Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transgender talk => Topic started by: Jacqueline on May 11, 2015, 12:30:57 PM

Title: Best Books for Questioning Transgender People
Post by: Jacqueline on May 11, 2015, 12:30:57 PM
Don't know if this has shown up before.

I am trying to make my way through a lot of questions. As I am middle aged, the questions have never come to the forefront till now. It has kind of rocked my world askew.

I have been reading a few books, tons of articles and recently become active here. Does anyone have suggestions of good well written books to help relate to or question inner gender and how to proceed?

So grateful for any suggestions,

Joanna
Title: Re: Best Books for Questioning Transgender People
Post by: Eveline on May 11, 2015, 04:02:22 PM
Joanna, there are a number of good books out there.

Janet Mock's Redefining Realness (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476709130/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1476709130&linkCode=as2&tag=sptr-affiliate-20&linkId=6OA754O4KOBYAXJB) is excellent (our review is here (https://www.susans.org/2015/02/22/redefining-realness-my-path-to-womanhood-identity-love-so-much-more-by-janet-mock/)), as is Jenny Boylan's She's Not There (http://www.amazon.com/Shes-Not-There-Life-Genders-ebook/dp/B00A9ET4UE/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8), which is kind of a classic now...
Title: Re: Best Books for Questioning Transgender People
Post by: Laura_7 on May 11, 2015, 04:21:48 PM
You could have a look at
amazon dot com/The-Transgender-Guidebook-Successful-Transition/dp/1461006201/ref=cm_rdp_product

and keep in mind this review:
amazon dot com/review/R2H3XZBI38U2HM/
If you have a feeling its a bit daunting for the beginning you might start by reading stories from other people...

this is an example for ftm:
amazon dot com/Second-Son-Transitioning-Toward-Destiny-ebook/dp/B00FZ1MB1K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

and this for mtf:
amazon dot com/No-Maybe-Yes-Living-Truth/dp/0986300306/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8


just a word of caution...
this can really move emotions...
if you feel like it, reach out...
you can call a helpline for example:
glbthotline dot org/hotline.html
(they also have a chat)

*hugs*
Title: Re: Best Books for Questioning Transgender People
Post by: Jacqueline on May 11, 2015, 04:30:16 PM
Funny you should mention that book, "No! Maybe? Yes! Living My Truth". I am about half way through it. It resonates with much of my story.

Thanks for the suggestions and the warning,

Joanna
Title: Re: Best Books for Questioning Transgender People
Post by: Laura_7 on May 11, 2015, 05:06:53 PM
Quote from: Joanna50 on May 11, 2015, 04:30:16 PM
Funny you should mention that book, "No! Maybe? Yes! Living My Truth". I am about half way through it. It resonates with much of my story.

Thanks for the suggestions and the warning,

Joanna
Well if you encounter it twice it should be a good choice :)

Do you like it so far ?
Title: Re: Best Books for Questioning Transgender People
Post by: Jacqueline on May 11, 2015, 05:31:08 PM
I am about half way through. The author had some different life experiences. Seems to have fewer reservations about splitting from his wife but they were having problems to begin with(writer admits it was mostly "his" repressed aspects). However, much of the experience is very similar to mine recently.

One thing I both like and am not so sure about is the way "he" talks about parts. It has to do with their approach to psychology. Breaking up the aspects of the personality into parts. There are parts he calls "him" and parts he calls "her". It is fascinating to read about "her" feeling and reactions of screaming, crying, talking and mostly hiding inside the mind. It is a story at this point of who is in control.

At first, I thought it was too detached and was not sure I could empathize. However, as it goes on, the more I think about it, the more it strikes me that it may be accurate to me as well. I never felt I was a girl when I was little. I am 50 and am starting to remember dreams of this girl that I could never see the face of. I also have always had a fascination with the song "Shiloh" by Neil Diamond that recently makes me wonder if I reinterpreted it to fit myself.

Sorry, getting scattered. I think it's pretty good.

thanks,

Joanna
Title: Re: Best Books for Questioning Transgender People
Post by: Jacqueline on May 11, 2015, 05:32:06 PM
Oh and to define. I kept using the male pronouns because that seems to be who is in charge so far.

Joanna
Title: Re: Best Books for Questioning Transgender People
Post by: Laura_7 on May 11, 2015, 05:45:42 PM
Quote from: Joanna50 on May 11, 2015, 05:31:08 PM

At first, I thought it was too detached and was not sure I could empathize. However, as it goes on, the more I think about it, the more it strikes me that it may be accurate to me as well. I never felt I was a girl when I was little. I am 50 and am starting to remember dreams of this girl that I could never see the face of. I also have always had a fascination with the song "Shiloh" by Neil Diamond that recently makes me wonder if I reinterpreted it to fit myself.


:)
It seems it is helpful.

Wish you fun in further exploring :)

hugs
Title: Re: Best Books for Questioning Transgender People
Post by: CarlyMcx on May 11, 2015, 07:56:17 PM
I am about 40% through "No! Maybe? Yes! Living My Truth."  While it is a good book and well written, if you are interested, I suggest you get it now.  I found nothing in the book to indicate that the author obtained permission from the owners of the Beatles' song catalog, the Rolling Stones, etc. to use or quote their lyrics.

So there is a possibility that, like a lot of interesting things on the interwebs, it might disappear due to someone filing a copyright notice.  This is something that Amazon is real touchy about.

But like I said, good book.  Get it while it lasts.