory, enough to be able to get through the day without parents, friends, and teachers realizing this is not their child, not their friend, not their student. Because it isn't. It's A. Inhabiting each person's body. Seeing the world through their eyes. Thinking with their brain. Speaking with their voice.
It's a lonely existence—until, one day, it isn't. A meets a girl named Rhiannon. And, in an instant, A falls for her, after a perfect day together. But when night falls, it's over. Because A can never be the same person twice. But yet, A can't stop thinking about her. She becomes A's reason for existing. So each day, in different bodies—of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, walks of life—A tries to get back to her. And convince her of their love. But can their love transcend such an obstacle?
Kirkus Reviews Best of Teen's Books 2012
Booklist Best of Children's Books 2012
"Fresh, unique, funny, and achingly honest, Levithan brilliantly explores the adolescent conundrum of not feeling like oneself, and not knowing where one belongs. I didn't just read this book — I inhaled it." —Jodi Picoult, NYT bestselling author of Lone Wolf and Between the Lines
Entertainment Weekly, August 22, 2012:
"Rich in wisdom and wit...Levithan keeps the pages turning not only with ingenious twists on his central conceit but with A's hard-earned pieces of wisdom about identity, isolation, and love. Every Day has the power to teach a bully empathy by answering an essential question: What's it like to be you and not me — even if it's just for one day?"
New York Times Book Review, August 26, 2012:
"It demonstrates Levithan's talent for empathy, which is paired in the best parts of the book with a persuasive optimism about the odds for happiness and for true love."
Los Angeles Times, September 2, 2012:
"It's the rare book that challenges gender presumptions in a way that's as entertaining as it is unexpected and, perhaps most important, that's relatable to teens who may not think they need sensitivity training when it comes to sexual orientation and the nature of true love. ‘Every Day' is precisely such a book...A story that is always alluring, oftentimes humorous and much like love itself — splendorous."
MTV Hollywood Crush, September 28, 2012:
"Thoughtful and fascinating...A study in the most real and human of concerns: the importance of empathy, the value of friends and family, and the beauty of permanence that we have the luxury of taking for granted."
Boston Globe, September 15, 2012:
"Ambitious and provocative...we’re not ready to let A go."
OUT Magazine, December 2012:
"One of the most inventive young adult novels of the year."
Romantic Times, October 2012:
"Levithan is a literary genius. His style of writing is brilliant — practically flawless... Reading A’s journey to make love last, in a world that is always changing, is an experience I hope everyone gets to share."
Starred Review, School Library Journal, September 2012:
"Every step of the narrative feels real and will elicit a strong emotional response from readers and offer them plenty of fodder for speculation, especially regarding the nature of love.”
Starred Review, Booklist, July 1, 2012:
“Levithan has created an irresistible premise that is sure to captivate readers….
[Every Day] is a study in style, an exercise in imagination, and an opportunity for readers themselves to occupy another life: that of A, himself.”
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2012:
“An awe-inspiring, thought-provoking reminder that love reaches beyond physical appearances or gender.”
Starred Review, Shelf Awareness, September 7, 2012:
"Levithan's unusual love story will make teens think about how the core of the soul never changes. A speaks of faith, love, dreams and death with a wisdom derived from thousands of lives visited over 16 years and firsthand proof of how much humans share rather than what sets them apart."
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, September 2012:
"This unconventional romance considers some fascinating and unexpected questions about the nature of identity, consciousness, love, and gender...Readers will identify with A’s profound longing for connection, but they’ll also be intrigued by the butterfly effect A’s presence may have on numerous other teens who make brief but memorable appearances."
The Horn Book, November 2012:
"Brilliantly conceived...[Levithan] shapes the narrative into a profound exploration of what it means to love someone."
Letter Blocks, the BN Parents & Educators blog, August 23, 2012:
"A definite crowd-pleaser."
The L Magazine, August 29, 2012:
"The premise allows for stimulating parallels: A’s experience is both like the writer’s, who inhabits the consciousnesses of random characters, and the adolescent’s, who tries on myriad identities."
DAVID LEVITHAN is a children's book editor in New York City, and the author of several books for young adults, including Boy Meets Boy, Love Is the Higher Law,and Every You, Every Me. He co-authored Will Grayson, Will Grayson with John Green, and, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List, andDash & Lily's Book of Dares with Rachel Cohn. He lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.
"This book started out as a Valentine story I sent to friends; I've done that for the past 15 years, and this one happened to turn into a novel."
"Since January 1, 2001, I've taken a photograph every day, part of a New Year's resolution that shows no signs of stopping."
"My friend Kristin and I decorate each other's offices for our birthdays, and as a result I am surrounded by a year's worth of small celebrations, from mobiles to woodcuts of the Eiffel Tower to (this year's decoration) photos from my childhood.
Day 5994
I wake up.
Immediately I have to figure out who I am. It’s not just the body—opening my eyes and discovering whether the skin on my arm is light or dark, whether my hair is long or short, whether I’m fat or thin, boy or girl, scarred or smooth. The body is the easiest thing to adjust to, if you’re used to waking up in a new one each morning. It’s the life, the context of the body, that can be hard to grasp.
Every day I am someone else. I am myself—I know I am myself—but I am also someone else.
It has always been like this.
The information is there. I wake up, open my eyes, understand that it is a new morning, a new place. The biography kicks in, a welcome gift from the not‑me part of the mind. Today I am Justin. Somehow I know this—my name is Justin—and at the same time I know that I’m not really Justin, I’m only borrowing his life for a day. I look around and know that this is his room. This is his home. The alarm will go off in seven minutes.
I’m never the same person twice, but I’ve certainly been this type before. Clothes everywhere. Far more video games than books. Sleeps in his boxers. From the taste of his mouth, a smoker. But not so addicted that he needs one as soon as he wakes up.
“Good morning, Justin,” I say. Checking out his voice. Low. The voice in my head is always different.
Justin doesn’t take care of himself. His scalp itches. His eyes don’t want to open. He hasn’t gotten much sleep.
Already I know I’m not going to like today.
It’s hard being in the body of someone you don’t like, because you still have to respect it. I’ve harmed people’s lives in the past, and I’ve found that every time I slip up, it haunts me. So I try to be careful.
From what I can tell, every person I inhabit is the same age as me. I don’t hop from being sixteen to being sixty. Right now, it’s only sixteen. I don’t know how this works. Or why. I stopped trying to figure it out a long time ago. I’m never going to figure it out, any more than a normal person will figure out his or her own existence. After a while, you have to be at peace with the fact that you simply are. There is no way to know why. You can have theories, but there will never be proof.
I can access facts, not feelings. I know this is Justin’s room, but I have no idea if he likes it or not. Does he want to kill his parents in the next room? Or would he be lost without his mother coming in to make sure he’s awake? It’s impossible to tell. It’s as if that part of me replaces the same part of whatever person I’m in. And while I’m glad to be thinking like myself, a hint every now and then of how the other person thinks would be helpful. We all contain mysteries, especially when seen from the inside.
The alarm goes off. I reach for a shirt and some jeans, but something lets me see that it’s the same shirt he wore yesterday. I pick a different shirt. I take the clothes with me to the bathroom, dress after showering. His parents are in the kitchen now. They have no idea that anything is different.
Sixteen years is a lot of time to practice. I don’t usually make mistakes. Not anymore.
I read his parents easily: Justin doesn’t talk to them much in the morning, so I don’t have to talk to them. I have grown accustomed to sensing expectation in others, or the lack of it. I shovel down some cereal, leave the bowl in the sink without washing it, grab Justin’s keys and go.
Yesterday I was a girl in a town I’d guess to be two hours away. The day before, I was a boy in a town three hours farther than that. I am already forgetting their details. I have to, or else I will never remember who I really am.
Justin listens to loud and obnoxious music on a loud and obnoxious station where loud and obnoxious DJs make loud and obnoxious jokes as a way of getting through the morning. This is all I need to know about Justin, really. I access his memory to show me the way to school, which parking space to take, which locker to go to. The combination. The names of the people he knows in the halls.
Sometimes I can’t go through these motions. I can’t bring myself to go to school, maneuver through the day. I’ll say I’m sick, stay in bed and read a few books. But even that gets tiresome after a while, and I find myself up for the challenge of a new school, new friends. For a day.
As I take Justin’s books out of his locker, I can feel someone hovering on the periphery. I turn, and the girl standing there is transparent in her emotions—tentative and expectant, nervous and adoring. I don’t have to access Justin to know that this is his girlfriend. No one else would have this reaction to him, so unsteady in his presence. She’s pretty, but she doesn’t see it. She’s hiding behind her hair, happy to see me and unhappy to see me at the same time.
Her name is Rhiannon. And for a moment—just the slightest beat—I think that, yes, this is the right name for her. I don’t know why. I don’t know her. But it feels right.
This is not Justin’s thought. It’s mine. I try to ignore it. I’m not the person she wants to talk to.
“Hey,” I say, keeping it casual.
“Hey,” she murmurs back.
She’s looking at the floor, at her inked‑in Converse. She’s drawn cities there, skylines around the soles. Something’s happened between her and Justin, and I don’t know what it is. It’s probably not something that Justin even recognized at the time.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
I see the surprise on her face, even as she tries to cover it. This is not something that Justin normally asks.
And the strange thing is: I want to know the answer. The fact that he wouldn’t care makes me want it more.
“Sure,” she says, not sounding sure at all.
I find it hard to look at her. I know from experience that beneath every peripheral girl is a central truth. She’s hiding hers away, but at the same time she wants me to see it. That is, she wants Justin to see it. And it’s there, just out of my reach. A sound waiting to be a word.
She is so lost in her sadness that she has no idea how visible it is. I think I understand her—for a moment, I presume to understand her—but then, from within this sadness, she surprises me with a brief flash of determination. Bravery, even.
Shifting her gaze away from the floor, her eyes matching mine, she asks, “Are you mad at me?”
I can’t think of any reason to be mad at her. If anything, I am mad at Justin, for making her feel so diminished. It’s there in her body language. When she is around him, she makes herself small.
“No,” I say. “I’m not mad at you at all.”
I tell her what she wants to hear, but she doesn’t trust it. I feed her the right words, but she suspects they’re threaded with hooks.
This is not my problem; I know that. I am here for one day. I cannot solve anyone’s boyfriend problems. I should not change anyone’s life.
I turn away from her, get my books out, close the locker. She stays in the same spot, anchored by the profound, desperate loneliness of a bad relationship.
“Do you still want to get lunch today?” she asks.
The easy thing would be to say no. I often do this: sense the other person’s life drawing me in, and run in the other direction.
But there’s something about her—the cities on her shoes, the flash of bravery, the unnecessary sadness—that makes me want to know what the word will be when it stops being a sound. I have spent years meeting people without ever knowing them, and on this morning, in this place, with this girl, I feel the faintest pull of wanting to know. And in a moment of either weakness or bravery on my own part, I decide to follow it. I decide to find out more.
“Absolutely,” I say. “Lunch would be great.”
Again, I read her: What I’ve said is too enthusiastic. Justin is never enthusiastic.
“No big deal,” I add.
She’s relieved. Or, at least, as relieved as she’ll allow herself to be, which is a very guarded form of relief. By accessing, I know she and Justin have been together for over a year. That’s as specific as it gets. Justin doesn’t remember the exact date.
She reaches out and takes my hand. I am surprised by how good this feels.
“I’m glad you’re not mad at me,” she says. “I just want everything to be okay.”
I nod. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: We all want everything to be okay. We don’t even wish so much for fantastic or marvelous or outstanding. We will happily settle for okay, because most of the time, okay is enough.
The first bell rings.
“I’ll see you later,” I say.
Such a basic promise. But to Rhiannon, it means the world.
Anonymous
Posted September 8, 2012
I can only give this book four stars because I wanted more. A fast read but brought some new ideas and questions about life and our necessity to judge others. I loved this book and hope to see more about the character, A. The power 'he' held but decided to follow a more compassionate path made me love 'her' more.
12 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 9, 2012
I have never read a book that made me think about how much I take my everyday, consistant life for granted. This is a must read and I can't wait to experience it again and again.
10 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 17, 2012
Simply fantastic.
The book evokes questions about importance of love, future and what we are willing and able to do and give up for the significant other. Loved every word of this book!!!!! Can't wait for more :)
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 8, 2012
The characters seemed to crash into love without any development. I thought the writing was very choppy and too quickly paced. I guve it two stars because it was original, id never read a book a person who doesnt have their own body.
I also shouldve paid attention to the characters ages before purchasing this book.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 11, 2012
A Totally Exceptional Story!
I've added EVERY DAY by David Levithan to my top ten list of best reads ever. It fits nicely alongside Ken Grimwood's REPLAY, Audrey Niffenegger's THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, David Benioff's CITY OF THIEVES, and Gene Wolfe's PEACE. "A" wakes up each morning in someone else's body. That's the way life's always been. But then . . . Levithan seems to intuit the questions that arise as "A" finds his world grinding to a halt all because he falls in love. (Or is "A" a she? And does it really matter?) But the answers only lead to bigger questions. And heartbreaking decisions. Read this book. Then read it again.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 31, 2012
I bought Every Day the day it came out, I read the first page at the store and knew this was a definitely must read, it did not disappoint.
This book might have just easily have become one of my favourites, it's smartly written and put together, and the idea is very original. I fell for the characters and made a connection to each of them even thought they were all so different.
The book made me reconsider the most basic thing we all take for granted, waking up every morning in the same body being able to love and have those close to us every day, being able to make ties with people.
This book is gripping, beautiful, but broke my heart. There are just no words to say how much I honestly recommend this book.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 20, 2013
Some books are very well written, but have a poor plot line, and some books have an engaging plot but are poorly written. Very rarely I can find a book that is both enticing and well written.
Unfortunatly, this was not one of those books.
The book is intriguing and interesting to think about. I liked the idea of someone inhabiting a new body and having to adapt to a new life everyday, I just wish that there was more of a plot to the story. I feel like the author could have done something more to the story to create a bigger conflict and keep the story moving.
Overall, the story was a good read. I have always loved the books by Greene and It's a much better than most teen fiction. I am looking forward to the seqel. Hopefully, the author will add more twists and action!
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 18, 2013
The story is addictive but anxiety provoking because the protagonist is so alone. I kept looking for that "OH" moment when the essence or origin of the character's main issue would be explained. It never is and in the end I was left feeling unresolved and a bit sad.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 7, 2012
Best book I have read in a long time.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 2, 2013
This is the first that I have read by this author. Loved it but his others do not sound as interesting.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 8, 2013
kept me reading & wanting to read more when it was done
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 13, 2013
Is it a good book
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 30, 2013
I have to admot, this was nothingnlike Dash and Lily's Book Of Dares. This is much more serious, and to me was too fast and slow. A, meets his love too quickly and after that it's too slow for my liking. The ending though, was pretty good, it was a tad unexpected, but you get the hint. Overall not bad.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 6, 2013
I read this book within a day. And I cannot wait to reread it in the future, through an even deeper perspective. 'A' is the main character who falls in love with Rhiannon. While their romance starts abruptly, the book takes you on a thought-provoking, beautiful journey of life and love. While reading, take the time to ask yourself questions, and you will have a new viewpoint towards the end.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 6, 2013
This book explores the meaning of infatuation, trust, relationships and love. It may be written from a teen perspective, but the themes are universal.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 2, 2013
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1 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 5, 2012
I bought this book because after reading the synopsis, I couldn't remember ever reading anything like it. The story is compelling, and the character A 's pov is very original. Overall, a wonderful story...only wish it was longer....
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 23, 2012
I read 262 of the 322 pages of this book in one day. I couldn't stop because like our lives, the story is always rolling forward. Whether we, or A, likes it or not. With all of the bodies A possesses, it's easy to find one that you relate to, and gives what you feel or what you've thought some solid word and phrase. The ending leaves you breathless and furious for more but you totally understand why it ended this way. Just as A intended.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 5, 2012
This book grabbed me from the first page and it never stopped entertaining and moving me. This will be one of my favorite reads. Treat yourself!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 13, 2013
I'm really enjoying reading this, it's very thought provoking and interesting. I kind of hate the characters though and them falling in love seems completely implausible in the way the author does it. And I really disliked the somewhat preachy tone especially about judging gay people. I completely support gay rights but it felt like the author was pushing his thoughts on the audience. My favorite parts were not even when A was developing his/her relationship with Rhiannon but when he was dealing with the extreme issues some people face or even the everyday issues that everyone has to go through. An enjoyable read but one that doesn't necessarily leave you feeling uplifted.
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Overview
A has no friends. No parents. No family. No possessions. No home, even. Because every day, A wakes up in the body of a different person. Every morning, a different bed. A different room. A different house. A different life. A is able to access each person's memory, enough to be able to get through the day without parents, friends, and teachers realizing this is not their child, not their friend, not their student. Because it isn't. It's A. Inhabiting each person's body. Seeing the world through their eyes. ...