The Kabbalah of Young-Adult Literature

Not to get too self-promulgating, but if you’re in New York, show up at the New York Public Library, Jefferson Market Branch in the West Village tonight — I’ll be reading from my new novel Losers, and a host of other people will be appearing, including Coe Booth, whose book Tyrell the New York Times couldn’t get enough of, and David Levithan, who wrote this little movie about two kids and an infinite playlist.

david levithan and michael cera, bff

It probably isn’t the first movie ever to give the definition of tikkun olam, but it is the first to do it at an emotional high point that’s riveting and gushing and that makes you feel like you just fell in love. Or, at least, got a maddening crush that fills your skull and flushes out every other thought.

NORAH (letting down her guard): One of the best things about Judaism is called tikkun olam. It’s the idea that the world has been broken in pieces, and it’s up to us to gather them and put them back together.

NICK: Maybe we’re the pieces.

Anyway — there you go. Kabbalah, Hassidus, and movie stars. And me. The action starts at 6:00….

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