FIRST READ OF THE YEAR: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of The Universe. (kind of spoiler-y, but not really)

Nothing will top this book. Nothing. 

I was seriously a mess after/during reading this book/whenever I think about it.

This book has so many powerful messages about LIFE, what it means to be Mexican and growing up in America, Stereotypes, and what it means to be Mexican and gay.

So it’s no surprise that this book broke my heart.

I’VE FINALLY HAD THE TIME TO REVIEW IT BECAUSE IM ON HALF TERM (i mean, this is a really quick review so don’t get your hopes up ppl)

ALSO, Hey things to note: some spoiler-ish stuff, but not really. rating: 5/5 OBVIOUSLY. Author of book: BENJAMIN ALIRE SÁENZ.

Also: THERE’S A BOOK TWO THAT’S COMING OUT SOMETIME, WHO KNOWS WHEN, THAT PICKS UP IMMEDIATELY AFTER AADDTSOTU (yes that’s the actual acronym of the book I’m not just doing a keyboard-smash-thing) FINISHES SO… IM HYPED FOR THAT I WANT IT NOW. THERE’S MORE HEARTBREAK TO COME. HOLD ME.

This was my ‘review’ after just reading it:

“I know that I say “I was a MESS” in loads of the reviews that I actually get around to writing. But this book? This book is all those books put together. I read this TODAY. I have been crying ALL DAY. I have never felt so much about a book and I’ll probably get around to writing a proper review for this book BECAUSE IT DESERVES ONE but right now I just want to say HOW IMPORTANT THIS BOOK IS and that this book has changed me forever.”

I even tweeted about it. I KNOW. I went onto an online space and SAID SOMETHING. shocker.

I WOULD GIVE EVERYTHING FOR THESE CINNAMON BUNS. 

ARI. His perspective. EVERYTHING. He’s so… I don’t want to say ‘deep’ because that undermines everything. He’s a boy, trying to understand the world and stereotypes and boxes and struggling with being this tiny spec of life on this massive planet and wanting to have answers to questions he doesn’t even know. 

DANTE. and his hatred for shoes! He’s so painfully honest and kind. He freaking DRIPS sincerity. I cry just thinking about him. I don’t understand how one human being can be so kind NO MATTER WHAT. IT’S TOO MUCH MY HEART IS BREAKING. When Dante cries, I’m absolutely certain that a crack forms in the earth. stars obliterate. 

While reading, things seemed to carry on,,, and carry on,,, and I loved seeing their friendship grow,,, and… And then BOOM plot twist and everything fell apart into ten trillion pieces. {I mean, THIS BOOK IS SET OVER TWO YEARS. so you see some MAJOR character growth while reading}

But they still kept on going. Even from the start, when they were just ‘friends, they loved each other so wholly despite everything Ari feared.

The way that he’s literally in so much pain on the inside, so confused about everything, yet he so completely understands Dante. But at the same time, he totally doesn’t because it’s too much for him but not enough at the same time and I’m going to stop rambling now.

I’m 90% sure Ari is depressed.  

This book is probably my favourite when it comes to the outstanding FAMILIES that are shown and have a MAJOR role in the plot. It’s not something that you see in YA. You just don’t.

We see the ‘divorced’ trope or the ‘absent parent’ trope that fills the angst of a character. but here we have TWO families, happily married, in love with each other, that absolutely ADORE their children and make sure that their children know they’re loved. THEY LOVE THEIR SONS SO MUCH AND JUST WANT THEM TO BE HAPPY W/ EACH OTHER AND IT BREAKS MY HEART.

ALSO: such important messages on ethnicity!! About what it means to be Mexican and growing up in America, and what it means to be Mexican and gay. SUCH POWERFUL MESSAGES.

AND ALSO: I just love the writing style. SO MUCH DIALOGUE. It’s so simply written and that makes it even more powerful and heartbreaking. it whittles the world down to these two families, these two boys and it’s PAINFUL. 

This book broke me in the best way.