Today I'm reviewing March's book for my virtual book club, Read Discuss Repeat! I managed to finish it on March 31st, cutting it quite close this time! I couldn't join the chats on Wiggio but I'm hoping I'll be able to for April's book! The best thing about a book club is reading those books you might have wondered about but didn't try before and even some books that are not your usual read.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was March's book for my virtual book club (Read Discuss Repeat) and I was quite pleased when it was selected cause I had thought of reading it, but wasn't sure about it. This was the right push, and boy am I glad that I read it.
This book is a wonderful and lyrical coming of age story. Two boys growing up, discovering who they are, forging a friendship and discovering how to deal with who they are.
This is not only the story that any guy having doubts about his own self and his own sexuality should read, it is also a book anyone that ever wondered who they really are and what defines who they are would want to read.
Both Ari and Dante and fantastic characters, very different, very real and have you rooting for them since page one. I also loved how present their parents are. Their families don't need to be perfect because they all have to work through things, but they are together and want to help each other, and even if it hurts, in the end they find a way to communicate.
Ari is the one that has the hardest road to walk, because he seems to be the one that is harder on himself and has more silence around him at home. His mother is a wonderful character that is always trying to reach his fifteen year old son and that worries about him in a way that he can't fully understand.
Dante might have a different fight ahead of himself, but he seem to accept himself as he is more easily than Ari does. He becomes Ari's best friend and the one that helps him get out of himself for the first time.
A wonderful book that made me cry rivers but also left me with a truly wonderful feeling. Very much recommended and easily a 4.5 to 5 stars read!
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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire SáenzMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was March's book for my virtual book club (Read Discuss Repeat) and I was quite pleased when it was selected cause I had thought of reading it, but wasn't sure about it. This was the right push, and boy am I glad that I read it.
This book is a wonderful and lyrical coming of age story. Two boys growing up, discovering who they are, forging a friendship and discovering how to deal with who they are.
This is not only the story that any guy having doubts about his own self and his own sexuality should read, it is also a book anyone that ever wondered who they really are and what defines who they are would want to read.
Both Ari and Dante and fantastic characters, very different, very real and have you rooting for them since page one. I also loved how present their parents are. Their families don't need to be perfect because they all have to work through things, but they are together and want to help each other, and even if it hurts, in the end they find a way to communicate.
Ari is the one that has the hardest road to walk, because he seems to be the one that is harder on himself and has more silence around him at home. His mother is a wonderful character that is always trying to reach his fifteen year old son and that worries about him in a way that he can't fully understand.
Dante might have a different fight ahead of himself, but he seem to accept himself as he is more easily than Ari does. He becomes Ari's best friend and the one that helps him get out of himself for the first time.
A wonderful book that made me cry rivers but also left me with a truly wonderful feeling. Very much recommended and easily a 4.5 to 5 stars read!
View all my reviews
Sounds lovely, I adore books that have great character development. Coming of age stories are classic. Thanks for sharing this lovely LGBT read, Pili!
ReplyDeleteJeann @ Happy Indulgence
Thank you, Jeann! This was a fantastic book!
DeleteIt's my first time to comment on this blog and I'm glad it's on a spectacular book! I'm glad this one moved you to tears, Pili; books that are so moving like this one are far and few between. With so many so-so out there right now, it's always awesome to find a diamond in a haystack. And it's LGBT too! That's always a plus. We need books like this that remind us that despite our sexual preferences, in the end, we are all human and we feel the same feelings, confusion, and frustration just like the rest of the people.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
Faye at The Social Potato Reviews
Thank you for visiting my blog, Faye!
DeleteI'm glad that there are more and more LGBT books out there that helps us all remind each other that love and feelings have no race, religion, colour or gender!
This is one book that I'd recommend to anyone and everyone, and one that I wished a gay friend of mine could have read when he was younger and having issues accepting himself!
I'm so thrilled that this worked for you! I was completely impressed with it, and fell in love with Ari and Dante's story straight away. It makes me happy to see others appreciating it too. :) Fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sam! When you told me you had loved it, I was sure I was gonna like it, but not only that, I loved it, what a book!
DeleteYay Pili! I love when I step outside my normal reading comfort zone and am rewarded with an amazing story that makes me realize I should maybe step outside that zone more often ;-) I've heard such great things about this book, and I'm glad that even though this book made you cry, it left you warm and satisfied. I love to cry while reading, but only if there's an HEA or the like waiting for me at the end of it all. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenny! This was such a fantastic book! I really recommend it!
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