Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up a closeted gay in a very straight world. I enjoy reading both true and fictional stories about how others grew up and came out. I decided to write about coming-out and coming-of-age because this mixture of topics just didnā€™t exist when I was a teen. The books that I have listed here are ones that I feel capture both the realism of what is, what we wished had been, and the hope of what could beā€”a world where "coming out" wouldnā€™t be necessary.


I wrote

Except for Cough Drops

By Eric Dakota,

Book cover of Except for Cough Drops

What is my book about?

It is about high schoolers navigating the treacherous hallways of schoolā€“classes, friendships, and all the other normal hurdles. Some teensā€¦

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Snow Boys

Eric Dakota Why did I love this book?

To say I enjoyed this is an understatement to the highest degree. From the first paragraph, Doyles' prose grabbed me, slapped me, and demanded to be appreciated. I laughed out loud, and I loved it. Doyles' ability to turn a phrase had me in love with his prose so much that I immediately ordered it in paperback for my shelf since I had originally purchased it as an eBook.

Speaking of "in love," thatā€™s what happened as I got to know Dean and Ben. Two very different boys with two very similar problems ā€“ both liked boys, and neither was ready for that to be known.

Coming out stories arenā€™t new, but Simon Doyle makes it feel new for me with expertly drawn characters, tightly plotted storylines, and strong dialogue. I really loved getting to know Ben, Dean, and even the prick Alex in Snow Boys!

By Simon Doyle,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Snow Boys as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

Dean Oā€™Donnell is a wallflower with a secret and a voice that could steal the show. Preferring to blend into the background at his high school, his world tilts on its axis when he is chosen for a major solo in the upcoming Christmas choir performance. His quiet life is further disturbed when he receives a Secret Santa gift, and an unexpected friendship forms.

Ben Hunter is the boy next door, well-liked but lonely. He wrestles with unspoken feelings for Dean and a family crisis thatā€™s tearing him apart. When he takes a job at the local cinema to helpā€¦


Book cover of All the Pretty Boys

Eric Dakota Why did I love this book?

I loved the mixture of third and first person that this story is told in. The main character Dillon is both fun, sad, and imminently well-drawn. His harrowing dash from Perth to Sydney, his relationships with Amy, Pastor Pete, wonderful Dixie, and Stephen, and his sheer will to be his authentic self, had me both scared and happy for him.

I loved the mixture of coming-out and coming-of-age with some thriller elements thrown in, not something that I see a lot of in coming-of-age novels.

By Jay Castelletti,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked All the Pretty Boys as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A teenager's quest for freedom leads him on the streets and into the path of a local serial killer.

15-year-old Dillon is on the run.

Until recently he enjoyed friends, family, and the safe confines of a religious cult. But when a confession ignites the wrath of his church Dillon escapes ... and he's about to discover a vast world beyond the private walls of his former life.

Once in Sydney he faces a bustling city full of dreams and nightmares. Desperate to survive, Dillon is lured to the red-light district where strangers pay for pretty boys.

Here he forgesā€¦


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Book cover of Saving Raine

Saving Raine by Marian L. Thomas,

Saving Raine is a captivating tale of resilience, redemption, and the enduring power of love, penned by the acclaimed author Marian L. Thomas.

This contemporary fiction novel chronicles the compelling journey of Raine Reynolds as she confronts heartache, betrayal, and loss. Against the vibrant backdrops of Atlanta and Paris, Raine'sā€¦

Book cover of Boy Shattered

Eric Dakota Why did I love this book?

I fell deeply for Brian and identified with him. I wasnā€™t ever a quarterback or a football player, but I was deeply in the closet in high school, all the while pining for other guys. I admired boys like Landon, unafraid to be authentic in the face of bigotry and hate.

This is a coming-out, coming-of-age story quite unlike most out there and certainly not for the faint of heart. Its subject matter is tragic and timely and frames and focuses on the coming-out and shedding of boyhood for both of the main characters. I laughed, I cried, and it was definitely better than Cats!

By Eli Easton,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Boy Shattered as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

BrianYouā€™ll make it out of here, Brian. I swear.I had everythingā€”school quarterback, popular with girls, and my dad was proud of me. I told myself it didnā€™t matter no one knew the real me. And then I nearly died. Landon saved my life. Heā€™s the bravest guy I know. He came out a few years ago, proud and fierce, and he ran into gunfire to help others. Me, Iā€™m a mess. Canā€™t even stand to be in a room with the curtains open. But hereā€™s the thing about losing it all: You get a chance to start over and beā€¦


Book cover of Pride High

Eric Dakota Why did I love this book?

I loved this book because Jay Bell has done, successfully, what authors are warned against ā€“ have a large cast of characters. Each one of his characters is fully drawn and stands apart from any of the others. I love the variety of backgrounds, cultures, and orientations; each characterā€™s thread wound expertly into the story's overall tapestry.

I was grateful to learn that there are more books in the series because I didnā€™t want the story to end when I reached the last page!

By Jay Bell,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Pride High as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Pride series is intended for mature teenagers and nostalgic adults who enjoy sex-positive stories, realistic relationships, and gorgeous guys.

Whatā€™s it like growing up in the 90s? Letā€™s ask the students of Pride High:

Anthony Cullen: My life would be perfect if I wasnā€™t in the closet. And in love with my straight best friend. Do you think heā€™ll ever notice me?

Omar Jafari: Iā€™m flunking out of most of my classes, but hey, a girl talked to me. And sheā€™s likeā€¦ insanely pretty! So maybe I should stop secretly hooking up with a dude.

Silvia Diaz: Listen, myā€¦


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Book cover of Hatching Love

Hatching Love by Heidi Matonis,

This is a story of how the human-animal bond can heal, connect and redeem us all ā€“ even possibly a very jaded ghost!

The story opens with Tomā€™s wife, Beth, receiving a shipment of duck eggs. She has watched a YouTube video and was charmed by the idea of hatchingā€¦

Book cover of Heartmates

Eric Dakota Why did I love this book?

Love gone wrong. I grew to really care about Lars (Conner... somewhat), and I turned the pages because why the love had gone wrong was a mystery until late in the novel. I thought Larsā€™ pining away over a boy he cared about but hadnā€™t talked to in three years was compelling, especially in an age where we are encouraged to "move on" or "get over it."

I loved this story and plan to read it again soon!

By Marcus Herzig,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Heartmates as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

Science, Shakespeare, and superheroes come together in this heartwarming tale of friendship, love, and second chances

This Valentine's Day, sixteen-year-old Lars Lofgren is crabby. Everyone is in love and reminding him he isn't. Things proceed from bad to worse when Connor Perry, Lars's former best friend and first crush who hasn't spoken with him in three years, starts dating social media star Jaden-Dominic Choi.

Joining an illustrious cast of characters for a school production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, the former friends suddenly find themselves back in the same social circle, but it's a complicated affair as Lars can't seem toā€¦


Explore my book šŸ˜€

Except for Cough Drops

By Eric Dakota,

Book cover of Except for Cough Drops

What is my book about?

It is about high schoolers navigating the treacherous hallways of schoolā€“classes, friendships, and all the other normal hurdles. Some teens discover that they have more dangerous problems; what happens when you are attracted to your guy friends and not girls like everyone else?

Travis moves to a new town and school in the middle of the year. He's the mysterious new kid in a new place without his parents. Travis was out to himself but not to anyone around him. Brian is a budding soccer star on the varsity team. Life is running smoothly and as expectedā€“until tragedy strikes, throwing his life into turmoil. Cory, Brian's lifelong best friend, is struggling with new feelings and new opportunities. None of their lives are happening the way they thought; nothing is the way it wasā€“Except for Cough Drops.

Book cover of Snow Boys
Book cover of All the Pretty Boys
Book cover of Boy Shattered

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