bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't heard of most of the authors in this collection so when I ran across an author name I recognized, I found it delightful to learn more about her past.
When you read a collection of short stories by various authors, not all will resonate with you. That sentiment is true in this collection. Still, a fun read.
When you read a collection of short stories by various authors, not all will resonate with you. That sentiment is true in this collection. Still, a fun read.
karak's review against another edition
4.0
Quick essays from various writers on who their first crush was. Some were more easy to relate to than others, but overall, it was a good read. Everyone remembers their first crush, hopefully fondly!
abetterbradley's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up for the David Levithan essay but stayed for the bittersweet collection of biographical essays concerning crushes and how they affected the writer.
lbw's review
4.0
I enjoyed finding out how all the contributors interpreted the ideas "crush" and "first love." This book was delightful.
themaddiest's review
3.0
In this collection of short stories from editor Andrea Richesin, 26 authors revisit their own lives to tell a story about the first time that they fell in love. Readers looking for a nostalgic trip down memory lane back to their teenage bedrooms and high schools and summers will find a kindred spirit in this book about first love and first heartbreak. These stories examine what it means to fall in love, have a crush, and be crushed by love.
This anthology of short stories from some very notable authors is funny, sad, and compelling. What’s great about an anthology like this is that each author has a distinctive voice made even more unique by the fact that they are writing about their own life. Each story about first love or first crush offers a great deal of insight into the individual author, but each of these stories also has something universal to offer. Everyone falls in love or can remember the bittersweet feeling of a first crush, and therefore there is something present in each of these stories to connect with.
Although all of the stories in the anthology are good in their own right, there were several that stood out for me in particular. Daria Snadowsky’s story about falling in love with Sir Anthony Hopkins (yes, the actor) and writing to him was funny and a little heartbreaking. The concept of a celebrity crush gets explored fully in her story, and it’s something that I can absolutely relate to (although I never wrote him a letter, I was convinced that I was going to marry Taylor Hanson for the better part of junior high).
There is nothing more consuming than that first love, and these authors capture the feelings and emotions that come along with that momentous event in a person’s life. This anthology is full of unique stories about first love that still remain universal. It’s a book that can be read in one sitting or can be read slowly, one story at a time, over a period of time.
Other stories of particular note are by Jacquelyn Mitchard, Lauren Oliver, and David Levithan. Each one is great in its own right, offering insight into what it means to fall in love and why we subject ourselves to it. Fans of YA might be particularly interested in this anthology because of its focus on young love. Recommended.
Crush hits bookshelves on May 24, 2011.
Crush: 26 Real-Life Tales of First Love by Andrea Richesin et al. Harlequin: 2011. Electronic galley accepted for review.
This anthology of short stories from some very notable authors is funny, sad, and compelling. What’s great about an anthology like this is that each author has a distinctive voice made even more unique by the fact that they are writing about their own life. Each story about first love or first crush offers a great deal of insight into the individual author, but each of these stories also has something universal to offer. Everyone falls in love or can remember the bittersweet feeling of a first crush, and therefore there is something present in each of these stories to connect with.
Although all of the stories in the anthology are good in their own right, there were several that stood out for me in particular. Daria Snadowsky’s story about falling in love with Sir Anthony Hopkins (yes, the actor) and writing to him was funny and a little heartbreaking. The concept of a celebrity crush gets explored fully in her story, and it’s something that I can absolutely relate to (although I never wrote him a letter, I was convinced that I was going to marry Taylor Hanson for the better part of junior high).
There is nothing more consuming than that first love, and these authors capture the feelings and emotions that come along with that momentous event in a person’s life. This anthology is full of unique stories about first love that still remain universal. It’s a book that can be read in one sitting or can be read slowly, one story at a time, over a period of time.
Other stories of particular note are by Jacquelyn Mitchard, Lauren Oliver, and David Levithan. Each one is great in its own right, offering insight into what it means to fall in love and why we subject ourselves to it. Fans of YA might be particularly interested in this anthology because of its focus on young love. Recommended.
Crush hits bookshelves on May 24, 2011.
Crush: 26 Real-Life Tales of First Love by Andrea Richesin et al. Harlequin: 2011. Electronic galley accepted for review.
mgt48's review
5.0
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While reading Crush:26 Real-Life Tales of First Love the anthology about crushes-obviously- by Andrea n. Richesin I felt nostalgic for something that I feel like I have no right to feel nostalgic for. I make it quite plain all the time that I’m not a fan of the cheesy commercialize version of love. Or sappy Romantic Comedies were the girl always gets her guy or vice versa,I like love stories that have a twist maybe that why I enjoyed Crush so much
I honestly don't believe I’ve ever been in love with anyone other then family or with friends where everything was completely platonic. While reading Crush I wished that I had though,throughout this book I kept thinking back to my previous crushes and smiling or most oftenly sighing at what could have happened if I wasn't so shy. The book is compromised of 26 essays/stories of authors first loves/crushes. Some were pretty interesting while others not so much. They all though are about sharing a personal story about a moment that changed them forever.
Some of the stories were sweet and fun as seen in Laured Oliver's story,then there was some slightly obsessive love for a celebrity “To Sir Anthony,With Love”and even some borderline obsessive stalker behavior in the “Uncle” Greg story by Heather Swain which made me laugh out loud the whole time. It also was interesting to see how the perspective of a story changed and meant two completely different thing when retold.
My favorite story would have to be “The Boy in the White VW Bug” which made me smile the whole time. Then there was When it was all Brand by Rebecca Walker her story was raw honest and compelling I thought about days after reading. Another story that I thought about days after and reread was “What I Kept” by Jacquelyn M told the story of a pure young love that I doubt is still in existence any more and that makes me sad because her story is heart-warming and I wish people where still like that. Each story deserves a different rating but as a whole Crush is wonderful and will fill you with nostalgia and longing for your first love/crush.5/5
While reading Crush:26 Real-Life Tales of First Love the anthology about crushes-obviously- by Andrea n. Richesin I felt nostalgic for something that I feel like I have no right to feel nostalgic for. I make it quite plain all the time that I’m not a fan of the cheesy commercialize version of love. Or sappy Romantic Comedies were the girl always gets her guy or vice versa,I like love stories that have a twist maybe that why I enjoyed Crush so much
I honestly don't believe I’ve ever been in love with anyone other then family or with friends where everything was completely platonic. While reading Crush I wished that I had though,throughout this book I kept thinking back to my previous crushes and smiling or most oftenly sighing at what could have happened if I wasn't so shy. The book is compromised of 26 essays/stories of authors first loves/crushes. Some were pretty interesting while others not so much. They all though are about sharing a personal story about a moment that changed them forever.
Some of the stories were sweet and fun as seen in Laured Oliver's story,then there was some slightly obsessive love for a celebrity “To Sir Anthony,With Love”and even some borderline obsessive stalker behavior in the “Uncle” Greg story by Heather Swain which made me laugh out loud the whole time. It also was interesting to see how the perspective of a story changed and meant two completely different thing when retold.
My favorite story would have to be “The Boy in the White VW Bug” which made me smile the whole time. Then there was When it was all Brand by Rebecca Walker her story was raw honest and compelling I thought about days after reading. Another story that I thought about days after and reread was “What I Kept” by Jacquelyn M told the story of a pure young love that I doubt is still in existence any more and that makes me sad because her story is heart-warming and I wish people where still like that. Each story deserves a different rating but as a whole Crush is wonderful and will fill you with nostalgia and longing for your first love/crush.5/5
christiana's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this collection of essays on crushes. Although there is a little bit of overlap (a couple people had summer vacation flings at 19 or some variation of that), but I was actually really surprised at all the different avenues a first crush could take: obsession with a celebrity, starter marriage, the idea that a crush means saying no to other options. I really liked it and found myself wanting to talk to other people about it, even if it meant explaining the entire essay first.
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