Love and Other Perishable Items is an intelligent, witty, and honest book about love and struggling to understand one's place in the universe. Amelia is a smart high school sophomore who connects intellectually very well with the older Chris. Because of their ages, a romance between them seems so out of the question that they instead build a friendship that could very well become the solid foundation of a future relationship. The story alternates between Amelia's point of view and Chris's diary entries, clearly illustrating the two very different life places in which the main characters reside. Wide-eyed Amelia is just beginning to see life and strives for an ounce of control in her environment, while the more worldly and less mature Chris is struggling to find his post-college path. Chris drinks heavily, occasionally uses drugs, and chases other women in his quest to forget an old girlfriend. There are sexual encounters between some of the older characters in the book. Amelia has her first experiences with alcohol and making out. Language is strong at times (b-tch, sh-t, f--k, b-stard, do-che). Literature fans will enjoy the smart banter about classic books, particularly The Great Gatsby and Great Expectations. This is a fast-paced, smart, and funny read that will appeal to fans of intelligent romance. A romantic relationship between the two main characters seems so preposterous that the reader has no idea how this little story can possibly resolve well, and yet the author finishes up with a very satisfying ending.
