Hola Papi
How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons
by John Paul Brammer
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Pub Date Jun 08 2021 | Archive Date Jan 12 2024
Description
“A master class of tone and tenderness.” —The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)
“Should be required reading.” —Los Angeles Times
The first time someone called John Paul (JP) Brammer “Papi” was on the gay hookup app Grindr. At first, it was flattering; JP took this as white-guy speak for “hey, handsome.” But then it happened again and again…and again, leaving JP wondering: Who the hell is Papi?
Soon, this racialized moniker became the inspiration for his now wildly popular advice column “¡Hola Papi!,” launching his career as the Cheryl Strayed for young queer people everywhere—and some straight people too. JP had his doubts at first—what advice could he really offer while he himself stumbled through his early twenties? Sometimes the best advice comes from looking within, which is what JP does in his column and book—and readers have flocked to him for honest, heartfelt wisdom, and more than a few laughs.
In this hilarious, tenderhearted book, JP shares his story of growing up biracial and in the closet in America’s heartland, while attempting to answer some of life’s most challenging questions: How do I let go of the past? How do I become the person I want to be? Is there such a thing as being too gay? Should I hook up with my grade school bully now that he’s out of the closet? Questions we’ve all asked ourselves, surely.
¡Hola Papi! is “a warm, witty compendium of hard-won life lessons,” (Harper’s Bazaar) for anyone—gay, straight, and everything in between—who has ever taken stock of their unique place in the world.
Advance Praise
“With the briny wit of David Rakoff, the illuminated-from-within wisdom of Cheryl Strayed, and the singular perspective that can only come from JP Brammer, ¡Hola Papi! takes the anxiety-riddled questions of being and otherness and answers them with an expansive openness that will take your breath away. Every essay in this book is revealing and personal and at times cathartic or bracing and, above all, infused with an endless reserve of compassion. In this way, ¡Hola Papi! is life-giving. It's also life giving as in ‘this book gave me life!’ if that's how you role. Oh, my heart! My feelings! My soul! This book, which is also so richly funny and well-observed, is a gift to any reader who wants to be reminded of what an extraordinary and complex thing it is to be alive. It is an invigorating and vital read.”
—R. ERIC THOMAS, bestselling author of Here for It, or How to Save Your Soul in America
“I've been a fan of JP Brammer’s for years now, following him from platform to platform in a non-creepy way, of course, always happy to shell out money for the privilege, but his free content online is more than we deserve. I do this because I have been consistently amazed at Brammer’s capacity for satire and seriousness, the way his insights lay bare what I was feeling sometimes before I knew it, and how he can break your heart as he makes you laugh. That he does all of this under the auspices of helping anyone is...Well, we are lucky to live in the era of JP Brammer. That really is all."
—ALEXANDER CHEE, author of How to Write an Autobiographical Novel
“I have for years looked and hoped to find a writer who could write about being (among other things) Mexican-American in a way that not only felt vital and delicate and funny and tender, but also that made me feel more connected to people who did not happen to look like me. John Paul, it would appear, is exactly that. He has a remarkable ability for writing in a way that makes it feel like he's crawling around inside your head, opening up the old wooden chests and trunk that you were never quite smart enough to figure out how to unlock. I loved ¡Hola Papi!. I'm certain you will too.”
—SHEA SERRANO, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Basketball (And Other Things)
“John Paul is so good that he makes me forget I'm reading. I sit down with ¡Hola Papi!, and ten minutes later, I'm crying, sending the funniest lines to my friends, and somehow feeling better about humanity. He's a beautiful writer. But he's also a really welcoming writer. Like, his work invites you in. This book reflects that perfectly.”
—RAINBOW ROWELL, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eleanor & Park
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781982141493 |
| PRICE | $26.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 224 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Heather F, Bookseller
I know Brammer's work from his amazing Twitter account as well as his column, so I was excited about this book. I have to say, though, that the depth and profundity of this volume really blew me away. I was expecting humor (which there is tons of) and some pathos (which, yes), but I wasn't expecting to cry by the end. As a white cis woman, this book isn't written for me (which is great--way fewer books should be written for my demographic), but that didn't impede my ability to appreciate it in the slightest. Also, some of the questions are really 'for' everyone/anyone, and Brammer's capacious, empathetic way of thinking about the world really shines through. Not only can Brammer write, he can convey deep philosophical truths pithily and unpretentiously...this book is a revelation.
Catherine M, Reviewer
In a year full of disappointments, you can be sure that JP Brammer's Hola Papi!, is not one of them. This book is everything: heartbreaking, funny, real, witty, and so much more. Brammer, best known for his syndicated advice column of the same name, offers a similar concept of advice-giving, but through his own life stories. The setup is perfect, told in "Dear Reader" format without being cliche or cheesy, and it's refreshingly honest. He shares his life as a member of the LGBTQA+ community, a Mexican-American, and someone who has spent much of his life in search of answers, happiness, and truth. The writing is beautiful and tangible, placing you alongside Brammer as he shares moments from his childhood in Oklahoma to New York City. Every chapter is a conversation that you will want to be a part of, taking you outside your comfort zone at times to challenge or understand everything from mental health, family ties, and heritage, to sexuality. It is a privilege to be privy to the many private thoughts and moments that Brammer shares in his own unique way, and to get glimpses into the life of someone who has seen success and failure (and is willing to share both!) Hola Papi! and Brammer are deserving of all the accolades, and I hope that this is not the last book Brammer plans to publish! Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy- I am certain that this won't be the last time I read this book and I can't wait to get my own copy when it comes out.
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