Well, I WAS going to go to bed on time last night. I WAS only going to read for half an hour or so. Then my mother comes up the stairs, I look at the clock...quarter to one. Oops.
I was reading Thinking Straight, by Robin Reardon. I have to say, this is one of my favorite books. When Taylor comes out to his family, they ship him off to an institute called Straight to God, which will, they hope, make him realize that he is sinning and turn back to God and being straight. (The things some people come up with.) Taylor is young, intelligent, passionate, and convinced beyond a doubt that there is nothing sinful about his love for his boyfriend. Not that he's given up on religion. He simply reconciles the two. He's also arrogant. He walks into Straight to God determined to survive, but not change. But Taylor has so much to learn, about God, those around him, and himself.
I think anyone could enjoy this book, Christian or not, gay or not. If you happen to be both, you should definitely read it. But why is it my favorite book? I read a review somewhere which said the climax was a tad unbelievable. It was, just a tad. But in no way does that dampen the sheer reality of it. The emotion. Taylor is so real to me, because he is me. Intelligent, passionate, gay and proud, and arrogant.
Sometimes I think that in this day and age it is better to think too highly of yourself than too lowly. Yes, you Christians: it is possible to be too humble. Or is it yet another form of pride? These are the people who believe they are not good enough, for God or for society. These are the people who drastically change themselves to be their idea of prettier, cooler, or more righteous. These are the people who go to bed feeling like dirt because of the way they were treated that day. To escape this state, I am proud. I imagine myself better than those around me. It strikes me as very how Kurt from Glee once put it: "The only way I get through the day is with the certainty that we are superior to all of them." It isn't an exact quote because I can't find it (don't own the discs, internet is being unhelpful). If I have to be high on life first to get back to a normal level, that's what I'll do.
Off my soapbox now. Read this book. For the spiritualism? Yes. For the completely real and believable main character? Yes. For the sweet yet smokin' boyfriends? Yes.
