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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
It makes me happy to know that YA books like this exist in the world. Now it isn't perfect. It isn't #ownvoices. But I don't think it's meant to be the definitive book on bisexuality or the LDS faith. I think the subject matter is handled with care. I appreciated how the authors realistically explored these complex topics without being manipulative or judgmental. Plus, if it helps teens in similar situations feel less alone and a little more accepted- I'm all for it.
I curled up on the couch and pretty much devoured it in one sitting. I thought it was fantastic. It's a love story of equal parts angst and hope. I found myself alternating between wanting to throttle characters or embrace them with both arms.
I curled up on the couch and pretty much devoured it in one sitting. I thought it was fantastic. It's a love story of equal parts angst and hope. I found myself alternating between wanting to throttle characters or embrace them with both arms.
High school is tough to begin with. But poor Tanner, poor Sebastian, poor Autumn.
This is a queer coming of age novel that also tackles religious stigmas. And the main characters are writers. I loved the story.
This is a queer coming of age novel that also tackles religious stigmas. And the main characters are writers. I loved the story.
This one really gutted me and had me in turmoil for days. I gave this 5 stars because the story was really great, but also... it really upset me. This book isn't a work of fiction, it's nonfiction, and that makes me sad and mad and...
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Tanner's family lived in the SF Bay Area, then they relocated to Provo, UT for his mom's job. Tanner is an out-and-proud bisexual, but his mother asks him to closet himself somewhat when they move to Provo since Provo is much more conservative than the SF Bay Area. Tanner and his BFF Autumn take a class during their last semester of high school where they are required to write a book by the end of the semester. The teacher gets last year's rising star and recently published author, Sebastian, to assist with the class. Sebastian and Tanner fall for each other, but Sebastian's family is very, extremely Mormon, and Sebastian can't imagine actually having a relationship with Tanner.
I read this book in one sitting over the long holiday weekend. I mean, my spouse and I traveled to my in-laws', and I still sat and read this book in one sitting. It was that compelling. I don't know if it would be for everyone else, but it certainly was for me. It felt like current me (Tanner) was meeting past-me (Sebastian) in this book. I, too, grew up in a very conservative home. I, too, would likely have been kicked out or sent to a reconversion center had I come out at home.
For a bit of perspective, I'm going to get personal here: I went to a very conservative religious "university," during which time I became convinced that god was upset with me because I'm queer. At that point I had never dated anyone of any gender - never held hands with a person, kissed them, etc. So I went to my close friends and said something like this, "I have a sin problem. I struggle with same-sex attraction. I know that's wrong and I'm working to get over this. Can you pray for me as I try to do better?" Seriously - I said those kinds of words to a small handful of friends. One of those people never spoke to me face-to-face again - she pushed notes under my dorm door instead. Another told me her parents wouldn't let her be around me (yes, this was in COLLEGE). A third told me that if I came to her dorm room to chat or hang out, we'd have to leave the door open. And this was with me saying that I thought being queer - just being - was a sin and that I wasn't planning on throwing myself a Pride parade or anything.
All that to say, when I read Sebastian's struggle, I get it. I really do. I hurt for him, and I hope he escapes and finds a way to live as his authentic self, because those of us who have watched Fantastic Beasts know what happens when you smother yourself inside.
I loved Tanner's accepting family. I understood their hesitation at letting him become involved with a religious person, knowing it could break his heart, and I was glad that they let him make that choice anyway.
I agree with other reviewers that Mormonism is handled very respectfully in this book. Like reading Jennifer Mathieu's Devoted, I never felt like the religion was being mocked or put in a bad light.
This is an excellent representation of being queer in a religious community. Highly recommended.
Recommended for: teens
Red Flags: one homophobic slur. Nothing else - Mormon teens are depicted as squeaky clean, so they do things like play laser tag instead of having keggers
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit, Devoted, The Miseducation of Cameron Tate
I read this book in one sitting over the long holiday weekend. I mean, my spouse and I traveled to my in-laws', and I still sat and read this book in one sitting. It was that compelling. I don't know if it would be for everyone else, but it certainly was for me. It felt like current me (Tanner) was meeting past-me (Sebastian) in this book. I, too, grew up in a very conservative home. I, too, would likely have been kicked out or sent to a reconversion center had I come out at home.
For a bit of perspective, I'm going to get personal here: I went to a very conservative religious "university," during which time I became convinced that god was upset with me because I'm queer. At that point I had never dated anyone of any gender - never held hands with a person, kissed them, etc. So I went to my close friends and said something like this, "I have a sin problem. I struggle with same-sex attraction. I know that's wrong and I'm working to get over this. Can you pray for me as I try to do better?" Seriously - I said those kinds of words to a small handful of friends. One of those people never spoke to me face-to-face again - she pushed notes under my dorm door instead. Another told me her parents wouldn't let her be around me (yes, this was in COLLEGE). A third told me that if I came to her dorm room to chat or hang out, we'd have to leave the door open. And this was with me saying that I thought being queer - just being - was a sin and that I wasn't planning on throwing myself a Pride parade or anything.
All that to say, when I read Sebastian's struggle, I get it. I really do. I hurt for him, and I hope he escapes and finds a way to live as his authentic self, because those of us who have watched Fantastic Beasts know what happens when you smother yourself inside.
I loved Tanner's accepting family. I understood their hesitation at letting him become involved with a religious person, knowing it could break his heart, and I was glad that they let him make that choice anyway.
I agree with other reviewers that Mormonism is handled very respectfully in this book. Like reading Jennifer Mathieu's Devoted, I never felt like the religion was being mocked or put in a bad light.
This is an excellent representation of being queer in a religious community. Highly recommended.
Recommended for: teens
Red Flags: one homophobic slur. Nothing else - Mormon teens are depicted as squeaky clean, so they do things like play laser tag instead of having keggers
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit, Devoted, The Miseducation of Cameron Tate
Oh my God, I will not say much about this book, mostly because I can't. It wrecked me emotionally, I actually cried in a few places it was so tender and beautiful and I was hopeful and scared for the two main characters. I know I am trying to get better at writing my reviews, but I'll just let how emotional I got to speak for this one. I finished it and want so desperately to read it again.
This book is amazing. I did not expect it to rip my heart open the way it did, but it’s Christina Lauren, I should have known better. Tanner is a bisexual teenage boy who comes from a loving supportive family, but a move to Utah makes him realize that not all of the world is so open minded. I did not realize that the Mormon faith was going to be a huge factor of this book but it was. Christina Lauren clearly did their research and this book is well written and factually driven, which I think to me, made it beak my heart even more.
Autoboyography is a compulsively readable Young Adult triumph. Maybe I’m just old and jaded, but I tend to shy away from most Young Adult fiction because teen drama frequently seems inconsequential or manufactured to me. This story, however, addresses contemporary concerns that feel genuine in every way.
A bisexual half-Jewish high school student moves to a Mormon town. It almost sounds like the beginning of a joke but for Tanner, being forced back into the closet is an unfortunate reality. He could easily be a bitter, self-destructive character, but he adapts while maintaining his naturally friendly nature.
A model student and son of a bishop, Sebastian is the small town’s golden boy. He is generous with his time, devout in his faith, and always eager to do the right thing. He willingly carries the weight of his parents’ high expectations, but my heart continually ached for him. Whereas Tanner proudly came to terms with his sexual orientation long ago, Sebastian grapples to define his sexual identity. The struggle is equally painful for them both.
Tanner’s progressive parents are a joy. They shower him with acceptance, but also exhibit concern. I’m pretty sure I developed a soft spot in my heart for Tanner’s mom from the moment she enters the scene with her inspirational bumper stickers and gay pride pajamas. Tanner’s dad is a huge teddy bear, and he offers a nonjudgmental ear and sound advice. I also enjoyed the complexity of Tanner’s relationship with his best friend Autumn.
I appreciated the way the story explores the tenants of the Mormon faith in an open and honest way, and it debunks many preconceptions. It doesn’t demonize those who believe homosexuality is a sin; however, it doesn’t sugarcoat their opinions and behavior, either.
Tanner and Sebastian’s tender journey hit me with all the feels. I didn’t expect it to be so profoundly moving. I am infinitely glad this book exists in a world where so many LGBTQ teens feel confused, scared, alone, or ostracized. Maybe this fictional story will bring them real comfort.
Recommended for fans of:
LGBTQ issues
Young Adult stories
Small towns
High school
A bisexual half-Jewish high school student moves to a Mormon town. It almost sounds like the beginning of a joke but for Tanner, being forced back into the closet is an unfortunate reality. He could easily be a bitter, self-destructive character, but he adapts while maintaining his naturally friendly nature.
A model student and son of a bishop, Sebastian is the small town’s golden boy. He is generous with his time, devout in his faith, and always eager to do the right thing. He willingly carries the weight of his parents’ high expectations, but my heart continually ached for him. Whereas Tanner proudly came to terms with his sexual orientation long ago, Sebastian grapples to define his sexual identity. The struggle is equally painful for them both.
Tanner’s progressive parents are a joy. They shower him with acceptance, but also exhibit concern. I’m pretty sure I developed a soft spot in my heart for Tanner’s mom from the moment she enters the scene with her inspirational bumper stickers and gay pride pajamas. Tanner’s dad is a huge teddy bear, and he offers a nonjudgmental ear and sound advice. I also enjoyed the complexity of Tanner’s relationship with his best friend Autumn.
I appreciated the way the story explores the tenants of the Mormon faith in an open and honest way, and it debunks many preconceptions. It doesn’t demonize those who believe homosexuality is a sin; however, it doesn’t sugarcoat their opinions and behavior, either.
Tanner and Sebastian’s tender journey hit me with all the feels. I didn’t expect it to be so profoundly moving. I am infinitely glad this book exists in a world where so many LGBTQ teens feel confused, scared, alone, or ostracized. Maybe this fictional story will bring them real comfort.
Recommended for fans of:
LGBTQ issues
Young Adult stories
Small towns
High school