I think she wants to know if I want to go to Italy with my brother.ĮLIJAH ALWAYS SAYS THANK YOU, AND OFTENTIMES SAYS PLEASE. Elijah’s boarding school frowns on having overnight guests, but Elijah doesn’t really care if it frowns.Įlijah covers the receiver and whispers to Cal, It’s my mom. Will you go?Įlijah doubts highly that Danny wants him to go.Įlijah still doubts that Danny wants him to go.Ĭal is awake now, rubbing her eyes. Cal starts hitting his sneaker like it’s a snooze button. He thinks his brother has won a prize on a game show or something. His mother is talking about Italy and Elijah’s brother Danny and luxury accommodations. Good, because I have some great news for you … No, no, he says, disguising his own voice to sound awake. Oh goodness, did I wake you? Elijah’s mother asks, her voice so much louder than the dream he’d been having.

Elijah picks up the phone and murmurs a greeting. Who can be calling him at eleven in the morning on a Saturday? Cal, his best friend, stirs from somewhere on the floor. ELIJAH LOOKS AT THE BLUR of his clock as he reaches for the sound. If you recognize the theme, please comment!' Read more

Something about two brothers and a random encounter with a messed up girl just felt *L*iterary to me. I am charmed by Cat and would like to get to know her better.Īnd of course it's a short book, but not necessarily a quick read because there's a lot there, to be read carefully, and to savor.īut all along, especially when I was trying (and failing) to understand Julia, made me feel like I was reading a retelling of a myth or a classic. Serendipity is a narcotic.'Īnd the illusions to old & newer pop culture are interesting. Of course the book is beautifully written. Though of course Ari and Julia were catalysts, too. The scene at the Pantheon is, of course, key - that experience, rather than a lot of talking, is what worked the magic of uniting them. I appreciated that Danny & Elijah have a lot going on inside, and they do care about each other & wish they'd get along better, but don't really talk much or know how to approach each other.

I have sons, but I don't really understand them, especially the details of their r'ships with one another, and how much (or little?) they resemble other young men. I love getting to know something about brothers & the young male point of view.

Are We There Yet? by David Levithan