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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Given all the transgender discussions in politics and the news, it was time for me to learn more. I appreciate how well this book discussed the author's feelings and experiences and how they affected her family, friends, and colleagues. I especially enjoyed the ten-year updates by the author, her wife, and her best friend, author Rick Russo.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
I like the writing style, just not holding my interest right now
This was really good!
I want to check out Jenny's other books, now.
For the content itself, while I am cisgendered, I felt like Jenny's story was very relatable. She had this secret that she didn't want to share, and thought that if she just tried hard enough, she could hide it, and change herself. But she couldn't. I think everyone can relate to that on some level, the feeling of not wanting to rock the boat but really having to rock the boat.
I also liked the degree of detail that she went into, such as how her impression of what it is to be a girl was different from what it ended up being like to be a woman.
I want to check out Jenny's other books, now.
For the content itself, while I am cisgendered, I felt like Jenny's story was very relatable. She had this secret that she didn't want to share, and thought that if she just tried hard enough, she could hide it, and change herself. But she couldn't. I think everyone can relate to that on some level, the feeling of not wanting to rock the boat but really having to rock the boat.
I also liked the degree of detail that she went into, such as how her impression of what it is to be a girl was different from what it ended up being like to be a woman.
I wish there were more books like this that give people insight into what it’s like for trans people. I’ve been teaching LGBT classes for a few years now, and in my experience, most people only want to know about how sex works or how the sex reassignment operation turns a person into another gender or whether it means someone is a man or a woman afterward and if it makes them gay or lesbian for whom they love. Basically, people are obsessed with the genitalia and gender rather than interested in the person for their feelings, experiences, confusions, challenges, etc. Instead of reflecting on their own feelings and extent of homophobia, most people only want to know why someone is so different than the norm and how it’s possible that they feel compelled to get the op, because it’s so inconceivable to most people. They also don’t understand that the operation a) didn’t always happen, b) is not the end goal, and c) isn’t what makes someone trans. This firsthand account of someone who came out about the truth of who she was, the enormous bravery that it took, the support that was necessary, the impact to her family, the risks to her relationships and career are all chronicled poignantly by the author. I hope everyone gets to read it and that we hear from more writers like her.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I bought this book at a library book sale here in town, and I am glad I didn't pay a lot for it. It bored me to death. I hate saying that, because the subject matter of transgender persons is a serious topic that is much in the forefront of the news and law making these days. I certainly came to appreciate the struggle of someone who feels that they are not living their true, authentic life. I have never had to feel that way before, and I cannot imagine how hard that has to be. Not to mention the sideways looks and struggles on has to face if they are not what society thinks they should be. I'm sure that this book means a lot more to people who are struggling with these issues, but I was glad to learn more about these issues that I was unaware of.
this is the first trans memoir i have read, i think
still hard to understand what it is like to be trans, and even in this book it seemed reduced to things like wanting to wear women's clothing. also having a "woman's spirit" but i am a woman and i have no idea what that means. description of the hormonal changes was pretty interesting. there was no larger discussion of gender theory
interesting: boylan describes several instances of being mistreated post-transition, but it's always for being a woman and not for being trans (maybe because her trans-ness was not that visible).
that said, this was really good. i liked the way it was written, and there were a lot of powerfully-placed anecdotes and tiny things that had meaning connected to something somewhere else in the book. fun that she went to the haverford school. also its a pretty funny book
a lot of name-dropping throughout, got a little excessive
still hard to understand what it is like to be trans, and even in this book it seemed reduced to things like wanting to wear women's clothing. also having a "woman's spirit" but i am a woman and i have no idea what that means. description of the hormonal changes was pretty interesting. there was no larger discussion of gender theory
interesting: boylan describes several instances of being mistreated post-transition, but it's always for being a woman and not for being trans (maybe because her trans-ness was not that visible).
that said, this was really good. i liked the way it was written, and there were a lot of powerfully-placed anecdotes and tiny things that had meaning connected to something somewhere else in the book. fun that she went to the haverford school. also its a pretty funny book
a lot of name-dropping throughout, got a little excessive
I enjoyed this book for heartfelt depiction of a trans woman, both before and during her transition. I am in a similar situation where I am transitioning with a cis wife who married me as a man, and I found a lot of parallels.
I think you can get some insight into how trans people's lives and relationships go.
I read the 10th anniversary one and I enjoyed the update from Jenny and the perspective from "Grace".
I think you can get some insight into how trans people's lives and relationships go.
I read the 10th anniversary one and I enjoyed the update from Jenny and the perspective from "Grace".
Fascinating insider look at a transgender life. Well written (should be since the author is a college english professor!). Well worth the read!
This books is well written and real. I can't say that I understand being trans any more than I did before I started it. I did, however, find a lot of opportunity to find empathy and dig deeper into myself.