Beth Loffreda

Again, this book was... fine? It didn't do what I wanted it to do, which is not a hit against the author, but I would say it's a terrible title honestly, very misleading as to what it's about. I think the experiences and stories were interesting and maybe had it been organized as like an oral history of the aftermath of Matt Shepard's death, I would have found it more intriguing, but honestly any "analysis" was lost amid Loffreda's attempts to do the entire story "justice." I would say it wasn't a bad book, just not intellectually stimulating (but also not super relaxing.)… (more)

An even-handed look at the tragic murder of a young gay man in an isolated Wyoming town. The media went into a frenzy painting Laramie as a town full of hicks, hayseeds, and homophobes. The author is in an ideal position to comment as she lives and works in Laramie at the local college.

This is a book not so much about the murder but it's aftermath. It describes how the town mourned, remembered and changed. It's a soul-searching look at how events like this can spark a reexamination of our lives and hearts.… (more)