I Have Something to Tell You

I Have Something to Tell You chronicles Chasten Buttigieg's journey from his youth in a conservative Michigan family through his emergence as a political spouse during his husband Pete's 2020 presidential campaign. The memoir addresses his experiences with trauma, family acceptance, and finding his identity. The book traces Buttigieg's path from struggling theater student to middle school teacher, including periods of homelessness and personal hardship. His account includes meeting Pete Buttigieg and their courtship, followed by their high-profile marriage and thrust into the national spotlight during the presidential primary campaign. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Buttigieg examines his role as a political spouse and LGBTQ+ advocate while maintaining his own distinct voice and career. The narrative covers both intimate family moments and public experiences during the campaign. This memoir stands as a testament to authenticity and resilience, exploring themes of self-discovery, family relationships, and the intersection of personal identity with public life in American politics.

Readers describe the memoir as honest and relatable, particularly resonating with LGBTQ+ individuals and teachers. Many note Buttigieg's conversational writing style makes complex topics accessible. Readers appreciated: - Personal stories about coming out and finding acceptance - Insights into rural Midwest teaching experiences - Behind-the-scenes look at campaign life - Perspective on dating and marrying Pete Buttigieg Common criticisms: - Writing can be repetitive - Some sections feel rushed or underdeveloped - Political content feels sanitized - Too much focus on Pete in later chapters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,900+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "His voice comes through clearly and you feel like you're having coffee with a friend" - Goodreads reviewer Critical comment: "The latter half loses focus and becomes more about observing Pete's campaign than Chasten's own story" - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 Chasten worked as a Montessori teacher and theater educator before becoming involved in politics through his marriage to Pete Buttigieg. 🌟 The book's title "I Have Something to Tell You" references both Chasten's coming out story and Pete Buttigieg's marriage proposal. 🌟 Chasten grew up in a working-class family in Traverse City, Michigan, and was temporarily homeless after coming out to his parents as gay. 🌟 The memoir reached #3 on the New York Times Best Sellers list in September 2020, during the height of the presidential campaign season. 🌟 During the writing process, Chasten maintained a teaching position while simultaneously supporting his husband's groundbreaking campaign as the first openly gay major presidential candidate.