I didn't much care for this book. The humor didn't appeal to me, but I could tell it was based off all the teen romantic comedies you see at the movies. Of course, I don't care for those either, which explains my feelings about the book. If you like that type of film, you'll likely enjoy this as well. Anyway, I did manage to finish it, and it wasn't horrible, it just wasn't suited to my taste in books. ( )

This book is wonderfully outlandish. Just trying to image a person going through everything that Denis Cooverman goes through on the night of his high school graduation is enough to make me laugh. Very funny, and sentimental as it made me reflect on my own high school experience. ( )

Reminiscent of "Can't Hardly Wait" (one of my personal favorite movies staring Ethan Embry), this is the story of one teens experiences at the end of high school. Denis Cooverman has always been a geek. For as long as he can remember he has been the butt of every joke, getting swirlies in between classes and practical jokes played on him ever day. Denis knows that he wants to be remembered differently, he wants to make his mark on Buffalo Grove High School class of 2007. So in his valedictorian speech at graduation, Dennis confesses his long time love for head cheerleader and most popular and beautiful girl in school, Beth Cooper.As you can guess hilarity ensues when Beth Cooper's army thug boyfriend happens to be home on leave and consequently uses Dennis's face as a punching bag. The story all takes place int he 24 hours after his famous confession, which turns out to be the most interesting 24 hours of Dennis Cooverman's life.This is classified as an adult book but I would say judging by the font size, illustrations and hilarious movie quotes that this is secretly meant to be marketed to teens. The only thing keeping it off high school shelves may be the language and several "sexual situations" although Dennis starts and ends high school as a tragic virgin. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. ( )

Basic Overview
I Love You, Beth Cooper is the literary equivalent of watching a John Hughes movie or a classic John Cusack as a teenager-in-love movie (think Say Anything). The book chronicles one wacky night (graduation night, no less) in the life of Denis Cooverman, who gets the ball rolling when he declares his love for the uber-popular and out-of-his-league Beth Cooper during his valedictorian speech. And what kind of people are valedictorians? Nerds. The book offers the classic "nerd declares love for girl - girl plays with nerd for entertainment purposes - nerd is hounded and attacked by girl's extremely large and lethal Army boyfriend - nerd realizes there is more to girl that meets the eye - girl realizes nerd is not so bad after all" story.

My Thoughts
This is a fast, funny, incredibly amusing read. I loved this book and was basically giggling throughout. Doyle takes all the cliches of every teen movie you've ever seen and gives them a unique spin of his own. Unless you've never been to high school, never seen a teen movie, or have no sense of humor, I can't see why you wouldn't totally enjoy this book. Grade = A+

About the Author
Larry Doyle is a former writer for The Simpsons, works in showbiz and writes funny things for The New Yorker. He lives outside Baltimore with his wife Becky and their three kids. And you gotta love an author who uses his high school photo on the book jacket. If you get the version of the book that I got (the P.S. version), you also get extra special bonuses like Doyle's memoir on How to Become A Simpsons Writer in Only 26 Years, A Rude Interview With The Author Conducted By The Author, and Selections from the I Love You, Beth Cooper Agony/Ecstasy Contest. Be sure to get this version as the extras are TOTALLY worth it! ( )

The premise of I Love You, Beth Cooper sounded fun and didn't disappoint.

Denis Cooverman decides as he is making his high school valedictorian speech, that it is now or never to declare his love for the very popular head cheerleader Beth Cooper. He has loved her from afar for five years. Well not too far, he has sat behind her in almost every class for five years. But as captain of the debate team, they don't run in the same circles. Or even walk.

I was laughing out loud in the first ten pages. Larry Doyle is very funny. (He has written for The Simpsons television show)

Beth decides to let Denis know that although she found his declaration embarrassing, it was kind of sweet. Beth's boyfriend, home on leave from the army, isn't too thrilled with Denis's announcement or Beth's talking to him. Denis and his best friend Rich, who can't stop spouting movie lines, host a grad party in the hopes Beth and her cool friends might come. Things don't go entirely as Denis had imagined. The real Beth isn't quite what Denis has fantasized for the last five years. The entire book takes place on graduation night. Think McLovin and friends from the movie Superbad. Or think of your own high school days and grad night.....

Doyle's debut novel kept me chuckling the entire way. This perennial edition from Harper Collins also includes some extras, including entries from the I Love You, Beth Cooper Agony/Ecstasy Contest. ( )