Mitchell’s younger sister, Cassie, is significantly cooler than he is. He’s a geek, as is his best friend David. Juniors, they eat lunch together every day with the lower grades because they take an animation course during junior lunch period. Both good students, Mitchell decides that he doesn’t want to read The Grapes of Wrath and write a five page paper. Instead, he submits a Claymation project…on a book he never read. The results? Read Two Parties, One Tux, etc. etc. etc.

Meanwhile, junior prom is coming up. Cassie wants Mitchell to ask Amanda, who, she says, likes him. He’s not too thrilled with Amanda, though. Cassie wants David to ask M.C., Cassie’s best friend, who is at Cassie’s house more than her own, it seems. However, David has recently revealed to Mitchell that he (David) is gay. David doesn’t even want to go to the junior prom. Does he take M.C? Read Two Parties, One Tux, etc. etc. etc.

Meanwhile, again, Danielle, who Mitchell has fantasized about since forever, has broken up with her boyfriend, Ryan, and has begun talking to Mitchell. After he drives Danielle and her drunk friend, Nicole, home from a party one night (David nursed a Coke and Mitchell nursed a can of beer all night), Danielle decides Mitchell is the one for her. You and I both know when the cutest girl in school begins dating the school geek, something’s afoot. To find out what, read Two Parties, One Tux, etc. etc. etc.

Throughout all of this, Louis, the comic relief in an already comic book, has one liners galore, ranging from David and Mitchell’s sexual orientation, their intelligence and manliness. However, it is from this unexpected source that relief comes at some tense times. How can a boy who doesn’t remember what class he’s supposed to be in, come to the aid of some geeks? To find out what, read Two Parties, One Tux, etc. etc. etc.

Every guy has been through what Mitchell goes through (except one instance at the prom which you need to read about) and we can relate to fantasizing about the cute girl or lack of experience or standing on the sidelines at parties. What makes Two Parties, One Tux, etc. etc. etc. unique is the characters, all of whom are fun and real, from overbearing Danielle to backward Mitchell. The situations, although a little farfetched, are comic, from the Claymation project to Mitchell’s haircut (at Cassie and M.C.’s urging) to his renting his prom tuxedo. The writing is good. The teacher’s are odd, as are most teachers, right? Mitchell’s description of home-cooked dinners is priceless. Other than the fact I’m writing this in November, I’d say that this is a great beach read. So, rather, get some popcorn and a can of coke, sprawl out on the couch, prop up your head and feet and have a fun time. Although, it won’t make you want to read The Grapes of Wrath, Two Parties, One Tux and a Very Short Film About the Grapes of Wrath, will make you want to read Steven Goldman’s next book when it is issued.

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