Reviews - Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality

Our identities matter. They help make us who we are and shape our outlook. Existing in them is a radical act, one that requires, in many instances, courage, hard work, and determination. I am a better person because of the experiences and insights that I've had because I'm transgender. I'm a more compassionate person than I was before I accepted that part of my identity.

This book tells Sarah McBride's story as the first openly trans person to work in the White House. It chronicles her personal journey of realising she was trans, coming out and transitioning and her professional career in politics where she has devoted herself to fighting for trans rights.

Her story is equal parts inspiring and heartbreaking integrating autobiographical elements from her life and personal experiences with the political landscape in her hometown of Delaware. It's structured chronologically with three main parts: the early days of realising she was trans, her transition and coming out story and her relationship with her late husband Andy who tragically died of cancer aged 28 in 2014.

The writing style is plain and direct, making it accessible to all readers. I personally loved the eloquence Sarah spoke with and how she struck a balance between stating the facts and sharing research but also bringing her personal perspective, experience and emotion into the picture when needed.

Her self-awareness and openness allows her to utilise her unique voice and experience to enact political change and share her wisdom with others. She adopts an intersectional and inclusive approach, acknowledging her privileges, the different types of discrimination other trans people face (e.g. black trans women) and discusses issues that are unique to trans people such as transmisogyny.

It's a very focused narrative with a lot of emphasis on politics so readers that aren't interested in American politics and are looking for a memoir that focuses more on what it means to be trans from a personal perspective, might not find what they're looking for.

There are sections of the book that went into a lot of detail about specific bills Sarah worked on, mapping these bills from beginning to end. Personally, I didn't mind this because felt it was clearly important for the author to shed light on the time, effort and struggle that goes into passing just one bill and how even after the bill has been passed there can be backlash that means the bill loses momentum or is slowly unravelled.

Overall, this is a powerful, enlightening and inspiring story of one trans woman's journey that is accessible for all readers even with the heavily political lens it adopts. Trans readers will no doubt find comfort and empowerment in seeing elements of their own lives, identities and struggles reflected here and cis readers will hopefully come away with more empathy for what it means to be trans and as an even stronger ally in the fight for trans rights.

Audiobook: I listened to the audiobook from Audible narrated by Sarah McBride herself and would highly recommend. Listening to the book narrated by Sarah herself made it feel more personal and connected me much more to the story than if I had read a physical copy.

greenleafclarke's review against another edition

3.0

While the foreword by Joe Biden was certainly indicative of the massively privileged version of the Trans experience that the author presents, hers is a greatly appreciated and poignant voice in Trans representation.

stlpapercrafts's review against another edition

5.0

emotional informative fast-paced

daphnesuen's review against another edition

4.0

This was clearly written by a politician and some stories felt fake. However, her love for her husband was very very real

samarobe's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

kieraisreading's review against another edition

5.0

informative inspiring medium-paced

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