Denis Cooverman wanted to say something really important in his high school graduation speech. So, in front of his 512 classmates and their 3,000 relatives, he announced: ""I love you, Beth Cooper.""
It would have been such a sweet, romantic moment. Except that Beth, the head cheerleader, has only the vaguest idea who Denis is. And Denis, the captain of the debate team, is so far out of her league he is barely even the same species. And then there's Kevin, Beth's remarkably large boyfriend, who's in town on furlough from the United States Army. Complications ensue.
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"I laughed so, so hard with this one. Doyle takes so many of the tropes of high school graduation night and turns them on their ears. I haven't seen the movie yet, and part of me is terrified that this will be one that will get ruined by the very genre cliches it mocks. "
— Christina (5 out of 5 stars)
“Wickedly funny…When Doyle nails it, he’s hilarious…Denis and Beth are both rendered with sensitivity and depth. Doyle is especially good at revealing what lies in the heart of the Popular Girl.”
— New York Times Book Review“Hilarious…Doyle, a former Simpsons writer, keeps this entertaining novel moving at a clip but never forgets that humor needs heart, too. Grade: A.”
— Entertainment Weekly“The jokes come thick and fast…hilarious. American Pie meets Mean Girls.”
— Guardian (London)" Hhave really enjoyed this book. Brought back some of the angst, horror and humor of high school; and since I am a pop culture junkie, I appreciated the quotes beginning each chapter from films. A genuinely funny look back at HS. "
— Cindy, 2/20/2014" It was an okay read... "
— Damon, 2/12/2014" The third and last of the "funniest books," and it wins the prize of funniest of all. I did finally laugh out loud at the exploits of a boy on the memorable day of his high school graduation. "
— Doneen, 2/11/2014" Funny, kind of sweet, very enjoyable. "
— Tricia, 1/23/2014" Funny frothy combo of just about every teen movie cliche you can imagine. Like the Anthony Michael-Hall character in "Sixteen Candles" has a crush on one of the Heathers and hangs out with Ferris Bueller's sidekick as they try to avoid a run-in with the big brother from "Weird Science." It felt to me like this book should have been set in the 80s - it almost read like it had been set in the 80s (especially some of the musical and cultural references) until some editor forced the author to add in iPods and cell phones to make it more current. Still - enjoyable in a light funny way. I'm curious about the movie now. "
— Kevin, 1/19/2014" I did enjoy this book, but I have to disagree with the book jackets reviews talking about it being funnier than American Graffiti. Denis is juuuust a smidge too whiny for this redhead, but I actually liked his friend Rich, and I thought Beth Cooper and her friends were fairly realistic... "
— Susan, 1/9/2014" totally entertaining "
— Eden, 1/8/2014" This book is funny and sweet, in almost equal proportions. I found myself not quite buying in to the voice for the first thirty pages or so, but then I realized that I was hooked and couldn't let it go. "
— Jeremy, 1/5/2014" Ridiculous, funny, light, story of a budding highschool Mensa club member written by someone who used to write for the Simpsons. "
— Matt, 12/17/2013" Very funny - quick read "
— Fiona, 12/10/2013" Entertaining tale of a high school nerd and the consequences of his valedictory speech declaring his love for the title character. "
— Donkey21, 12/2/2013" I loved "I Love You, Beth Cooper"! "
— Morgan, 11/23/2013" Loved, loved, loved this book! As a very normal person who went through her own period of high school awkwardness, I *kinda* felt this guy's pain, but dang! This book was a very exciting rollercoaster ride. Very well-written. "
— Zenzibell, 11/5/2013" Not really my cup of tea. Funny, I guess, but a little too over the top. "
— Joshua, 10/7/2013" hayden paniterre ruined 'beth cooper' for me. definitely had its funny moments, but not my type of book. did that all really happen in one night?! "
— jessie, 8/24/2013" Ugh... juvenile and worse yet, boring! Couldn't get much past page 50! Moving on! "
— Mari, 4/26/2013" Too bad they turned it into a shitty movie - it could have been awesome. "
— Kari, 12/4/2012" This book made me laugh, often multiple times per page. You should laugh more. You should read this book. It's extremely quick to read, and completely worth reverting back to high school for a few hours. "
— Andrew, 9/13/2012" I laughed/cried so much I was sore. I loved this book and was horrified that they made a movie out of it. One of the funniest reads I have ever read. Gotta love the Simpsons! "
— Jennifer, 9/7/2012" I enjoyed this book. It was a treasured gift otherwise I probably would not have read it. I'm in my mid-40's and I think I didn't totally get the whole teenage/graduation scene. I did appreciate the idea of for once saying what you want, leaving your comfort zone, and seeing where it leads you. "
— 10000books, 8/31/2012" It just wasn't really my thing. It 's like American Pie, maybe you thought the movie was funny but would you want to read the book? "
— Casey, 8/13/2012" Highly overrated. I had very high hopes what with the SNL connections and all of the positive comments from entertainment weekly, New York Times etc. Ehhh. Finished it very quickly, but really wasn't that entertained. "
— Catherine, 6/20/2012" Super Bad meets American Pie "
— Danielle, 5/31/2012" I originally rated this as a 2, but upgraded it to a 3 because it made me laugh out loud. The author has a devastating ear for onomatopoetic description. This book was read in 1.5 sittings from the library-- free and uninterrupted is probably the best way to go. "
— Zach, 10/6/2011" Funny and clever, but I don't care for the "stream of consciousness" style writing. Too comic-booky for me. "
— Amy, 5/12/2011" I loved the movie quotes at the start of each chapter. This book was fairly fast-paced and a quick read. "
— Erin, 5/7/2011" I actually read an uncorrected proof of this... that I had for some reason. "
— Erin, 5/5/2011" This is one time when I think i'm going to say the movie is better than the book. I say this, because the book is the perfect forumula for a whacky teen movie. sometimes the book went on a bit, but it was still good. Now i will sit tight for the movie to come out! "
— Misha, 4/25/2011" Too full of pop references that will be long forgotten in another 10 years. A decent story, pretty realistic to how real teen life is with maybe a little more excitement than normal. "
— Juniper, 4/1/2011" absolutely hilarious one liners, but that was the extent of it "
— Shana, 3/26/2011" Loved this book! Funny funny and quite well written. "
— Lori, 2/16/2011" The movie was awesome but the book is exceptional :) "
— Gale, 2/15/2011Larry Doyle, a former writer for The Simpsons, works in show biz, and writes funny things for the New Yorker. He goes by thelarrydoyle on Facebook, Twitter, and in real life. Too much information about him is available at larrydoyle.com. He lives outside Baltimore with his wife, Becky, their three children, and one dog—until it dies, and then no more dogs, according to his wife.