Scan barcode
pickashelf's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Gun violence, and Mass/school shootings
lindseythyer's review against another edition
5.0
Such a powerful story and full of powerful themes.
jdkaskinen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
kswhite16's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
wallpaper_730's review against another edition
4.0
I don't read a lot of memoirs, but this popped up as an Amazon First Read option and because it was about the Pulse nightclub shooting I was intrigued. I think it's super important to have these kinds of books, as uncomfortable as it is for some. Also, the fact there are many 1 and 2 stars without actual reviews to justify it or reviewers calling this woke makes me believe even more why we need books like this.
Brandon lets his readers into his mind and memories of not only the shooting, but what it was like growing up in a town not willing to accept differences in people. Brandon focuses enough on his personal life to get a feel for who he is and what he has gone through. Not only is this important to be able to identify with him, but it also draws you in to care about him. Then we are introduced to people in his life and get a feel for them as well and are able to care about them.
This story does not focus so much on the actual night of the shooting itself, but rather his life leading up to it and the aftermath. The parts during the actual shooting are hard to read. It is not graphic, but intense.
This is a love story about a chosen family that is met with a tragic ending. With any tragedy there is a struggle to find hope for the future and Brandon shows that there can be hope and it is something he strives to help others find. I do wish Brandon included more on his activism, but we only got a few glimpses of that.
Brandon lets his readers into his mind and memories of not only the shooting, but what it was like growing up in a town not willing to accept differences in people. Brandon focuses enough on his personal life to get a feel for who he is and what he has gone through. Not only is this important to be able to identify with him, but it also draws you in to care about him. Then we are introduced to people in his life and get a feel for them as well and are able to care about them.
This story does not focus so much on the actual night of the shooting itself, but rather his life leading up to it and the aftermath. The parts during the actual shooting are hard to read. It is not graphic, but intense.
This is a love story about a chosen family that is met with a tragic ending. With any tragedy there is a struggle to find hope for the future and Brandon shows that there can be hope and it is something he strives to help others find. I do wish Brandon included more on his activism, but we only got a few glimpses of that.
breedlove's review against another edition
5.0
Just coming into my sexuality in college when the Pulse shooting occurred I was struck with a fear that sticks in the back of my mind to this day 7 years later. A fear that I grow closer each day to setting aside in order to live fully within my community despite continued tragedies day after day. Brandon’s emotional reliving of his life and words of wisdom have struck me at a turning point as I approach 30. Thank you Brandon.
In this memoir he has poignantly spoken to the process of healing but furthermore to that of community and love. “I wanted to get past the idea of earning my own forgiveness and learn to live unapologetically again.”
Beyond the events of that night Brandon’s reflection on growth and life obstacles also struck a cord. “I was unexpectedly living the life I had spent years envying from afar.” If you find yourself at a turning point in life asking “What’s next?” I think you’ll find this memoir a good place to start answering that question.
In this memoir he has poignantly spoken to the process of healing but furthermore to that of community and love. “I wanted to get past the idea of earning my own forgiveness and learn to live unapologetically again.”
Beyond the events of that night Brandon’s reflection on growth and life obstacles also struck a cord. “I was unexpectedly living the life I had spent years envying from afar.” If you find yourself at a turning point in life asking “What’s next?” I think you’ll find this memoir a good place to start answering that question.