Title: Binge
Author: Tyler Oakley
Release date: October 20, 2015
Whether you’ve heard of the internet sensation that is Tyler Oakley or not, I highly recommend you pick up his book. I did not buy a physical book, instead opting to purchase the audio book mostly because the author himself narrated the whole thing. While Binge is meant to serve as Tyler’s memoirs up to now, it is an incredibly relatable read (or listen if you buy the audio book like me) to any millennial today. Tyler opens up about his eating disorder at a very young age, being a child of divorce with both parents eventually remarrying, coming out to his friends and family, heartbreak in a college relationship, overworking yourself and even about being in an abusive relationship; topics that many young people can relate to.
In this collection of essays about his life there is one that stood out the most to me; consequently it is also the longest one in the book. In this essay, he talks about his college relationship with a fellow student who struggled with accepting their sexual orientation and staying in the closet. This is possibly the most personal essay in the entire book and my biggest arguing point as to why I suggest you invest in the audio book. Listening to Tyler actually read this essay aloud, you can hear the emotion in his voice as he fondly remembers the best parts of his relationship with Adam but you can also hear the sadness as he recounts the visits to Adam’s home town of Marquette, Michigan and having to play the role of “his college buddy” instead of his boyfriend. While not everyone can relate to dating a closeted person, many of us can relate to having dated someone who essentially treated us like their “dirty little secret” because for one reason or another, they didn’t want to go public with your relationship.
Serious topics aside, Binge also has various hilarious moments; made even more so hilarious via Tyler’s dramatic readings in the audio book.(Ex: After an “adult sleepover”, he and his roommate found that Tyler’s hookup took all of their hair products) This book is full is great one liners and stories that will have you bursting out in fits of laughter, making everyone on the subway or bus looking at you like you’re crazy.
For anyone that has struggled or continues to struggle with body image issues, this book is for you. For anyone that is questioning their sexuality and doesn’t know how to deal with it, this book is for you. For anyone who wants a book that they can read and just think “this guy totally gets me!” this book is most certainly for you too.
You can purchase his audiobook or physical copy here.