Favorite book of the year!

This is such a beautifully written book, it deals with heavy subjects like homophobia and lack of acceptance from parents but in a way that doesn’t bring you down, even through all there’s this element of hope carrying Julian, this sense of found family and love.
I think it does portray very well how Mexicans are (mostly) regarding toxic masculinity and colorism.
And then the romance was very well done too Julian and Matt were super cute together, and very realistic I think in how online relationships are more possible now than ever.
And the friends are the best! Lu specially was super funny.
And the narrator was outstanding!!!

2 people found this helpful

Fifteen Hundred Miles From the Sun

Trigger Warnings: Catholic school, homophobia, toxic masculinity, slurs, underage drinking, child abuse, coming out, deceased parent off page, hate crime, vandalism, internalized homophobia, cursing, parental rejection, sex

Representation: Gay, Mexican, Vegetarian, Vietnamese, Lesbian, Bisexual, Pansexual

Fifteen Hundred Miles From the Sun is the story of Jules, a high school senior, excited to leave for college next year and finally be his true self. One night after too much to drink, Jules outs himself accidentally. The story follows the aftermath of this mistake.

Overall, I felt this was a great book! Very inspiring and although the main character has to put up with way more than he should, his strength is abundantly clear. His character is flawed like anyone else, but his love for his friends is amazing. I loved how others had to continuously point out how strong he is. I also loved the name dropping! This was such a great book for fans of Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera! I got some serious Arthur from Here’s to Us vibes!

I loved all of the feelings that this story evoked. I was happy, sad, angry, laughing, crying all in one book! I thought the idea of meeting someone online and then dating them was a crazy concept, but it really has become so much more common. I could relate to this as someone who met her girlfriend on an app and did the long distance thing for a while. I also just loved how much love existed in this story! The characters showed romantic love, love for friends and family, and love for oneself. This was such an empowering part of the book!

Emotional and uplifting book for queer teens.

I loved this book! I think this book will really resonate with queer kids who may be stuck in a family situation where they do not feel safe coming out (I hope they can safely read this!) and adults who were able to be themselves once they left home. I loved the sweet and protective group of friends Julián had and the portrayal of the long distance/online relationship was very timely. This book funny, sad, emotional, and felt real. It really seemed to be specifically written for this current generation of teens, but I was able to enjoy it even with my teen years many decades behind me. It was a sex positive book with discussion between the main characters, and trusted adults in their life, about consent and safe sex.

I listened to the audiobook and while I don’t always love this narrator’s delivery, the way they did all the characters’ voices was so good.

TW: homophobia, child abuse

Please let there be a sequel

Lose yourself in a cast of intoxicatingly fun, loving, engaging and intelligent characters who are going places, knowing those places will put distance in their relationships but for the main characters might alleviate the distance between them. It's beautiful.

Wonderful LGBTQ coming of age story

I'm so happy that this book was brought up in a book club I'm in. It's not a book that was on my radar, but it's a book that I think everyone should read or listen to. It's a coming of age story for a Hispanic LGBTQ boy living in Texas that has not come out to the ones he is closest with. But there are many reasons he hasn't been able to be his true self. And at the top of the list is fear of acceptance.

Julián aka Jules has been brought up without his mother. It's been him and his dad for as long as he can remember. He has an amazing sister, but she's quite a bit older and doesn't live at home. It's just him and his dad. His dad is a firm believer in being a "macho" man. It's a part of their culture to be that way. To be feminine or to be soft is not what he wants for his son. It's wrong and he will do anything to have Jules "be a man." But at what cost?

Oh how I loved Jules and his growth in this story. His friends were AMAZING and the support they showed throughout his journey is what you would want for your own child. This isn't just a story of coming out and growing up, it's a story of friendship, love, family and finding your own family along with the ones you care about and those feelings being reciprocated.

From Jules friends in Texas, to the boy (Mat) he connects with on Twitter who lives in LA, to his sister, Jules is surrounded by love. It was pretty special to see. It's just the one person he wants to accept him that brings him down for the most part of his journey. But that's what makes this story a bit more believable. It wasn't all sunshine and roses, but shows that life isn't always perfect. And the way Julián handles his lack of acceptance brought tears to my eyes.

I hope that readers/listeners will give Fifteen Hundred Miles From the Sun a chance. It made me feel for Jules and made me absolutely fall for Mat. I loved their friendship and the way they built their relationship online first. It's so relevant and now for the ages. You can't help but love all of Jules' friends. They made his life positive and easier to handle. AND can I talk about the narrator?? He was fabulous! He captured all the characters with precision and brought the story alive. I felt the journey for this young man and everything he went through. Definitely a story you should check out if you are interested in a coming of age YA book that is real and full of life and love and ups and downs.

Lovely!

Great growing up, coming out, sweet and adorable book! Great narration! Kept me listening and having fun! :)

Happy

This book is so beautiful, I'd have liked to read this book when I a teenager.

spoilers

I loved this both from start to finish. There are emotional and physical abuse so just be advised. It is an amazing coming out story

Otra vez!! I’m listening again!

I loved this book. It really captured a piece of Texas life for a queer person. I love the optimism of love and the truth of hurt and pain. Jonny writes with great detail and passion. I loved his references.

Avi, really is a great performer as well. I felt the pain, hate and joy from the characters with his performance.

AMAZING

This book is brilliant. I felt so many emotions while reading. Avi Roque is a wonderful narrator!