How I Learned to Snap: A Small Town Coming-of-Age and Coming-Out Story [Hardcover]

Kirk Read (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 25, 2001

A memoir about coming out in the deep South

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kirk Read is a nationally syndicated journalist and performer whose work has appeared in more than one hundred publications, including Out, Genre, and Christopher Street. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Hill Street Press (June 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588180395
• ISBN-13: 978-1588180391
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,253,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #96 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Nonfiction > Coming Out

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Child, If You Grew Up Gay In The 80's... READ THIS!, February 5, 2002

By 

Kevinduran (Indianapolis, Indiana USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How I Learned to Snap: A Small Town Coming-of-Age and Coming-Out Story (Hardcover)

Kirk Read's first book is one of the most refreshing, entertaining books to come down the gay pipeline in quite some time. Most people will find something that they can relate to, even if they aren't gay. Part David Sedaris (the "not in-your-face" gay humor) and part Judy Blume (the coming of age part...although I don't think Judy's ever written about gay teens!), Kirk's words read like a gentle, Southern, summer breeze. He is very matter-of-fact and really does not make much of an issue out of being gay.

Some of the things that Kirk writes about might be a bit shocking for some (sex with an older guy at such a young age, for instance) but the writing is so warm and honest, that I really didn't think about how serious some of the situations were. I don't want to imply that the book makes light of these situations, because it doesn't at all.

The other thing that I loved about this book is that each chapter is quite short. It's the exact opposite of "wordy"- Kirk gets right to the heart of each story he tells. This book would be perfect for someone who likes to read a little before going to bed. I was able to read the entire book in a day.

Don't miss out on this great book! It has a permanent place on my bookshelf!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars wow, March 13, 2002

By 

Tim (Takoma Park, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How I Learned to Snap: A Small Town Coming-of-Age and Coming-Out Story (Hardcover)

Ok, so i didn't grow up in the 80's, but i'm growing up now, and i thought this book was great. I just finished it seconds ago, and I really don't know exactly how to phrase what i'm feeling, but i enjoyed it so much. it's like you get to spend 200 pages having someone interesting, wise, and experienced talking to you, and you have their undivided attention. it made me feel really great...but that's from the point of view of a person who is basically in the situation that he is discussing in the book, so i can't speak as anything but a teenager. but as a teenager...read the book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Snapalicious!, October 30, 2001

By 

Brad (Humorville) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How I Learned to Snap: A Small Town Coming-of-Age and Coming-Out Story (Hardcover)

If you enjoy some of Kirk Read's syndicated columns in the gay press, prepare for an equally insightful and amusing voice, but with a sweet anecdotal and utterly Southern charm.

Read recounts his teenhood as an ongoing process of learning, suffering and coming out bit by bit, yet he dispenses with self-tortured misery, and offers an uplifting and often hilarious take on the horrors of high school.

Read provides an updated version of the teen coming out memoir, with modern updates. It made me wonder how many other new queer kids cut out pictures of Sir Ian McKellan and put them on their lockers. Read recounts his personal activism in rural Virginia. Diet Coke, Casey Donovan, gym teachers, Judas Priest, drama club; "Child," this is a fun and uplifting account with all the style and richness of the best young adult fiction. But it's all true!