CMC’s Common Reader ready to read

Read the book now, meet author Benjamin Alire Sáenz at talks in October

Sept. 22, 2023 – Colorado Mountain College is bringing New York Times bestselling author and PEN/Faulkner Award winner Benjamin Alire Sáenz to eight CMC communities from Oct. 23-27 to talk about his book, “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.”

CMC’s Common Reader selection is a young adult fiction book that focuses on the power of family and friendship. The novel invites readers into a coming-of-age story dotted with funny episodes, tragic accidents and unconditional love.

Ari and Dante live in 1987 El Paso, Texas, as they connect to issues about love and identity that are relevant today. They learn to navigate sometimes perilous worlds, form friendships and relationships, and wrestle with societal and familial expectations about gender and sexuality.

Coincidentally, the film version of “Ari and Dante” opened nationwide on Sept. 8. The cast includes Eva Longoria and up-and-coming actors Max Pelayo and Reese Gonzales. Lin-Manual Miranda of “Hamilton” fame is one of the producers of the film, and he narrated the audiobook version.

An art and creative writing contest, with submissions due Nov. 10, is open to CMC students, employees and community members. Details can be found on the Common Reader webpage (see below).

Sáenz’s Common Reader talks and book signings will be held at CMC Breckenridge (Oct. 23), at the SteamPlant Event Center in Salida (Oct. 24), at CMC Leadville (Oct. 24),  at CMC Steamboat Springs (Oct. 25), at CMC Vail Valley at Edwards (Oct. 26), at CMC Rifle (Oct. 26), at CMC Aspen (Oct. 27) and at CMC Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs (Oct. 27). Books are now available at bookstores, at CMC campuses, at public libraries and through CMC’s virtual library

Visit CMC's Common Reader webpage for details about the book, the author talks and the art and creative writing contest.