Hola Papi

How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons

By: John Paul Brammer

Narrated by: John Paul Brammer

LGBTQ advice columnist John Paul Brammer writes a “wise and charming” (David Sedaris) memoir-in-essays chronicling his journey from a queer, mixed-race kid in America’s heartland to becoming the “Chicano Carrie Bradshaw” of his generation.

“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 20s? 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.

©2021 John Paul Brammer. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

The personality

Amazing writing and amazing honesty that really hits home! Listening to someone else who has had similar thoughts and experiences is touching and comforting.

Loved it!

Loved listening to this!! ❤️ A friend recommended this to me. My partner and I enjoyed it.

Great listen!

This book was a great listen. There were a lot of laughs, some educational moments, and guttural sobs with some stuff that hit close to home. But a great look at this author’s experience within the gay community.

It made me feel feelings

I loved listening to this book. It felt ephemeral at times, with the author looking at bleak stories, and I would hope as the reader for some solace and an easy bright spot, mostly to be met by a shrug by the author.
His performance made him feel like a close friend, I felt like an intruder at times, but it was lovely.

Big big recommend, con mucho amor

Enlightening and entertaining.

I learned a lot from this book while enjoying many giggles. The author is a good narrator and brings these essential essays to life.

Funny and insightful

I have been following Jean Paul Brammer on Twitter and reading his Hola Papi column for a couple of years, so I was expecting for his book to be funny and insightful but I wasn’t expecting for it to be so raw and touching, JP really put himself out there and oof, it cuts deep sometimes, I really wanted to go and protect little JP. He really made me feel all he went through, it will stay with me.

Loved This!

This was an exceptional read! John Paul told many truths from his experiences. Many of these same experiences I feel a lot of gays may have gone through that grew up in the early 2000's, I am one of them. A lesson learned in this book was that experiences good or bad help us grow into the person we strive to be, which John expresses very thoughtfully through his own life. Loved this and look forward to more of his work.

Worth the listen

Good easy listening. Was able to finish in two sittings. . . . .

Brilliant

This powerful little book is a must read/listen for everyone, regardless of orientation. Highly recommended.

Coming Out

Great coming out novel. Enjoyed listening to this. Has to start and stop listening to it as it hit close to my youth. But glad I stuck with it. Looking forward to his next book