FlumeAward – Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List Discussion page for Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List.
Fans of "Nick & Norah’s Ultimate Playlist" will be drawn to this title, set in and around Washington Square Park & NYU as lifelong friends Naomi & Ely discover their friendship is not what either of them thought it was.
Naomi & Ely have grown up planning their wedding at different sites around the city & imagining their life together as adults, despite Ely being gay. Naomi loves Ely, Ely loves Naomi, but not THAT way. An awkward incident where Naomi caught Ely (a few years back) kissing her boyfriend, and a similar taste in guys has led to their "No Kiss List," a sure-fire way to avoid any drama or danger to their friendship. But now, with both at NYU things are changing. Naomi is avoiding going all the way with her current boyfriend, a nice, if boring guy, saving herself for Ely. Ely is working his way through the gay scene at NYU, oblivious that Naomi has romantic feelings for him. A lifetime of uber-close friendship & a casual intimacy between the two continues to boost Naomi’s hope for a future, cutting her off from other prospects. When Naomi’s current boyfriend makes a startling realization (both to himself & Ely), Naomi is furious & cuts off Ely, manipulating a younger boy in their apartment building who’s loved her for years, and entertaining thoughts of the hot new doorman, but ultimately avoiding anything real with either. Ely, cut adrift from his lifelong soulmate, makes discoveries about himself, his past actions, and ultimately, what his relationship with Naomi & others in his life have meant.
A great story, and portrait of an intimate & complex friendship, this book deals with all kinds of relationships, attraction, sexuality, maturity, & commitment. Fans of "Nick & Norah" will be happy to spot the reference midway through, first-time Cohn/Levithan won’t miss anything, and will be fine starting here. I enjoyed this book, even with Naomi’s tantrums & unrealistic expectations. A definite recommendation.
-Lucia, Wiggin Memorial Library, Stratham