Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz -> Restarting June 1st, 2019

[C.P.]

Kaylin and Lisa will be reading this starting on July 5th.

[Kaylin]

I’m on page 84 of this, so I’m starting the second section. I’m almost nervous because everyone I know that's read this really loves it, and so far I’m not feeling incredibly attached to the characters. (view spoiler)[ Dante seems almost too open to be believable and Ari’s narrative is pretty… dramatic at times. Like “I was almost happy. Me. Ari. Almost happy!” (hide spoiler)]

[Kaylin]

I’m at the beginning of the third section, “The End of Summer.” (view spoiler)[ I was not anticipating the end of that last chapter! That car really came out of no-where. Ari’s refusal to talk about the accident is definitely interesting, and I’m trying to figure out his reasoning behind it. For a book that has told me quite a lot as far as character motivation, it’s an interesting choice to leave this open to interpretation. (hide spoiler)]

[Kaylin]

About halfway through the fourth section, “Letter’s on a Page” I think Ari is growing up quite a bit. I was not expecting this to cover so much time and see the characters change so much. I actually thought this was a summer romance story, tbh. I’m enjoying seeing how his relationship with his father is developing. (view spoiler)[ I was enjoying Dante’s character by the end of the last section. But I’m not enjoying his letters so far... They just seem…odd. Just too personal. Maybe it’s just me, but it lost some realism. For instance, Dante asking Ari if he masturbates just seemed very random and extremely personal. Which, I get that’s part of his character… it just feels a bit much in the letters. (hide spoiler)]

[Kaylin]

Near the beginning of the fifth section, "Remember the Rain." I'm enjoying this a lot more than I was at the beginning. I wasn't initially connecting to the characters, but think that was largely due to their immaturity. As they continue to grow, I get more and more attached. Excited to see where this goes!

[Kaylin]

Nearing the end of the fifth section. Still invested in this. (view spoiler)[ Find it kind of odd Dante just promised not to kiss Ari, then kissed him in the next chapter... (hide spoiler)]

[Kaylin]

Just finished this! It think it was pretty good! :)

I enjoyed the ending a lot more the beginning, I think it really built on itself and I felt more connected to the characters at the end.

[Alaina]

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RESTARTING JUNE 1ST, 2019

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[Aly]

25% (view spoiler)[ The story is kind of random and the boys do weird things, but maybe that's how 15 year old boys are. It's weird that Aritotle's parents and sisters don't talk about his brother, they're ashamed I guess. That would be hard. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

50% (view spoiler)[ Woah, the accident was crazy! I'm glad Ari saved Dante, but his legs are both broken? That would be awful. I wonder why Ari wants to act like it was no big deal and not talk about it?
I'm also bummed that now Dante has to leave, I hope they keep in touch. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

75% (view spoiler)[ I didn't like that Dante pressured Ari to kiss him, especially when Ari said he didn't want to kiss boys. Dante is a bit irritating (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Ari realized he loved Dante at the end. He really did a lot for Dante, saving him from the car and going after the people who hurt him and I hope Dante is good to Ari. This was okay overall, not my favorite. (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

The Different Rules of Summer (about 25%) - (view spoiler)[ I'm not quite understanding Ari's character yet. Why is he so fixated on his brother and dad? (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

The End of Summer - (view spoiler)[ I'm sad Dante is leaving just when he and Ari were finally starting to communicate and Ari started letting go of his anger about the accident. (hide spoiler)]
Letters on a Page - (view spoiler)[ Hmm, I don't really get Gina and the other girl - they annoy me as much as Ari is annoyed. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[ Hmm, so many thoughts. I thought it was pretty awful that Ari's brother was convicted of a hate crime; I was actually expecting that he might have abused Ari and that was why no one would talk about it.

I guess I didn't like the conversation Ari's dad had with him. I felt like his parents were pressuring him to be with Dante and I was mad that they pointed to his sticking up for Dante and saving his life. I just think that a straight guy that is a true friend would have done the same - friendship shouldn't have to have limits like that and the author was implying that he only did those things because he loved Dante and not because he was a loyal friend. It just bugged me the way it was presented. I mean ask yourself this - would the story have been equally good if Ari told his parents that he wasn't gay and just loved Dante as a friend and accepted him as gay? I think it would. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

I agree with your thoughts on the end. I was thinking the same things when his parents said that.

[Alaina]

33% (view spoiler)[a broken leg to save a boy who was saving a bird... okay I can go along with this. (hide spoiler)]
53% (view spoiler)[random thought.. but is the brother dead? (hide spoiler)]
80% (view spoiler)[do guys seriously thinking or ask each other about masturbating? Is this like guys pillow talk? (hide spoiler)]
100% (view spoiler)[wow. A lot happened. I felt like some things were kind of forced and I was definitely expecting something else but the whole brother being alive and committing a hate crime threw me for a loop as well. I liked it and enjoyed it but yeah I just expected a different ending or at least something more. Ya know?. (hide spoiler)]