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It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living Audiobook
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(4.01) - 818 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Every story can change a life.
Growing up isn’t easy. Many young people face daily tormenting and bullying, making them feel like they have nowhere to turn. This is especially true for LGBT kids and teens who often hide their sexuality for fear of being bullied. Without other openly gay adults and mentors in their lives, they can’t imagine what their future may hold. In many instances, gay and lesbian adolescents are taunted—even tortured—simply for being themselves.
After a number of tragic suicides by LGBT students who were bullied in school, syndicated columnist and author Dan Savage uploaded a video to YouTube with his partner, Terry Miller, to inspire hope for LGBT youth facing harassment. Speaking openly about the bullying they suffered as teenagers and how they both went on to lead rewarding adult lives, they launched the It Gets Better Project YouTube channel and initiated a worldwide phenomenon. With over six thousand videos posted and over twenty million views in the first three months alone, the world has embraced the opportunity to provide personal, honest, and heartfelt support for LGBT youth everywhere.
It Gets Better is a collection of expanded essays and new material from celebrities, everyday people, and teens who have posted videos of encouragement, as well as new contributors who have yet to post videos to the site. While many of these teens couldn’t see a positive future for themselves, others can. We can show LGBT youth the levels of happiness, potential, and positivity their lives will reach if they can just get through their teen years. By sharing these stories, It Gets Better reminds teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone—and it WILL get better.
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"I love The Trevor Project and any other project which addresses bullying. This book is a transcript of some of the many videos Dan Savage received in response to his video project, "It Gets Better". The campaign was in response to a rash of publicized suicides committed by gay teenagers. This book is heartbreaking, poignant, exhilarating, and inspiring. People of all races, religions, ages, cultures, gender and sexuality have responded with their own videos of how yes, school can suck but it's not forever. As a survivor of harsh bullying in middle school I can only add that it's true; It gets better."
— Jamie (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“A masterstroke…Revolutionary!”
— Armistead Maupin, author of Tales of the City -
“Surely we can’t do enough to prevent the tragedy of teen suicide, and I hope every library serving teens will make this book available to their readers.”
— Library Journal -
“Particularly noteworthy are essays from President Obama and David Sedaris, and a bilingual entry from a Mexican student now living in Canada…A resource every library should have on hand.”
— Booklist -
“Narrators Paul Garcia and Marguerite Gavin emotionally connect with listeners as they deliver this impassioned rallying cry for understanding LGBT children and teens. Both narrators handle horrific stories of bullying so relentless it led to suicides with quiet dignity and heartfelt sorrow that never cross into the maudlin…Garcia employs a wry humor that helps lighten the mood, and Gavin’s vocal sweetness invites empathy. Both narrators make this an outstanding listening experience.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
It Gets Better Listener Reviews
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" Great book. A great gift for anyone struggling with bullying for any reason. Lots of contributors from all walks of life. A great gift, period. "
— Colleen, 2/19/2014 -
" Okay, it's another book that's just a collection of content that already exists online. (Even worse than blog posts, these essays are video transcripts that lose a lot off screen and are in need of copyediting.) With that said, it's an incredible, important, humanitarian project. The book is both a touchstone of shared experience for the GLBT community, and a tremendous resource for queer youth. There should be a copy on the shelf at every library. "
— Matthew, 2/4/2014 -
" So Inspirational! This book is a must read for everyone! "
— Angela, 2/2/2014 -
" If you haven't seen the It Gets Better videos then I urge you to head to itgetsbetter.org and check it out. This book is the literary version of the site. The project has saved lives and the book profits go to help LGBT programs. "
— Bradley, 1/26/2014 -
" Beautiful and moving. A definite recommend to any LGBT youth. "
— Scott, 1/3/2014 -
" I enjoyed this book. In sorry it has to be written. I'm saddened that in a country built on diversity, we can't treat everyone as we would want to be treated. It should be read by everyone just to remember how to act like a responsible human. "
— AnnieM, 1/2/2014 -
" I would strongly recommend everyone to read this-either to get tips on how to be a supportive ally or to give hope to LGBT teens. Should be a book club for all educators. "
— Histteach24, 12/24/2013 -
" Great for individuals in the LGBTQ population who need a little extra support and love... I plan on using some of the stories in session... "
— Kristina, 9/12/2013 -
" I listened to the audio book. Very powerful, personal histories. Great inspiration. I wish the stories were read by the actual people but I suppose I could go to the website and watch their videos instead. This is an important piece that everyone should read. "
— Jean, 8/11/2013 -
" I completely fell in LOVE with this book. It co-insides with the Trevor Project and brings love and hope to those who are bullied for their sexuality... though its a must read for anyone one... kid or adult... looking for love and hope to know... no matter what happens in life... IT GETS BETTER!!! "
— Keri, 5/14/2013 -
" President Obama's entry starts the book, and it had me crying by the second sentence. There are hundreds more like that. Just like the you tube videos, it gives hope. "
— Starasia, 12/16/2012 -
" A little bias coming from me (given that I'm in it) but truly a good read, a very touching and full of inspirational essays. This should be at the libraries in every high school. "
— Alex, 10/2/2012 -
" A book that I will be proud to put on my classroom library bookshelf next year. "
— Dominic, 9/19/2012 -
" My full review can now be found on Pajiba. "
— Sara, 12/26/2011 -
" This book is very, very powerful. It's an emotional read because it speaks to the true experience many LGBTQ teens have in high school. It also speaks to the true experience of most people in high school. Everyone should read this book. "
— Julia, 7/27/2011 -
" Beautiful and moving. A definite recommend to any LGBT youth. "
— Scott, 6/9/2011 -
" I loved this book. It's also a signed copy by Dan. It was interesting to read more essays by some of the people that have posted videos on the Youtube site. "
— Jaime, 6/5/2011 -
" I laughed, I cried. What an awesome project! Kudos to those who contributed essays. "
— Sarah, 5/28/2011 -
" i was talking to my friend about reading this, and he said they might as well have called it "the i hope you like getting mistyeyed, pete project" which i think goes for all of us. "
— Lauren, 5/16/2011 -
" A book that I will be proud to put on my classroom library bookshelf next year. "
— Dominic, 5/15/2011
About the Authors
Dan Savage is an author, journalist, and activist widely known and appreciated for his mordant wit, political commentary, and commonsensical approach to all manner of sexual issues. He is the author of the internationally syndicated column “Savage Love” and the editorial director of The Stranger, a weekly newspaper in Seattle. His writing has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, the op-ed pages of the New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Salon.com, Nest, Rolling Stone, The Onion, and many other publications. He lives in Seattle, Washington, with his husband Terry Miller.
Marguerite Gavin is a seasoned theater veteran, a five-time nominee for the prestigious Audie Award, and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones and Publishers Weekly awards. She has been an actor, director, and audiobook narrator for her entire professional career. With over four hundred titles to her credit, her narration spans nearly every genre, from nonfiction to mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and children’s fiction. AudioFile magazine says, “Marguerite Gavin…has a sonorous voice, rich and full of emotion.”
About the Narrators
Richard Powers has published thirteen novels. He is a MacArthur Fellow and received the National Book Award. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for The Overstory, and Bewilderment was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Marguerite Gavin is a seasoned theater veteran, a five-time nominee for the prestigious Audie Award, and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones and Publishers Weekly awards. She has been an actor, director, and audiobook narrator for her entire professional career. With over four hundred titles to her credit, her narration spans nearly every genre, from nonfiction to mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and children’s fiction. AudioFile magazine says, “Marguerite Gavin…has a sonorous voice, rich and full of emotion.”