David Inside Out by Lee Bantle

Rating: 3.8/5

Age R: 15+/Rated-R for sexual situations

Release Date: May 2009

Synopsis:
David Dahlgren, a high-school senior, finds solace in running with the track team; he’s a fast runner, and he enjoys the camaraderie. But team events become a source of tension when he develops a crush on one of his teammates, Sean. Scared to admit his feelings, David does everything he can to suppress them: he dates a girl, keeps his distance from his best friend who has become openly gay, and snaps a rubber band on his wrist every time he has “inappropriate” urges. Before long, Sean expresses the thoughts David has been trying to hide, and everything changes for the better. Or so it seems. In this thoughtful yet searing coming-of-age novel, Lee Bantle offers a raw, honest, and incredibly compelling account of a teenager who learns to accept himself for who he is.

Thoughts:
I really liked this book, I thought the main character was interesting and I liked him. At times I felt extremely sad for him because of the things he had to go through. Other times I wanted to yell at him and say "Why are you doing that?! You know this will only lead to heartbreak!" or something along those lines. Sigh. He's human though so of course he will do something stupid. Everyone does. This is the main reason why I liked him so much, he wasn't your average cookie cutter protagonist.
I don't know about you, but I did not like Kick and Sean. They were a-holes. Sean was way more of a butthead than Kick though. Those characters remind me that some people deserve a big kick in the face. I'd tell you why I feel that way but I don't want to give away spoilers. Sorry. You're not supposed to love them or anything so it's not something awful.
I didn't completely love this book because it was so short. I understand that the length may not matter at times but for this book it did because the story could have been so much better with more details. I didn't get to find out as much as I wanted to about David. Everything seemed to happen quickly and not necessarily in a good way. Then it just ended. I wanted more! Some of the characters just didn't seem that real to me which kind of irked me. If I had known more about them it most likely would have helped, especially with the protagonist.
For it's few flaws I still really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it especially to those who would not mind that things that I didn't particularly like. Go read! :D Before that though read those quotes. The last one is my absolute favorite.

Quote/s:

"We didn't say anything for a long time, but that's what made it special. Just Mon and me, side by side, listening to a few chirping birds and watching the world go by."

"1. Do not look at male bodies! Especially ------'s. Practice mind control. Think of Halle Berry instead.
I opened the drawer, found a fat rubber band, and put it on my wrist. Then I snapped it. That would do the trick.
2. No more solo sex. Unless you think about girls.
3. Hang out more with real men. Like -------. Bonus points if ------'s dad takes you fishing again.
4. Fall in love with a girl."


"Hormones are ruining my life."

"Did you ever want to be a woodchuck pawing away at the cold, crumbling earth, burying yourself for a long, long sleep? Disappearing so no one could see you or touch you or hurt you?"

YOU WILL ENJOY READING THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE/ARE INTERESTED IN:
-homosexuality
-coming out
-humor
-sad stories
-short reads
-Lee Bantle (also author of Diving for the Moon)

Interested in the book? Buy it here (Amazon) or your local bookstore.

Be sure to come back in an hour to read the Q&A and Giveaway with the author, Lee Bantle
:0 <--that's you gasping