"Love and Other Perishable Items" Review

Book: Love and Other Perishable Items

Author: Laura Buzo

Format: E-book

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (December 11, 2012)

My Rating:  ★★★

Synopsis: From the moment Amelia sets eyes on Chris, she is a goner. Lost. Sunk. Head over heels infatuated with him. It's problematic, since Chris, 21, is a sophisticated university student, while Amelia, 15, is 15.

Amelia isn't stupid. She knows it's not gonna happen. So she plays it cool around Chris—at least, as cool as she can. Working checkout together at the local supermarket, they strike up a friendship: swapping life stories, bantering about everything from classic books to B movies, and cataloging the many injustices of growing up. As time goes on, Amelia's crush doesn't seem so one-sided anymore. But if Chris likes her back, what then? Can two people in such different places in life really be together?

Through a year of befuddling firsts—first love, first job, first party, and first hangover—debut author Laura Buzo shows how the things that break your heart can still crack you up.

      So I liked this book but it wasn't anything special or exceptional; I can really relate to it is all. Everyone has an unattainable crush that they know will never be theirs for a whole slew of reasons such as a large age gap, they are celebrities, different social circles, etc. That is what makes this book relatable, the concept of trying to get those who should be off limits.
      Now the story itself really wasn't that great and the plot seemed to go nowhere, but the connection to Amelia is very strong.
      One thing I enjoyed about this book is the social issues the book sheds life to, like business hierarchy and feminism.

RELATABLE QUOTES:
      "I wasn't use to boys at all, let alone grown-up ones with university essays to write and incredible charisma. So, so far out of my depth." -Amelia
      "I stare out o classroom window, wondering what he is doing. I imagine him at university, taking lecture notes, hanging out with hi friends at the uni bar, putting in his two cents' worth at the sociology seminar he loves. And, of course, talking to girls. Grown-up girls at university. Girls who can go drinking with him after class. Girl his own age who he could confidently introduce to his family and friends. Girls who know how to dress and wear makeup. Girls who have had sex. Girls w study the same texts as him. Girls who stand a chance in hell."  -Amelia
   [If that isn't relatable, I don't know what is.]
      "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well."  -Chris

      Overall it was okay.