Chris M

I don’t even know where to start with Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World. This book completely pulled me in and refused to let go. Benjamin Alire Sáenz writes with such tenderness and honesty that every page feels alive with emotion.

I connected with Ari on such a deep level. The way he wrestles with his thoughts and feelings felt so familiar to me. There’s a line that really stayed with me: “I don’t want to write for the world—I just want to write what I’m thinking and the things that matter to me.” It made me understand the need to let the words out—to stop keeping everything bottled up inside. Sometimes you just need a place to pour out all the thoughts and emotions swirling in your head, and Ari’s journey captures that perfectly.

This book isn’t just about love (though Ari and Dante’s love is beautiful and sincere). It’s about finding your voice, healing, and learning how to exist in the world as your truest self. It’s quieter and more reflective than the first book, but that’s what makes it so powerful. I laughed, I cried, and I closed it feeling lighter somehow.

If Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe was about finding love, Dive into the Waters of the World is about learning how to live it—and how to use your voice to make meaning out of the chaos. 💙