I Can't Date Jesus

I Can't Date Jesus is a collection of seventeen personal essays by Michael Arceneaux that chronicle his experiences as a gay Black man from Houston, Texas. The essays cover his departure from Catholicism, his relationship with his family, and his navigation of dating and sexuality. The book centers on Arceneaux's pursuit of self-acceptance while reconciling multiple identities - Catholic roots, Black culture, sexuality, and Southern upbringing. His relationship with his mother, who struggles to accept his sexuality due to religious beliefs, forms a central thread throughout the collection. The essays also explore Arceneaux's professional journey as a writer and his connection to cultural touchstones, particularly his admiration for fellow Houston native Beyoncé. The book takes its title from a conversation with his mother about homosexuality and religious faith. Through humor and candor, the book examines broader themes of identity formation, religious trauma, and the search for belonging in spaces that often reject crucial parts of oneself.

Readers appreciate Arceneaux's honest, humorous take on growing up Black, gay, and Catholic in Houston. The essays resonate with many who have struggled with similar experiences of coming out and reconciling faith with identity. Readers highlight: - Raw, conversational writing style - Pop culture references and commentary - Relatable stories about family relationships - Balanced handling of serious topics with humor Common criticisms: - Some essays feel disconnected - Cultural references may date quickly - Writing can be meandering - A few readers found the tone too casual Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (240+ ratings) Book Marks: Positive Reader quote: "His voice jumps off the page and makes you feel like you're having a conversation with a friend" - Goodreads reviewer Critical quote: "The essays lack cohesion and would benefit from tighter editing" - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 Arceneaux wrote his viral Elle essay "The Student Loan Debt Crisis Is a Civil Rights Issue" which helped launch his career as a prominent cultural critic 📚 The book's title was inspired by a moment when the author's mother told him he couldn't be both gay and Christian - a conflict that becomes central to the narrative 🎵 The author has written extensively about Beyoncé for major publications and shares not just a hometown with her, but also attended the same performing arts high school (HSPVA) in Houston ✍️ This was Arceneaux's debut book and became a New York Times bestseller, paving the way for his second memoir "I Don't Want to Die Poor" published in 2020 🏆 The collection earned widespread acclaim for its fresh perspective on intersectionality and was named one of the best books of 2018 by NPR and Esquire