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Binding: PaperbackDewey Decimal Number: 813 EAN: 9780758219282 ISBN: 0758219288 Label: KENSINGTON Manufacturer: KENSINGTON Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 304 Publication Date: May 06, 2008 Publisher: KENSINGTON Studio: KENSINGTON Related Items: Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Excellent bookI've recently finished Robin Reardon's "Thinking Straight," a book which falls under the Young Adult category, though I would recommend it only for teens in the upper age range, due to strong language and sexual situations. The story is told from the viewpoint of Taylor, a teen who is sent to an institution to be "de-gayed" after he comes out to his parents. I was particularly interested in this story, because I've heard some truly horrendous reports detailing the methods used by these "ex-gay" ministries, and was curious as to how such a programme would be depicted in a work of fiction. The daily routine of the programme which Taylor is forced to join sounds very much like what I've seen and read about these groups in the past, so it seems that the author really did do her research. The storyline was quite interesting, and it really did make me think about the many viewpoints out there (both religious and secular) which deal with what it means to be gay. There are a lot of shades of grey in this book; the situations discussed are not broadly drawn in black and white. In fact, in the end I did not completely agree with everything the author had to say about faith and homosexuality, but I did feel like I had learned a lot. And I had grown to care about the characters quite a bit as I read. If there is a drawback to this book, it occurs in the last few chapters, in which the storyline veers wildly into melodrama. Now, what takes place certainly is within the realm of possibility---and surely does make for exciting reading! However, the book up to that point was very realistic and low-key in tone, so the sudden shift was a bit disconcerting. Also, I would say that one aspect of the plot, at the very end, seemed to me to be rather unlikely; however, I can't go into that without providing major spoilers. Still, overall I would classify these as minor problems that did not greatly decrease my overall opinion of the book as a whole. I liked this one, and highly recommend it with certain qualifications. Those being, the reader should be aware that the book contains a few rather frank scenes with sexual content. And, the reader should probably have a natural interest in theology; a LOT of this book is all about theology! (I found all the discussions on the topic to be extremely interesting, but I realise that some people may have the exact opposite reaction.) The book certainly did draw me in, completely, on an emotional level; these people seemed completely real to me. Rating: - one of the coolest books i've read in a long time...This book is amazing. It didnt take long for me to get into it at all, and i really enjoyed how the issues of both homosexuality and Religion are combined. At first these issues clash, (you cannot be close to god if you are gay) but then, it changes. The book allows you to re-evaluate the points in the bible that are against homosexuality, and gives you a much more open and loving idea about what the bible may be saying instead on this issue. Very enjoyable book...... Rating:  - Not as good as Secret EdgeI bought this after reading Robin Reardon's first novel, A Secret Edge. This is a harder read, and not nearly as good. It takes a long time to get going, and only really gets exciting at the end. It's also a bit preachy....The setting of the book - a religious group, Straight to God, who 'straighten' people out - gets a bit boring. I was going to give up on this book, but, although it was hard work at times, it did get better. But not a classic. Here's hoping Reardon's 3rd novel is more like the first!  Try searching the Internet for "Thinking Straight" or Ebay for "Thinking Straight". You might also be interested in the following great products:
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