Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Aristotle and Dante, #1) in Around the Year in 52 Books

Jul 06, 2017 Maryam rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook, romance, read-harder-challanege-2017

I wanted to tell so many things to them and yet I didn't have the words.

As part of Book Riot's "Read Harder Challange" I was to a read an LGBTQ+ romance novel, after a little search I picked this book and wow it was so touching and heart warming!

It's a YA novel, about challenges, questions teenage boys have and struggles they face knowing themselves.

I could easily relate to Ari's confusion, his fight inside him, his hatred and love he had toward his parents.

Enjoyed this book a lot. ...more

19 likes · Like · see review

Jun 23, 2021 Nadine in NY Jones rated it did not like it

Shelves: coming-of-age, fiction, young-adult, did-not-finish, audio

recommended for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

When am I going to learn??? Coming of age books are not for me. All the rave reviews about this one had me expecting something more, but ... this is not more, this is just coming-of-age YA.

Everything about this book is just trying so SO hard to be quirky and meaningful and au courant and deep but it all hits me like a cheesy afterschool special.

“Why do birds exist, anyway?”
He looked at me.
“You don’t know?”
“I guess I don’t.”
“Birds exist

...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 15, 2024 Jaime rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-romance, poc-author, coming-of-age, lgbtq, opposites-attract, latino, 52-book-club-2024, booklist-queen-2024, read-2024, beat-the-backlist-2024

This is the story of two unlikely friends and how they navigate life in their mid-teens. Ari is an unhappy boy who struggles to make friends, both does and doesn't want his parents to talk to him, and is tortured by his lack of knowledge about his older brother, who is in prison. Dante appears to be endlessly cheery, endlessly chatty, and endlessly unbothered by what others may think of him. But together they balance each other out, even though sometimes Ari isn't sure he wants to be friends, wi ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 26, 2021 Ann rated it really liked it

+ Lin-Manuel Miranda reading
+ Dog called Legs

I was listening to this while walking and I was glad that I had a mask on to cover my silly smile at the end.

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2013 Chelsea rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, printz

1. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
2. New York : Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2012. 359 pages.
3. Aristotle, “Ari”, as he likes to be called, does not have it all figured out. Coming of age in the late 1980’s with a Mexican American family who have a few secrets is only part of Ari’s confusion. First of all, he misses his older brother in prison with a strong need to talk about his absence, which his parents are unwilling to face. Added to this Ari describes the feeling of “s 1. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
2. New York : Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2012. 359 pages.
3. Aristotle, “Ari”, as he likes to be called, does not have it all figured out. Coming of age in the late 1980’s with a Mexican American family who have a few secrets is only part of Ari’s confusion. First of all, he misses his older brother in prison with a strong need to talk about his absence, which his parents are unwilling to face. Added to this Ari describes the feeling of “something swimming around inside me that always made me feel bad” (p. 299), which may be one of the reasons he has no friends. Until the summer day he meets Dante Quintana. Laughing from the first moment they meet (at their names) the two quickly become inseparable as they bond over the summer when Dante teaches Ari how to swim. The bond grows when Ari throws himself in front of a car to know Dante out of the way, which breaks both of Ari’ legs, crushes his ribs, and becomes homebound for a majority of the summer. Dante’s sensitivity caused the initial accident and causes him to be guilt ridden at Ari’s condition. It becomes obvious that Dante’s feelings for Ari are beyond boyhood friendship, leaving Ari to contemplate his own feelings. Dante and his family temporarily relocate to Chicago, giving Ari space from his friend and time to socialize with others. He also has a chance to reflect and grow during their time apart, while receiving many letters from Dante, in which he confesses he would rather be kissing boys than the girl he has been. Ari gets his driver’s license, a prized truck, and a dog, while trying to kiss a girl himself. Upon returning, Dante and Ari slip into their same routine. Dante’s desire to be with Ari is unrealized and as a result, he begins seeing another guy. The two are spotted in an alley kissing by four others which results in Dante badly beaten. Ari becomes enraged, finds out who was responsible and breaks his nose. This event terrifies both families. Ari’s family worries he will become like his brother and finally tell him the truth. Dante’s family discover his sexuality and support him. Both boys’ parents are involved and supportive of their sons and become friends themselves, often meeting to bowl. Finally, after much doubt, Ari’s parents sit him down at a family meeting to allow him to discover he is in love with Dante and they fully support and love him. Ari discovers the secret of the universe in Dante’s kiss.
4. The author’s poetic delivery of a boy’s self-discovery is one that will resonate with readers. Aristotle and Dante are two tangible characters readers have the pleasure of getting to know. Some teens will identify with the characters’ struggles, and others may be rooting for them along their journey. Through subtle hints, readers learn Aristotle is most likely gay, though the author does not confirm this until the very end. Teens struggling with their own homosexuality and coming out will find common ground with Aristotle.
5. Review Code: P - 4 Q - 5
6. Teens from twelve and up will enjoy this title. Kissing is as far as the sexual content of the book goes. There are some scenes where teens fight one another which are mildly violent. Few inappropriate language issues as well.
7. The cover is a delight to take in. The artistic font style, along with the intricate doodle-type drawings on the side in a Mexican inspired theme are fresh and appealing to teens.
8. Michael L. Printz Honor (2013)
...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 21, 2014 Lacey Louwagie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: youngadult, literary-fiction, 100-book-challenge-2014, 2020-year-of-expanded-reading

I've been putting off writing this review because this is one of those books that, while well-written and engaging enough, didn't leave me with strong feelings. I gave it four stars because the writing is quite lovely in places, and the characters, especially Dante and Ari, are incredibly vivid. I fell totally in love with Dante and his open, earnest, brave nature--just as I've adored people in my real life who are able to wear their hearts on their sleeves the way he did. I liked that the story ...more

Like · see review

Apr 27, 2017 Celeste rated it liked it

Shelves: audio-book, read-harder-challenge-2017

3.5 stars I enjoyed listening to this audio book, the reader was really good. I read this for a reading challenge that was suppose to be romantic and this wasn't very romantic, but it was about a boy figuring out that he likes other boys. The author does a great job developing his characters and story line. I loved the coming of age parts of the book but felt like the ending was abrupt. I don't usually read from this genre, so this story helped me to be more open minded. (Read Harder Reading Cha ...more

Like · see review

Sep 13, 2020 Ana rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, overdrive, 2020, 2020-september

Okay, I didn’t expect this book to stomp on my heart. But the book just draws you in and makes you feel for these characters. I also wasn’t expecting it to be set in 1987, but I feel like that made an impact on everything. I just really loved the characters and seeing Aristotle find himself.

Like · see review