“All that remains is dreammaking and strange remembrance.” André Aciman, Call Me By Your Name

I don’t know about you, but when I am incredibly in my feelings, I love to dive into another world filled with romances I could only dream of and problems that I don’t encounter as a single woman. Well, that is exactly what happened when I picked up André Aciman’s novel, Call Me By Your Name. I’m sure many of you have either heard the rave reviews of the novel or how enraptured everyone was with the movie. It’s hard to not hear all of the loud noise surrounding this story.

Unfortunately, these are the exact reasons why I refused to pick up the novel. I’m the person who won’t listen to something or read something or watch it because it is blowing up in the media. I know, completely stupid but nonetheless, it is who I am. After months of hearing people gush and just rave over and over about this novel, I broke down. My friend really caught my attention when she told me I was seriously missing out on something huge. Now that is something I do not like to do. So, I broke down and I picked up this novel and oh how glad I am.

The novel follows a young, Jewish man named Elio who is staying in Italy for the summer with his family and his relationship with Oliver, a twenty-four-year-old American-Jewish doctoral student who is staying for the season to study under Elio’s father. Elio, who is a very precocious and intellectual teenager does not know what to make of Oliver who while matching Elio’s intellect, seems to be as carefree as the wind. The novel documents their relationship as well as Elio’s inner struggles that many young people today battle as well, diving into heartbreak, sexual identity, and that addicting feeling we all crave: love.

The writing is absolutely beautiful, and the emotion is something that will truly leave you breathless. Anyone can relate to the desire young Elio feels and the way Aciman writes in beautiful tangents can make one sigh. My copy of the novel definitely did not come out of this experience unscathed; my dried-up highlighter can attest to that. The number of beautiful, notable quotes I took from this book is absolutely insane, but every one of them rang true.

It has been quite a while since I have read a story quite so raw and touching that left me breathless to the last page.

I want to read this novel a thousand times over and even then, it will not be enough. It is an absolute gift to humanity. I have never felt so inspired to love before or highlighted so much. Join me. Pick up a copy of this lovely story or, if you aren’t much of a reader, watch the critically-acclaimed adaption. Join me in my sob-fest and open up your heart to this incredible journey, because no matter your religious, sexual, or personal identity, this is simply a story of love that I believe everyone should experience.

Let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good love story?

Disclaimer: This story does contain content that may not be suitable for all ages.