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beansbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
this ya novel was one of the most poignant, moving, and beautiful ones i've read.
"you want me to explain this with logic? well, where was the logic to loving? ...where was the logic to cancer? where was the logic to living? i was starting to believe that the human heart had an inexplicable logic. but i was also starting to get drunk, so i wasn't trusting anything i was thinking."
"maybe it wasn't a good idea to rank the people in your life. that's not how the heart worked. the heart didn't make lists."
"i held the envelope in my hand and opened it with all the care that was in me. and there in the envelope were some dry leaves. yellow leaves. and there was a note. i started at Mirna's handwriting. 'these are the leaes that my Salvador gave me one saturday afternoon when he was five.' i knew then that that day had been just as beautiful for her as it had been for me."
"you want me to explain this with logic? well, where was the logic to loving? ...where was the logic to cancer? where was the logic to living? i was starting to believe that the human heart had an inexplicable logic. but i was also starting to get drunk, so i wasn't trusting anything i was thinking."
"maybe it wasn't a good idea to rank the people in your life. that's not how the heart worked. the heart didn't make lists."
"i held the envelope in my hand and opened it with all the care that was in me. and there in the envelope were some dry leaves. yellow leaves. and there was a note. i started at Mirna's handwriting. 'these are the leaes that my Salvador gave me one saturday afternoon when he was five.' i knew then that that day had been just as beautiful for her as it had been for me."
thecaptain's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
gwalt118's review against another edition
3.0
Saenz's second YA novel was not quite as good as his first, "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe," but it was still a very good book. It is a fantastic coming-of-age novel for today's teenagers that explores the struggles of self-identity in a senior year of high school. It explores what it's like to have a parent who is gay, a friend who is gay, how to deal with conflict and harassment, how to handle death of a loved one, and so many more things that teenagers often face. A wonderful novel for teens to read, especially those who are struggling with something. The only caveat for this novel is that it might be long for a teenager. This is not a book for a struggling reader or a reader who gets disinterested easily. The story takes time to develop and the characters take a while to grow; however, it's certainly worth the wait and the time investment for young readers and adults.
aobenstine's review against another edition
5.0
I just lost my grandmother a few weeks ago. This book hit me hard, but in all the right ways.
Wow wow wow.
Wow wow wow.
readsbylaura's review against another edition
4.0
At first, I wasn't so sure about this book because of how it was written. I'm not sure how to describe it, but the way Sáenz writes this book is very different from what is could be considered "normal" writing, I guess, but you get used to the writing and start to actually like it because you feel like your inside the main character's mind or like you're apart of his life.
While I was reading The Inexplicable Logic of My Life, I was slowly getting attached to the characters in his book. They are written so well that they feel so real to the point where you're pulled into their life struggles and happiness. I just felt so close to these characters that all I wanted was for them to be happy and not hurt even though their pain is what made them even better characters.
I can't really explain what this book made me feel, but honestly, the way it's written is what I liked about it a lot. It grew on me and I truly enjoyed the way it was written. It was a great coming of age book. Sáenz has done it again!
Review also posted at Little Pieces of Books
While I was reading The Inexplicable Logic of My Life, I was slowly getting attached to the characters in his book. They are written so well that they feel so real to the point where you're pulled into their life struggles and happiness. I just felt so close to these characters that all I wanted was for them to be happy and not hurt even though their pain is what made them even better characters.
I can't really explain what this book made me feel, but honestly, the way it's written is what I liked about it a lot. It grew on me and I truly enjoyed the way it was written. It was a great coming of age book. Sáenz has done it again!
Review also posted at Little Pieces of Books
aayusha's review against another edition
3.0
Actual Rating: 3.5
I honestly don't know how I feel about this book. Nothing really happened but at the same time a lot did(?) I didn't feel much but at the same time I felt everything(?)
I honestly don't know how I feel about this book. Nothing really happened but at the same time a lot did(?) I didn't feel much but at the same time I felt everything(?)
tanemariacris's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a while since I read and fell in love with Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and it was pleasant to find out that Sáenz's words never lost their magic for me. His writing style captures so much emotion and power in very few words and the characters he creates are always complex human beings whose developments and relationships with others move the story along organically. The way he builds family dynamics and friendships is deeply heartwarming, a gentle celebration of love and unity, both of which grow even stronger in the face of adversity. Grief, anger, fear, isolation, self-appreciation, death, identity, addiction, homophobia, second chances, loss, and, as I previously mentioned, love in a variety of forms are all woven together with care and tenderness. Yes, the events in this book are quite static, but what brings it all to life are the emotions and the messages it sends to the reader. It is that kind of story that brings certain wounds into focus and then gently attempts to alleviate the pain.
girlonearth's review against another edition
4.0
It hurts to know i only have one brain. A brain that very rarely cooperates and holds onto the memories my heart wants to remember. This book will be forgotten by my brain, but not by my heart. The heart never forgets.
This book is filled with words that altogether create a beautiful depiction of the world we live in, and i guess, how its author sees it. It’s about family, friends, love, grief, uncertainty, life lessons, you know, like every other book is. But that’s what life is about for every single human being. In the end, we’re all here to learn different things, but more or less the same. And that’s all beautiful and valid. So it is for books.
I almost didn’t read this book because i read people online saying it wasn’t as good as Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I do understand. But i would have kept myself from discovering beautiful secrets too if i hadn’t read it.
Special thanks to this book, that was patiently waiting in my library for a couple of years, until i decided to pick it up, and open it.
This book is filled with words that altogether create a beautiful depiction of the world we live in, and i guess, how its author sees it. It’s about family, friends, love, grief, uncertainty, life lessons, you know, like every other book is. But that’s what life is about for every single human being. In the end, we’re all here to learn different things, but more or less the same. And that’s all beautiful and valid. So it is for books.
I almost didn’t read this book because i read people online saying it wasn’t as good as Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I do understand. But i would have kept myself from discovering beautiful secrets too if i hadn’t read it.
Special thanks to this book, that was patiently waiting in my library for a couple of years, until i decided to pick it up, and open it.
mischief_in_the_library's review against another edition
5.0
I almost didn't read this, because I was very underwhelmed by [b:Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe|12000020|Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, #1)|Benjamin Alire Sáenz|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328320260s/12000020.jpg|16964419]. I'm extremely glad I decided to give it a shot, though, because this will very possibly be my favourite book of 2018.
It was sad, though. Very, very sad, but in an important-feeling way. Sad in the way that uncomfortable life lessons are sad. The writing was beautiful, and I loved every single relationship between the characters. Definitely worth your time.
It was sad, though. Very, very sad, but in an important-feeling way. Sad in the way that uncomfortable life lessons are sad. The writing was beautiful, and I loved every single relationship between the characters. Definitely worth your time.
georgia_jaycee's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me sob, it explored grief in such a beautiful way. It showed friendships and family in a light that made me reflect on how much I love the people in my life. I love the way Saenz crests full and interesting characters and despite the lack of focused plot it still moved in a way that touched me.