How They Met and Other Stories

by David Levithan

Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes a confection from David Levithan that is sure to have fans of Boy Meets Boy eager to devour it. Here are 18 stories, all about love, all kinds of love. From the aching for the one you pine for, to standing up and speaking up for the one you love, to pure joy and happiness, these love stories run the gamut of that emotion that at some point has turned every one of us inside out and upside down.

What is love? With this original story collection, David Levithan proves that love is a many splendored thing, a varied, complicated, addictive, wonderful thing.

• ISBN10: 037584323X
• ISBN13: 9780375843235
• Publish Date: 22 December 2009 (first published 31 December 2007)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 13 May 2015
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Alfred A. Knopf
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 256
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780375843235

Reviews

[mary]

This was a fast short read, filled with a wide variety of love stories. The stories range from witty, sad, and charming, so there is no shortage of finding a story that suits the reader. How They Met And Other Stories is a perfect short novel that speaks of love, heartbreak, moving on, hope and memories. One of my favorite passages perfectly sums up love:

"Love doesn’t have to be on Valentine’s Day. It doesn’t have to be by the time you turn eighteen or thirty-three or fifty-nine. It doesn’t have to conform to whatever is usual. It doesn’t have to be kismet at once, or rhapsody by the third day.

It just has to be. In time. In place. In spirt.

It just has to be."

What I love about short stories and this book is that I was able to pick it up when I needed a break from studying or work and not have to be so invested into the story. Also every story had its own unique element that set it apart from the rest, so it never felt like I was reading the same romantic story over and over again. Overall, a quick and fun read.

[Jo]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

It's no surprise that I'm a huge fan of David Levithan. No surprise that  would want to read How They Met. I've not read many short story collections or anthologies, short stories aren't something that generally appeals to me, but expecting Levithan's usual style of beautiful turns of phrase, I was sure I would love How They Met. And I wasn't wrong!

How They Met consists of 18 short stories about love. As Levithan says in the Author's Note, these aren't love stories. The usual connotation of "love story" is a story with a happy ending, and with these stories, that's not always the case. There's heartache, break-ups, realisations and epiphanies about relationships, beginnings, ends, middles, and everything in between.

What I love most about these stories are most are told in first person, and for a while, you're unsure of the gender of the narrator. You find out eventually, but until you do, you're not aware of whether the story is an LGBTQ story or a heterosexual story. Yes, there are both. I love this because it means you relate to the feelings straight away, each story is universal for the get go, and continues - no matter the readers sexuality - when you find out the sexuality of the characters. It's awesome! I'm going to talk a little about my favourite short stories.

The Number of People Who Meet on Airplanes - This is the story of a relationship between a straight couple who meet on an aeroplane... but not all is what it seems. It's beautiful and romantic, and has this almost purposeful butterfly effect element. It also shows how wonderful strangers can be.

Flirting With Waiters - A sweet, sweet story of a young girl with a crush on a waiter. I love the point to this story. It's not earth-shaking, it simply shows how wonderful the small things can be.

Princes - A great story! Although there is a romantic love element, this story, for me, is more about familial love. Acceptance. Hope. It's just amazing!

Skipping the Prom - This story is simply beautiful. There is nothing else to say.

Without Saying - Two stories in one, and yet, really, just one universal story. Great use of second tense for one. One of those thought-provoking ones. I rather think he's wrong in this one, at one point, but he still gets me thinking.

Memory Dance - Oh my god! This story brought tears to my eyes. Absolutely the most gorgeous story in the whole collection. This is a story that fills me with hope. You need to read it for yourself. Then you will understand.

Such a fantastic collection of stories, so completely beautiful. I absolutely loved it! I think you will, too.

Thank you to Electric Monkey for the review copy.

[Kelly]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/02/how-they-met-and-other-stories-by-david.html
In a series of charming, witty, intelligent and even sad stories, David Levithan has created a little something for everyone. Whether it be how a couple had met, the point in which they realised they were in love, or the ending of a relationship, each story is unique, with most of being able to relate in one way or another.

Whether you're straight, gay or just love love, you'll love reading the intimate stories of those first awkward moments of meeting who may just be the love of your life.