A Lovely Book for Summertime: Aristotle and Dante Discover The Secrets of the Universe

The first two-thirds of June were hot and dry. Then the rain came down, and down and down.  My garden is going to eclipse our scarecrow! 

I listened to the audio version of this book which is read by Lin-Manuel Miranda, he does a wonderful job.  He has amazing source material to work with; this book is so lovely. It's beautifully written. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a rare book that I enjoyed so much that after having listened to it, I'm going to go by a physical copy so I can read it and keep it and read it again. 

If you haven't read it already, go get it. It's a story of boys and summer and life and families.  It's clear early on why it has won many awards. Even if you don't usually read YA, if you love books, give it a read. 

“Summer was here again. Summer, summer, summer. I loved and hated summers. Summers had a logic all their own and they always brought something out in me. Summer was supposed to be about freedom and youth and no school and possibilities and adventure and exploration. Summer was a book of hope. That's why I loved and hated summers. Because they made me want to believe.”
― Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

 

Just When I Thought Summer Was Ending!

I was getting hyped up for Fall, was even going to make a new soup recipe this week, and then I looked at my app and it's going to be in the 90s all week. Today it was 97. All my weeks of working hard to avoid putting on the air conditioning, down the drain!

Pretty funny actually, it's August in Chicago, why would I think we would be done having temperatures in the 90s Ha! In deference to the weather, I started off my day by having watermelon.  A very good choice.  Have you ever tried a savory watermelon salad?  I have seen variations of Watermelon/Basil/Cucumber/Feta Cheese Salads but I am not sure if I am ready to give it a try. I do like spinach salad with feta cheese and strawberries, I wonder if it is similar.

Then there is the whole cutting of the watermelon! The hubs kept buying big watermelons, but then I have to use all the plastic containers that still have lids to get the cut watermelon packaged up and then it takes up a ton of room in the fridge!

Because of the heat, I ran earlier so I didn't melt into a puddle on the sidewalk.  Today I ran with music, but often I will listen to an audiobook.  Recently I listened to one I borrowed from my public library, it was excellent!  My review is below!

Slay by Brittney Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to an hour of this book while running on Friday and then on Saturday I listened to it while running, doing dishes, cooking, sitting in a chair, eating, etc. etc. I had to finish it, I had to know how Kiera weathered the storm.

Brittney does such a masterful job creating Kiera's world and the world of Slay. I could picture how the game would look and sound as I read. How wonderful it would be if Slay did exist.

One of my favorite things about the book is the expanded POV chapters. Not only do we get Keira and Claires POVs but we step into the shoes of a variety of players.

I'm so happy that this book is out in the world for all those gamers who don't usually see themselves in fiction.


View all my reviews