Chasten Buttigieg

Wow! This is really a beautiful book. It was written for a teenage to young adult readership, but I felt engaged in Chasten's story throughout. He talks about what his life was like growing up in a conservative small town in Michigan. He discusses his first awareness of what being gay felt like and how difficult this was for him to process. He also tells us about overcoming his reluctance to recognizing his true self and eventually finding comfort with this self-knowledge.

There is nothing in this book that I found off-putting. I found it a bit sad, but also a heartwarming and encouraging read. There should never be any reason to ban this book because young people who are questioning their sexual identity need to have books such as this one for information and support.

I know this book was written for young adults, but I did have to laugh at the part of the book where Chasten explained to his readers how paper invoices used to be sent by mail requesting paper checks in payment for a service and what a fax machine was. I feel as if I myself must have been born back in the Ice Age!… (mehr)

What a lovely surprise. Not only a good writer, but a book filled with nothing but sunshine, no matter how rough things got. He grew up the youngest of 4 boys on a small Minnesota farm. His parents were just getting by, but they were able to turn their hands to all sorts of skills and Chasten was right in there happily helping when needed, which was most of the time; since his brothers didn't really appear much in the book. -- they were probably staying to play sports after school.
His college years were somewhat stressful , when with no clear goals --or perhaps too many--he seemed to be in a whirlwind for a couple of years. He finally settled on teaching where his artistic leanings & drama courses helped enormously. A very successful teacher and a profession that he loved. Then Mayor Pete came into his life via a telephone connection. Once they moved in to Pete's house, there was not much time before Pete's bid for head of the Democrats in the 2020 Presidential run, and the gruelling campaign. For personal details -- get a copy. It's a calming interval in the midst of all the crazy political stuff going on a the moment.

HE CERTAINLY HAS SOMEHING TO TELL US. ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY: THEY NOW HAVE TWO BABIES -- A GIRL & A BOY. Best of luck to the family.… (mehr)