Openly Straight

This review is also written in spanish / Esta reseña también está escrita en español. English This book has been one of the few books that has capture my total attention. The story is very well written, although at the end of the book the plot events happen way too fast. The way the main character (Rafe) past is written in it's present gives it a very attractive touch so that the reader can feel motivated to keep on reading, and at the same time more things are revealed about Rafe's past. The author really did a great job writting this book. The character are very well rounded, and they offer a great and diverse pool of interesting backstories and side characters for the reader to fall in love with. I would compare my experience reading this book with that of a person who has to go through a roller coaster on which starts a slow ride and then it progresses into a bumpy ride with its own ups and downs, and it leads you wanting more and more with every slide. The core message of this book is its teachings which are imprinted upon the reader. For example: To keep loyal to yourself, loveing yourself, to stop paying attention of what others say, staying true to your own ideals and that being gay is something that you are but it doesn't lable you. Pros: -It's a read page turner. -The main characters are really likable and you can become very fond of them. -Hilariously funny with a bit of sarcasm. -The changes that many of the characters have to go throguh it's incredible and heart warming. -The author is writting a sequel tittled "Honestly Ben". Cons: -The last five characters happen way too fast. -At the end of the book the main characters do not resolve their differences. -Little explanation about Ben's past. Score: 4.3/5 Español Este libro ha sido uno de esos pocos que han captado mi total atención. La historia se desenvuelve bastante bien, aunque al final los acontecimientos empiezan a suceder muy rápido, demasiado rápido diría yo. El manejo del pasado del personaje principal, Rafe, siendo narrado en su presente, escrito en los ensayos que tenia que entregar a su profesor de literatura, le da un toque atractivo para que el lector se sienta motivado a seguir leyendo y al mismo tiempo saber un poco más acerca del pasado de este peculiar personaje. El autor realmente hizo un buen trabajo con esta pieza, los personajes son llamativos y ofrecen diversidad a la lectura. Si pudiese comparar mi experiencia leyendo este libro lo haría con la de cuando alguien sube a una montaña rusa en la que al subir va lento, luego llegas a la cima y empiezas a descender un poco más rápido y luego es solo cuestión de segundos para llegar al final, dejándote en el interior el deseo de querer más. Lo más valioso de este libro son las enseñanzas que deja al público. Mantenerse leal a quien eres, amarte a ti mismo, quitarte la venda del "que dirán" de los ojos y sobre todo que ser gay es una de las tantas cosas que eres, pero no es lo que te define. Pros: -Lectura refrescante. -Los personajes principales son agradables y se les toma cariño inmediatamente. -Hilarantemente gracioso con un toque de sarcasmo. -La metamorfosis de algunos personajes llegará a sorprenderte. -Habrá una secuela del libro llamada "Honestly Ben". Contras: -Los últimos cinco capítulos pasan demasiado rápido. -Al final los personajes principales no logran resolver sus problemas. -Muy poca información acerca del pasado de Ben. Puntuación: 4.3/5

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! There's just not enough queer lit in the world that's FUN to read (and of course, doesn't end in everyone dying). Most* of the characters are refreshing and unique, and the protagonist Rafe's dilemma is relatable to many teenagers--how can we break out of the labels that people place on us? How can we be more than a stereotype? How can we be seen as a fully unique person with our own interests, flaws, and skills? In Rafe's case, he's "the gay kid." Everyone in his high school just knew him as the gay kid, and only talks about gayness with him. It'd be annoying for everybody. I can definitely relate to his desire to "start over" in a new school where no one knows anything about him. *I say that MOST of the characters are great, but some of the other males students at Rafe's new school kind of blend in together--I couldn't tell the difference between Toby and Albie until halfway through the book. They kind of blended together to me. Similarly, most of the other jocks seemed to be interchangeable. HOWEVER, maybe this was done on purpose by the author, to show us how Rafe's in his head so much that he doesn't even consider other people to be real, and is stereotyping/labeling them himself--just like he said he hated when other people did to him! This is either a case of brilliant writing or semi-average writing, and I'll let you make the judgement when you read it yourself. In general, I think this is a great premise for a book: gay kid hates being known as "the gay kid," thinks being gay is no big deal, goes to another school to reinvent himself and is back in the closet all over again. Rafe's relationship with another boy who doesn't know if he is (or can) be gay is fascinating and lovingly written, and I'm sure will resonate with LGBTQ+ youth. And even straight folks! Though I have some issues with the writing (particularly in the first few chapters), this is overall a great read and I'd definitely recommend it to my students.

Je me suis régalé à lire ce livre et à suivre cette histoire ! Je vous le conseille vivement.

Libro arrivato nei tempi previsti, l'unica pecca è che me l'hanno lasciato nella buchetta delle lettere e si è inumidito il pacchetto, quindi la carta ne ha un po' risentito. Per il resto tutto ok, come descrizione.

Thats a really bad title right? I don't own my sons but I did make them, and I'm so proud they were given an environment they were able to be themselves. I actually have 3 sons, 1 is too young to know who he is, maybe I'll hit the trifecta?? My point is this. This book was amazing. Sure it's fiction, but what insight! I have lots of conversations with my boys that are the very centre of the book. You don't need labels, you certainly don't have to make statements in everything you do, sometimes it's okay to just live. Thankyou for reminding me that my boys aren't just my "gay" sons. A beautiful message, written eloquently. Thank you.

Wow! It is pure gold. So funny yet very serious. Very insightful and eye opener. Loved the character Toby, Albie and Ben more that the protagonist Rafe. I loved the author's style of writing simple yet very powerful. Story was very captivating, interesting, really really funny and new !!. I loved all the scenes where Albie ( Lady Gaga haha) and Toby was involved. I think that's what you call true friendship where you don't have to pretend and you can be yourself. I so much wanted the same. I envy them. There must exist some people straight out from a novel It would be really wonderful (Honest and non judgemental people is this world want.) For me this book is more than YA LGBT novel, it has some very very meaningful sentences about friendship and how people like to act to be accepted and tolerated, so they start pretending to be something else ( obviously which they don't enjoy). I am in love with last line in the book " There was nothing anyone needed to accept or tolerate. We celebrated. " Though the end was not as I would have liked ( Happy Ever After) but was good. I am glad that I picked this book. Story was so simple and so powerful. I am going to read all the books written by this author. Very very much recommended.

Me encantó esta historia. El protagonista es super chistoso y los otros personajes también tienen mucho encanto. La historia tiene un lado de amor imposible (de ese con el que todos nos identificamos en alguna parte de la vida) y otro lado de aprender la importancia de la autenticidad. El primer lado les dejará un tanto insatisfechos hasta que lean la segunda parte, pero el segundo lado sí se logra muy bien. Les recomiendo mucho la segunda parte.