Reviews

Still Stace: My Gay Christian Coming of Age Story by Stacey Chomiak

seventannie's review against another edition

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5.0

I received this as an ARC in audio format by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The book is an autobiography of the author, Stacey Chomiak, and goes into great detail about the highs and lows of discovering herself while coming to terms with her sexuality and what that meant in the light of her faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church.

I had to sit on this for the past few days, to really let this book set in. While my story is pretty different because I'd say my faith isn't as strong and as important as Stacey's own is to her, I myself have been raised catholic in a small town in the most catholic place there is: Italy, I also have been struggling with juggling the beliefs I have been taught and what I believe to be true regarding gay relationships, same-sex marriage, sex before marriage, abortions, and so on.

Stacey's story really resonated with me on so many levels, I really enjoyed reading about her growing up, her struggles, and her thoughts, I will be recommending this book to everyone who will listen and I will be buying the hardcover edition for sure (it has pictures!!).

beckyjohnston's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful fast-paced

4.0

naturally_caffeinated_reader's review against another edition

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4.0

This was an eye opener fior me as a fellow Canadian was surprised to learn how strict and conservative Christians are in Canada always heard this about our neighbours to the south. I think this is an important read fir youth in similar situation to understand their feelings and that god isn't mad at you for being gay.

chantel_ingalls's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This memoir was so incredibly relatable. As someone who still struggles with identifying what my sexuality is (or is “allowed to be”) I found Still Stace to be relatable, sad, funny, reminiscent and so much more! 5 stars from me ❤️

ashbcgc's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lgbtrepinbooks's review against another edition

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5.0

*As is the nature of a memoir, many topics are discussed and could be considered trigger warnings for many people.*

Trigger Warnings: Christianity, homophobia, christian shame/guilt, toxic relationship, control/manipulation, threats of suicide/blackmail, counseling, coming out, drinking, drugs, jail, sex, Gay conversion therapy

Representation: Lesbian, Bisexual, Christian, Canadian, Gay

Still Stace is an illustrated memoir about Stace’s journey growing up as a Christian, while also being gay. Raised in the church, Stacey loves God, her church, her church friends, and bible camp. This is thrown for a loop one summer while at camp, she meets a girl who makes her heart sing. This sparks a decade long journey of self discovery and how to feel at peace with her identity and spirituality.

This audio ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this memoir! I may be biased based on my religious upbringing but I thought this was an excellent look into what it is like to be raised in the church but also gay. I thought the writing was clear and well organized. I loved the honesty and truthfulness from the author. I loved how Stacey put her entire heart on her sleeve and was willing to be so vulnerable for her readers. I thought this was incredibly brave and made her journey so much more relatable. While I read, I was hoping for the author to identify when they were the problem more but I think that capability comes from a place of privilege and reflection, which is unfair to assume.

I felt Stacey did a wonderful job on the audiobook. Her reading was clear and smooth. She also brought true emotions to the story. Overall, a fantastic book that religious, ex-religious, and non-religious readers alike should read!

cmstein's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

careofjacks's review

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5.0

From the initial description of this memoir, heck, even the full title, I knew this was going to hit hard. I didn’t expect however to be crying listening to the initial dedication to Stace’s younger-self. I felt wholly seen and understood from the beginning, and continued to through out the story. Even though my own story happened differently than hers I felt like I was reading my own thoughts trying to balance inner-truth and scripture against what the church tried to teach. I could feel the all too relatable fear of your parent’s feelings and expectations. It was liberating to hear another person’s story, especially with an ending so happy. Listening to the author narrating her own story in the audiobook made it almost feel like she were telling me this story over coffee. Additionally, I didn’t realize when I requested the audiobook that this was an illustrated memoir, so afterwards I borrowed a copy from my library to flip through the pictures, and the art is also beautifully done.

thank you to Beaming Books and NetGalley for providing me access to the audiobook ARC of this title.

bfenderson's review against another edition

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3.0

Beautiful story, I just struggled with the writing.

lostboylit's review

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0