Young Adult Book Reading Challenges discussion

For those reading along, what are your first thoughts reading the book?

I haven't gotten too far into it, but I am definitely interested in Norah's character. I am also amused by her perception of her family and their relationship with Caroline. And I totally want to go see a show right now.. it's been too long!

I read this book in anticipation of the movie coming out in theaters, which I then missed. I think I didn't want to be let down in case it wasn't as good as the book.

I had just read Flipped and thought another example of boy-girl narration would bother me, but it didn't. I did think, Whoa! These books are both shelved in Young Adult, but I'd be comfortable with an average 13-year-old reading one (F) and not the other (N&NIP). The swearing didn't bother me, but I went to public school starting with 7th grade :-\

I also didn't like the constant swearing and I work in a public high school. However, I know that is me. I think some swearing would be appropriate to the scene, as in I have gone to a ton of shows where they swear a lot, but it was definitely in excess. I also thought the sex part was overdone for a teen audience. A little too much and a little too detailed in some areas, but again, that's just me.

To clarify, I actually went to 7th and 8th grade in the town Vicki lives in! Not a lot of swearing there, that I can I remember. Then moved to Los Angeles, where I went to high school. I know it's not the NY hipster/emo/music scene, but we swear a lot here, too.

I'm not that far yet but I like the back and forth between Nick and Norah. Being that I'm not a teenager the swears words don't bother me at all. I actually think if they weren't there the feel of the book wouldn't be what the authors were looking for.

I won't be starting the book till the middle of the month!

i actually read this a few months ago. i thought the profanity was excessive - and a several times in the early going i thought maybe i'd quit reading because of that. in the end i stuck with it, and, fortunately, it's not the swearing that has stuck with me over the months since i read the book.

I'm with you Nikki. I really like how the story switches between Nick & Norah narrating. I don't mind the swearing either. It adds to the story.

If there wasn't ANY swearing it wouldn'tve been a teenage novel. Plus, the kids it uses as characters..they stereotypically curse alot. And I like books that switch Narrators..

I like the switching of narrator's then I get both views which is quite exciting.

I also grew up pretty sheltered (private catholic school all the way) and whilst there are bits of profanity, I was at the beginning shocked as to how much it's being used but then again I know out there somewhere, it's 'normal'. If you get pass the swearing though, I like the story.

What age do you think this book was written? The reason I am asking is my daughter who is 12 just read it. I asked her if the swearing bothered her, but she was okay with it. I haven't actually read it as I read The Wednesday Wars.

i wouldn't let my 12yo read it. but i do try to "shelter" her a little. :) she did read The Wednesday Wars though (which i haven't gotten to yet).

based on the profanity and the sexuality, i'd probably say at least 14 and up for Nick & Norah.

Sadly I only got around to reading it last night, but I couldn't put it down until five this morning, when I finished it.

I think this was a splendid book! I'm sad that there isn't a sequel. I don't think Nick and Norah's story is anywhere near finished. They've only known each other for about 6 hours.

Not, I agree, I kind of like to see where they were at a few months down the line at least.

Yes, exactly. Do they ever come to like Where's Fluffy again? And what do their friends have to say about this? And their parents, as well...

I disagree. I'm glad there is no sequel. I love the book with all my heart and I'd be way too afraid that a sequel would ruin it for me (I'm also very unsure about watching the movie). I have no doubt that Rachel and David would come up with a great sequel but I really like how it's just a tiny snippet from Nick and Norah's life. Maybe I'm also too scared that things could end up badly between them :/

Just started reading it last night and so far I love how it reads so real. Like I really feel like this is a teen book. Some things I have had to look up like Emo, but that is what I love about it!

Like everyone else, I agree that this book was a bit over-the-top with cussing.
I agree with Spooky. I love the book how it is, how you don't know what's going to happen. A sequel would definitely ruin it. I doubt it could live up to my expectations.

I think a lot of teens curse all the time. At least my friends and I did. That is one of the things I think makes it a little more real.

I'm taking a college class right now and boy, do they curse. And not very well, either. I think you've got to curse quite a lot, and well into your twenties, before you get how to curse fluently. Teens are still thinking quantity over quality. Me, I can admire a well-placed F-bomb, especially from someone who doesn't use it often. It's a special event.

Yea I remember as a teen we cursed non-stop. Now I don't curse like that (only when it's needed). I love how the title of some of the songs in the book are curse words!

I didn't see anywhere to put my final thoughts so I am going to put them here. I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of the few all nighters I had as a teen. Crazy times! It is amazing now that I could even go all night without falling asleep on my feet. I remember having that crush in high school and I just loved the guy! Though he never loved me back, and Tal and Tris reminds me of that.

I wish there was more Young Adults participating. I would like to know what they think of the swearing. It seems most of us who read it are past high school and do not like the swearing. I didn't mind it but like I said before my friends and I cursed non-stop. And the sexuality didn't bother me either. I went to public high school and people were having sex left and right. I do kinda wish that protection would've been mentioned somewhere... STDs!

This book is so fun, I just wished I was there with them. I can't wait to see the movie!

The DVD comes out in the US next Tuesday... I'm so getting it! I heart Michael Cera.

I'm not sure whether I'm counted as a young adult at the age of 20 but I didn't mind the cursing. I noticed that there was a lot of it and I don't experience that around my friends (but surely around some other people my age) but it didn't put me off. I loved the book an awful lot nevertheless.

the way they talked kinda bothered me and at the beginning, i was kinda lost but i started to like nick and norah

nick bothered me though because i just couldn't see michael cera playing him through the whole book