A humorous memoir that explores growing up in a Fundamentalist Christian home in Kansas City while questioning one's faith and finding one's place in an unusual family.
Aaron Hartzler grew up in Kansas City, mainly on the Missouri side. A writer and an actor, he splits his time between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, where he lives with his boyfriend, Nathan, and their two dogs, Charlie and Brahms. Rapture Practice is his first book. Aaron invites you to visit him online at www.aaronhartzler.com.
Praise for Rapture Practice:Nominated for the 2014 Rainbow ListNamed one of Amazon's Best Books of 2013* His story emphasizes discovery more than rebellion, and the narrative is carefully constructed to show and not judge the beliefs of his family and their community... Hartzler's laugh-out-loud stylings range from the subtle to the ridiculous...A hilarious first-of-its-kind story that will surely inspire more." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"Aaron Hartzler's memoir will captivate teens looking for a solid coming-of-age story grounded in strange truths about growing up in a religious family...Hartzler's ear for teenage dialogue is spot-on..." - Shelf Awareness"[Aaron Hatzler's] memoir is appealing because of his honesty, and forthrightness... clear and lively." - School Library JournalWhat rings very true... is the author's thoughtful search for answers to his heart's biggest questions, and his pragmatism and sense of humor on the journey. - Publishers WeeklyHartzler writes with a keen eye for detail... he is equally sure-footed describing his inner turmoil... One of the best things, however, is how lovingly Hartzler portrays his parents, even as they anger him... Readers will hope for a sequel. - BooklistHumorous and entertaining... -
Gr 9 Up-Hartzler grew up in an Evangelical Christian home, where he was taught that the Rapture might happen any minute. As he grew into his teen years, he began to question this belief and to be drawn to more worldly things-movies, rock music, plays, literature, and kissing. To a secular audience, Hartzler's parents' rules about whom he can befriend and how he can live his life may come across as draconian, but the author is open and fair about how they lived their beliefs and how they always loved him, even as their rules drove him away. Hartzler is honest about his sexual encounters with girls (and boys) and about underage drinking that happened at parties he attended. His memoir is appealing because of his honesty, and forthrightness. When writing about Evangelical Christians, he never takes on a condescending tone. He shows where his own questions led him, even as he shows how his parents saw things very differently than he did. His style is clear and lively, and he makes readers see how the questioning of his faith began, and how it grew. Readers will want to spend time with Hartzler to find out how he became true to himself and what choices he made on that journey.-Geri Diorio, Ridgefield Library, CT (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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