Not sure I posted this topic in the correct thread. If I didn't, mods, please feel free to move it to the appropriate one. ;D
So I was wondering if anyone here could recommend me some really good transgender themed books targeted to trans people. I have read about three, two of which I have completed. But I think they were more geared towards cisgendered folks. The one I am reading now, simply titled Transgender People, is one I would not recommend to a transgender person because while it does contain very supportive text within its pages, it also shows the ugly side of this issue that originates from the stigma, fear, ignorance and prejudice we must all face at one time or another within a highly homophobic and transphobic society.
If ever one should read this title, I would especially advise that you avoid those types of texts and mainly focus on the ones from transgender advocates. The other two titles I read and completed are Second Son by Ryan Sallans (an FTM) and True Selves I believe by Mildred Brown, but I forgot the co-author's name. Mildred Brown is a gender therapist/psychiatrist while the co-author is a transgender advocating journalist. Major support in those, but as I said they were more for cis than trans folks.
Any ideas on good titles out there specifically targeted to peeps like us?
Thanks! :)
I only have one trans-related book in my house, and it's geared towards guys looking into bottom surgery. It is called Hung Jury: Testimonies of Genital Surgery by Transsexual Men. I haven't had time to read it yet due to end of the year busy-ness in my personal life, but it came highly recommended in several FTM Facebook groups.
I've read three of Jenny Boylan's books trans subjects and I like the first one best, she's not there. Parenting in three genders was good too.
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Quote from: FTMax on December 13, 2015, 09:53:46 AM
I only have one trans-related book in my house, and it's geared towards guys looking into bottom surgery. It is called Hung Jury: Testimonies of Genital Surgery by Transsexual Men. I haven't had time to read it yet due to end of the year busy-ness in my personal life, but it came highly recommended in several FTM Facebook groups.
I swear I saw this on Amazon before. I'm gonna have to check that one out one day.
I was hoping my public library would have some decent selection of books in this. Unsurprisingly, they do not. :(
I have a book on hold from the library right now that seemed like a possibly trans-oriented book. The sad thing is that a trans-oriented book is probably less likely to sell as a cis-oriented book. I will have to get back to you on my new read!
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Quote from: purplewuggybird on December 14, 2015, 09:20:40 AM
I have a book on hold from the library right now that seemed like a possibly trans-oriented book. The sad thing is that a trans-oriented book is probably less likely to sell as a cis-oriented book. I will have to get back to you on my new read!
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Hi Wuggy. :)
Yeah, I'd love to hear what you think about this book you are getting. I wonder if its the same title I had placed on hold. Is it titled
Becoming Nicole; The Transformation of an American Family, by any chance? Just wonderin'?
Actually no! I just looked it up from my library website, and it is "Some Assembly Required-- the not so secret life of a Transgender teen" by Arin Andrews.
There are 12 copies in my library system!! :D
Quote from: purplewuggybird on December 14, 2015, 10:58:08 PM
Actually no! I just looked it up from my library website, and it is "Some Assembly Required-- the not so secret life of a Transgender teen" by Arin Andrews.
There are 12 copies in my library system!! :D
I just finished reading this book. I enjoyed it and recommend it to young people. :)
I'm in the middle of reading Trans Selves, Trans Lives and with what I've read so far, I would recommend it. It's not written from a trans woman or a trans man point of view. It's just written from a transgender point of view.
Quote from: BeverlyAnn on December 14, 2015, 11:18:52 PM
I'm in the middle of reading Trans Selves, Trans Lives and with what I've read so far, I would recommend it. It's not written from a trans woman or a trans man point of view. It's just written from a transgender point of view.
Quote from: gennee on December 14, 2015, 11:01:21 PM
I just finished reading this book. I enjoyed it and recommend it to young people.
:)
Quote from: purplewuggybird on December 14, 2015, 10:58:08 PM
Actually no! I just looked it up from my library website, and it is "Some Assembly Required-- the not so secret life of a Transgender teen" by Arin Andrews.
There are 12 copies in my library system!! :D
Thanks, ladies for these great reads!^^
Glad to see there are titles like this out there. But I am certain I will have no choice but to resort to Amazon's library if I am to ever obtain any of these. I wouldn't mind just borrowing from the library. However, their selection of titles on such a subject is so bad its laughable.
*I'm jealous of you right now, Wuggy. ;)
The book I read was absolutely amazing, recommending it to all my gay/bi friends. It's great because it also talks about sexuality.
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Quote from: Gertrude on December 13, 2015, 03:29:14 PM
I've read three of Jenny Boylan's books trans subjects and I like the first one best, she's not there. Parenting in three genders was good too.
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I read a little bit about Jenny Boylan from a book I am borrowing out of the library called
Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family. I would highly recommend this one. It does well to give everyone an all-around perspective of what growing up trans is like.
Still, I feel like its more geared to cis people though, but at least its supportive towards trans people. :)
Hi All
I'm reading a good book by Molly Haskell it is called My Brother My Sister It is a great and true story
Lyndsey
I`m reading the book Frankly Kellie at the moment. It`s an interesting book and Kellie is an inspiring and fascinating woman
Quote from: FTMax on December 13, 2015, 09:53:46 AMI only have one trans-related book in my house, and it's geared towards guys looking into bottom surgery. It is called Hung Jury: Testimonies of Genital Surgery by Transsexual Men. I haven't had time to read it yet due to end of the year busy-ness in my personal life, but it came highly recommended in several FTM Facebook groups.
My uni system has one copy (checked out, of course), but I could have it recalled. Unfortunately, I'm kind of wary of checking out trans-related books because I don't want to out myself, so I haven't tried to borrow this one. Let me know if it's useful. Maybe I'll buy a copy instead.
Quote from: Arch on March 04, 2016, 02:43:42 AM
Quote from: FTMax on December 13, 2015, 09:53:46 AMI only have one trans-related book in my house, and it's geared towards guys looking into bottom surgery. It is called Hung Jury: Testimonies of Genital Surgery by Transsexual Men. I haven't had time to read it yet due to end of the year busy-ness in my personal life, but it came highly recommended in several FTM Facebook groups.
My uni system has one copy (checked out, of course), but I could have it recalled. Unfortunately, I'm kind of wary of checking out trans-related books because I don't want to out myself, so I haven't tried to borrow this one. Let me know if it's useful. Maybe I'll buy a copy instead.
Do you mind reading PDFs? I could scan it to you :) I'm re-reading it right now before surgery, but I'd also be happy to mail it to you after I'm done.
It is very anecdotal and all in first person narrative form, which, while it is nice to hear, can be read on any bottom surgery support group. It's nice to have it all in one package though.
I might just go ahead and request this book from the library at some point, Max. I haven't decided. I'm not in any big hurry.
I once read The Phallus Palace, but before I knew what I wanted downstairs. Anyway, it's over ten years old and must be out of date.
Quote from: Gertrude on December 13, 2015, 03:29:14 PM
I've read three of Jenny Boylan's books trans subjects and I like the first one best, she's not there. Parenting in three genders was good too.
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Totally agree! I recommend the first one also. Good read.
Trans By Juilette jaques
The Squirrel Cage
Conumdrum Jan Morris
Second Serve Renee Richards Story
... a few more that are not worth a mention.
Some good fiction are:
I am J by Chris beam; it touches on a few different topics but is centered around the trans main character J
Beautiful music for ugly children; another good one that also has at least one not-so-accepting family member
I haven't read the rest but I have them and have heard good things:
The pants project
The other boy
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I have read a number of books, but one of the best is an inexpensive book for kids between 9 to about 12 in age called George by Alex Gino. Any mtf wanting a bit of a jog to their memory of a lost childhood could read this. If you want kids to have access to transgender themes and maybe understand some of us a little better then this would be near or at the top of my list.
I've been reading Janet Mock's Redefining Realness, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it so far but it's definitely written for a cis audience. Periodically she takes time to step out of her story to explain things. It's still a heartwarming and thoroughly empowering story, I feel. She's also written a second book, Surpassing Certainty, but I haven't gotten to that one yet.
My therapist has also recommended Whipping Girl, and A Safe Girl to Love, the latter being a collection of short stories. Again, I haven't gotten to these yet. I'd be interested to hear from someone who has.
I'd like recommendations for books about late transitions. I'm 28, which isn't terribly old, but I feel like most of the stories I hear are about transitions during teenage or middle-aged years.
While I'm asking, I'd like recommendations for books about overcoming internalized transphobia. I feel like my biggest obstacle right now is myself.
Quote from: Batrachiarch on August 31, 2018, 06:48:36 PM
I've been reading Janet Mock's Redefining Realness, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it so far but it's definitely written for a cis audience. Periodically she takes time to step out of her story to explain things. It's still a heartwarming and thoroughly empowering story, I feel. She's also written a second book, Surpassing Certainty, but I haven't gotten to that one yet.
My therapist has also recommended Whipping Girl, and A Safe Girl to Love, the latter being a collection of short stories. Again, I haven't gotten to these yet. I'd be interested to hear from someone who has.
I'd like recommendations for books about late transitions. I'm 28, which isn't terribly old, but I feel like most of the stories I hear are about transitions during teenage or middle-aged years.
While I'm asking, I'd like recommendations for books about overcoming internalized transphobia. I feel like my biggest obstacle right now is myself.
I am not sure if you have read this one.
She's Not There
A Life in Two Genders
By Jennifer Finney Boylan
It was a good read and she talks about being in her early to mid twenties (I think.) :laugh:
Internalised transphobia can be very complicated and I would suggest finding someone who you trust to talk about it with. For myself it came back to self acceptance and self love. I had to learn to love myself but before I could do that I had to accept that I was Transsexual. That in itself took a lot of time and hard work but once I was able to do that I was also able to be more accepting of others.
Everyone deals with these things differently sometimes seeing other trans people reminds us of our own flaws and vulnerability. Its different for everyone. You can get past it if you want to, it may just take some time.
Hope you enjoy the book if you read it
Take care
Liz