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stitchbooks22's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Medical content, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Blood, and Sexual content
ksuazo94's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, Body horror, Grief, and Dysphoria
Minor: Vomit
aexileigh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Transphobia, Sexism, Sexual content, and Medical trauma
jessie_h's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I have been wanting to read this book solely based on how often it has been being banned in the last year but what sold me on picking it up was that I had a student ask me questions about some things they read about gender in this book. And I was so excited to see that it was available in Kindle Unlimited!
What can I say about this memoir that hasn't already been said? It was eye-opening to read and I wish I had read it before now because I have had students and friends who I wish I could have recommended it to when they needed it. I have never really questioned my gender identity but I can see how important this graphic novel is to have on shelves for those who are. I kept thinking of specific friends who needed this book ten years ago when they were struggling with these same things. It makes me sad that it is the most banned book in the US right now.
The thing I wasn't expecting when I picked it up was how often I saw pieces of myself in this book when the author is was figuring out e were ace/aro. It was something I didn't know I needed to read.
I wish this book could be required reading. Not only so those who need it can read it but also so others can understand the struggles of others and build some empathy.
What can I say about this memoir that hasn't already been said? It was eye-opening to read and I wish I had read it before now because I have had students and friends who I wish I could have recommended it to when they needed it. I have never really questioned my gender identity but I can see how important this graphic novel is to have on shelves for those who are. I kept thinking of specific friends who needed this book ten years ago when they were struggling with these same things. It makes me sad that it is the most banned book in the US right now.
The thing I wasn't expecting when I picked it up was how often I saw pieces of myself in this book when the author is was figuring out e were ace/aro. It was something I didn't know I needed to read.
I wish this book could be required reading. Not only so those who need it can read it but also so others can understand the struggles of others and build some empathy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Dysphoria, Sexual content, Blood, Medical trauma, Acephobia/Arophobia, Deadnaming, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
inkdrinkers's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
“Sometimes I feel like my brain is a machine built by someone who lost the instruction manual.”
Gender Queer is as much a reference book on gender identity as it is a memoir. Maia Kobabe not only discusses e/em/eir pronouns and how e personally related to them once learning about the use of alternate pronouns, but also addresses an entire gamut of queer identity.
I really enjoyed this! My only qualm with it (and what docked a star for me) was that it feels incredibly disjointed at times. A lot of the timelines are chronological, but will suddenly fly back to em childhood and I was left struggling to keep up. There were more than a few times I tapped back in my phone to make sure I didn't miss a transition between thoughts/moments.
I do, however, think this is a fascinating read for anyone who has struggled with any kind of gender identity issues or sought out gender confirming actions (like painting your nails! or getting a different haircut!) because at the end of the day, it's about e becoming comfortable with eirself. I did really enjoy all the discussion and thought put into the comics about Maia growing up and experimenting and toying with labels. This is the kind of book that just deserves a place on any shelf that will be browsed by people searching for themselves and their own identities.
Content Warnings: Dysphoria, Blood (menstrual, multiple discussions), Medical trauma (pap smear, on page)
Gender Queer is as much a reference book on gender identity as it is a memoir. Maia Kobabe not only discusses e/em/eir pronouns and how e personally related to them once learning about the use of alternate pronouns, but also addresses an entire gamut of queer identity.
I really enjoyed this! My only qualm with it (and what docked a star for me) was that it feels incredibly disjointed at times. A lot of the timelines are chronological, but will suddenly fly back to em childhood and I was left struggling to keep up. There were more than a few times I tapped back in my phone to make sure I didn't miss a transition between thoughts/moments.
I do, however, think this is a fascinating read for anyone who has struggled with any kind of gender identity issues or sought out gender confirming actions (like painting your nails! or getting a different haircut!) because at the end of the day, it's about e becoming comfortable with eirself. I did really enjoy all the discussion and thought put into the comics about Maia growing up and experimenting and toying with labels. This is the kind of book that just deserves a place on any shelf that will be browsed by people searching for themselves and their own identities.
Content Warnings: Dysphoria, Blood (menstrual, multiple discussions), Medical trauma (pap smear, on page)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Blood, and Medical content
emilyhv's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Sexual content, Blood, Dysphoria, and Medical content
lycangrrl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Transphobia, Dysphoria, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Sexual content
thebookpirahna's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Medical content, and Sexual content
overlap's review against another edition
emotional
informative
fast-paced
2.5
I really wanted more from this book. Like other readers, I felt like it didn’t have a strong conclusion, and that it didn’t really extend the author’s experience beyond emself into a broader understanding of queerness and transness.
I also agree with other reviews saying that the inclusion of Tumblr culture weakens the book. Besides the short cultural relevancy of such things, I do not really need to know about the fact that you shipped two brothers with each other in a TV show, or that you wrote 1D fanfiction in college. Both of those inclusions left a bad taste in my mouth, especially the part where e “researched” for fanfiction by finding someone to make out with on a dating app. You can disagree with that, and maybe I just don’t know enough about dating life, but making out with someone as “research” felt odd to me. Do I think a memoir needs to portray the author in the best light? No! I think there’s merit to being real. But I do think when those inclusions are not super…necessary? Then it does muddle the message a bit. Additionally, the constant Harry Potter references felt odd especially considering (gestures vaguely).
I think it’s hard to draw the line between truthful memoir and a book that helps others discover themselves and see themselves. Personally, I think some clearer reflection or a stronger message or thesis would have helped this book a lot, other than just “this is me.” For example, with eir aunt’s concerns about transness and misogyny—why Not break those down for the reader??
I really wanted to like this memoir, but it felt not quite finished or concluded enough for my tastes. I enjoyed the art style and the real depiction of the author’s experience, but there were just too many missteps to overlook, and it feels very stuck in a certain time period.
I also agree with other reviews saying that the inclusion of Tumblr culture weakens the book. Besides the short cultural relevancy of such things, I do not really need to know about the fact that you shipped two brothers with each other in a TV show, or that you wrote 1D fanfiction in college. Both of those inclusions left a bad taste in my mouth, especially the part where e “researched” for fanfiction by finding someone to make out with on a dating app. You can disagree with that, and maybe I just don’t know enough about dating life, but making out with someone as “research” felt odd to me. Do I think a memoir needs to portray the author in the best light? No! I think there’s merit to being real. But I do think when those inclusions are not super…necessary? Then it does muddle the message a bit. Additionally, the constant Harry Potter references felt odd especially considering (gestures vaguely).
I think it’s hard to draw the line between truthful memoir and a book that helps others discover themselves and see themselves. Personally, I think some clearer reflection or a stronger message or thesis would have helped this book a lot, other than just “this is me.” For example, with eir aunt’s concerns about transness and misogyny—why Not break those down for the reader??
I really wanted to like this memoir, but it felt not quite finished or concluded enough for my tastes. I enjoyed the art style and the real depiction of the author’s experience, but there were just too many missteps to overlook, and it feels very stuck in a certain time period.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Medical trauma, Transphobia, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Incest
ollieoxenfree's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical trauma, Medical content, Transphobia, and Mental illness