Thinking Straight
If only Taylor Adams had kept on lying to his parents, none of this would have happened. He wouldn’t have been shipped off to Straight to God, an institution devoted to “deprogramming” troubled teenagers and ridding them of their vices—whether those vices are drugs, violence, or—in Taylor’s case—other boys.
At Straight to God, such thoughts—along with all other reminders of Taylor’s former “sinful” life—are forbidden. Every movement is monitored, privacy is impossible, and no one—from staff to residents—is quite who they first appear to be. There’s Charles, Taylor’s clean-cut roommate, desperate to leave his past behind…Nate Devlin, a handsome, inscrutable older boy who’s alternately arrogant and kind…gorgeous, secretive Sean, who returns to Straight to God each year to avoid doing prison time for drugs. Here, where piety can be a mask for cruelty and the greatest crimes go unpunished, Taylor will learn more than he ever dreamed about love, courage, rebellion, and betrayal—but the most surprising lessons will be the truths he uncovers about himself.
This smart, insightful novel presents a compelling exploration of the journey from boy to man and a testament to the strength that comes with accepting both who we are and whom we love.
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“Thinking Straight is an indictment of dogma and fundamentalism, a vindication of the power of love, and a fresh interpretation of being Christian and gay in the 21st century.” (Mark Kendrick, Author of Desert Sons)
“Reardon obviously did her homework on this issue; everything about Straight to God has the ring of truth to it. Thinking Straight is engrossing and compelling, with terrific dialogue and characters who nearly leap off the page.” (Todd Burger, independent critic)
“Thinking Straight needs to be read by every pastor, priest, and rabbi actively engaged in ministry today, as well as being required reading in every seminary in the country.” (The Reverend Reid D. Farrell, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church)
