Rapture Practice: A True Story About Growing Up Gay in an Evangelical Family (Paperback)

Staff Reviews
I absolutely loved this debut! Like Aaron, I grew up in a conservative Christian home and my Dad was a pastor. Even though his family is much more conservative than mine, there was a lot in this book that I identified with: the desire for a concessions stand at church, the struggle to reconcile my faith with the world I live in, the fear of disappointing my parents when I wasn't as good as they wanted me to be. But Aaron's story is his own, and I loved reading about his sometimes flawed, but always loving family. I would recommend Rapture Practice to Christians and non-Christians alike; not only is it a fun, conversational read, it's an important one, and I think it will prompt interesting discussions!
— LAUREN'S STAFF PICKSDescription
Sometimes salvation is found in the strangest places: a true story.
Aaron Hartzler grew up in a home where he was taught that at any moment the Rapture could happen. That Jesus might come down in the twinkling of an eye and scoop Aaron and his family up to heaven. As a kid, Aaron was thrilled by the idea that every moment of every day might be his last one on planet Earth.
But as Aaron turns sixteen, he finds himself more attached to his earthly life and curious about all the things his family forsakes for the Lord. He begins to realize he doesn't want the Rapture to happen just yet--not before he sees his first movie, stars in the school play, or has his first kiss. Eventually Aaron makes the plunge from conflicted do-gooder to full-fledged teen rebel.
Whether he's sneaking out, making out, or playing hymns with a hangover, Aaron learns a few lessons that can't be found in the Bible. He discovers that the best friends aren't always the ones your mom and dad approve of, and the tricky part about believing is that no one can do it for you.
In this funny and heartfelt coming-of-age memoir, debut author Aaron Hartzler recalls his teenage journey to find the person he is without losing the family that loves him. It's a story about losing your faith and finding your place and your own truth--which is always stranger than fiction.
About the Author
Aaron Hartzler has written books, screenplays, and a great number of tweets. His first book, Rapture Practice is a true story about his own life, a memoir about getting kicked out of his Christian high school in Kansas City two weeks before graduation. The New York Times called Rapture Practice "effervescent and moving, evocative and tender." It was also one of Amazon's Best Books of 2013, and a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. He invites you to visit him online at www.aaronhartzler.com.
Praise For…
"This book is a miracle...Aaron Harztler sees that asking others to love you for what you are means loving them for what they are and that, furthermore, they may be as powerless as you are to change...An achingly innocent and sweetly funny book about guilt, rebellion, love, and acceptance."—Laura McNeal, National Book Honor author of Dark Water
"With a sure hand and fearless gaze, Aaron Hartzler takes aim at life's biggies--God, sex, family, and rock 'n' roll. Whether you're laughing, gasping, or crying (and at times I was doing all three), you'll always be in awe of Hartzler's openhearted and clearheaded treatment of his extraordinary life. Rapture Practice is a triumph."—Maria Semple, author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette