I started a new job on the 28th and it is changing the trajectory of my Cannonba11 Read already. Lunch is an incredibly social time unlike my old gig where lunch was always guaranteed 45 minutes of reading time. I also stare at a computer screen for most of the day, unlike before, so I keep delaying writing my reviews. But I love you guys and have missed this little community so I’m trying to get back into the swing of things!
I have been listening to a lot of YA on my commute lately and first up is Autoboyography. Which I read two weeks ago so bear with me if I am foggy on the details.
Tanner Scott and his family moved deep into Mormon territory three years ago. Prior to their relocation Tanner was an out a proud bisexual teenager in California but his family, particularly his formerly Mormon mother, worry about how his sexuality will be viewed in Utah so he goes back into the closet. I saw a lot of love on Goodreads for Tanner’s family and their unwavering support but I actually couldn’t stand them! I understand that his mother had bad experience with Mormonism and feared moving her bisexual son deep into Joseph Smith territory but her shoving him back in the closet was infuriating! Even his best friend, Autumn, is unaware of his sexual orientation despite not being conservative or Mormon.
Anyway, now a high school senior Tanner finds himself in a completely unbelievable senior writing seminar where he is supposed to write a book from start to finish during the semester. The TA, which is not something high school classes have, is a boy named Sebastian whose novel from the previous year scored a book deal. He is also completely dreamy and Tanner falls head over heels in love with him for no discernible reason.
“He shakes his head, and I think this moment, right here, is when it really hits me that Sebastian’s identity isn’t queer. It’s not gay. It’s not even soccer player or boyfriend or son. It’s Mormon.”
It doesn’t take long for Tanner to realize Sebastian is gay and the two form a clandestine relationship that becomes the basis for Tanner’s book, which becomes a problem as the deadline for turn in approaches. Since Tanner isn’t out to his Utah friends and Sebastian is closeted there are a lot of obstacles they must overcome and they can’t really confide in anyone so Tanner begins to ignore the other relationships in his life. There is a big focus on Mormonism, not only as a hindrance to Tanner and Sebastian’s relationship, and it is clear the authors (Christina Lauren is the pen name for the writing duo of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings) have a preexisting relationship with the church.
The more I write and remember the more stars I remove from my overall review… This book has a lot of good ideas, in particular the realistic portrayal of bisexuality, but I wasn’t crazy about the execution.
2.5 Stars