The Dark Path

It’s no surprise when Schickler (Kissing in Manhattan) recounts his inner revelation— “You’ll never be a priest”—halfway through this memoir about his years in discernment, weighing whether to pursue the life of a Catholic priest or simply to pursue beautiful women. Yet Schickler’s “raw truth” narrative—which leaves no story untold, from poignant conversations with his hardy father to kinky behavior with a hotel concierge—never fails to keep the reader on the edge of his or her seat. His seamless weaving of storytelling, dialogue, and thoughts—funny one second and heart-wrenching the next—makes this journey of belief and nonbelief unforgettable and enjoyable. “Here’s what else is bullshit, Lack-of-God. It’s bullshit that priests always told me that celibate priesthood is Something Higher,” Schickler laments one evening. This tale contains equal amounts of irreverence and holiness, and their combination makes the narrative pure. Agent: Jennifer Carlson, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner. (Sept.)