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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
I listened to this on audio, and my auditory comprehension is not as high as when I read. This book was chosen for a new book club that I am attending that focuses on banned books.
Yes, Johnson has some scenes where he is very detailed about his first sexual experience. But there are books about heterosexual couples that are similarly graphic that don't get banned.
But this is not a steamy book; it's a memoir about not just his being gay but about his childhood, family, education, friendships and more. He is very thoughtful and insightful in explaining many aspects of his life. It helped me to gain more empathy and understanding of someone who differs from me in more than one demographic category.
The poet Auden cautions us: "We must love one another or die." We should love one another even if we don't understand each other's personal details, but I find that if I read a memoir so that I can "walk a mile in another person's shoes," it's easier for me to be compassionate. Read this book and others about people who differ from you. It's a valuable endeavor.
Yes, Johnson has some scenes where he is very detailed about his first sexual experience. But there are books about heterosexual couples that are similarly graphic that don't get banned.
But this is not a steamy book; it's a memoir about not just his being gay but about his childhood, family, education, friendships and more. He is very thoughtful and insightful in explaining many aspects of his life. It helped me to gain more empathy and understanding of someone who differs from me in more than one demographic category.
The poet Auden cautions us: "We must love one another or die." We should love one another even if we don't understand each other's personal details, but I find that if I read a memoir so that I can "walk a mile in another person's shoes," it's easier for me to be compassionate. Read this book and others about people who differ from you. It's a valuable endeavor.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
This is a must-read for young trans or gender-nonconforming people. You exist, your stories are valid, and you are not alone. Really, it should be required reading for everyone to begin to see things from different perspectives.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
emotional
informative
reflective
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
The use of "lol" and other colloquial slang was a little cringe, but at the end of the day it left me feeling hopeful that things will get better. I needed this book in 12th grade, but it found me now 5 years later and I can still feel the impact it would have had on me if I had read it back then.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Homophobia, Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Outing, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, Transphobia, Police brutality
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual assault, Grief
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, Outing