Scan barcode
caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A great accessible introduction to the concepts of nonbinary gender identities and the gender binary. The inclusions of Vaid-Menon's lived experiences are a nice balance with the analysis and theory. As a pocket guide, this is necessarily simplified and cursory, but I think it does an admirable job addressing a lot. The structure of answering common misconceptions and criticisms -- from the author's social media comments -- worked really well!
gentlybreakingwalls's review against another edition
3.0
I have appreciated a lot of Vaid-Menon's work. I think this was a great introduction to gender theory/identity outside of the gender binary. However, for someone who has explored this topic extensively, this was too introductory.
kat_c_h's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Such a beautiful quick read. After watching Alok speak about their gender journey on the "man enough" podcast, I had to read this book. There is so much kindness is Alok's words surrounding the exploration and acceptance journey. No one has the same exact experience with gender and its so affirming to hear their compassion towards this subject. This is an incredible resource for gender diverse folx and allies alike.
multenis's review
4.0
This book has sat on my shelf for a few months (thanks again, Anna, for getting it for me!) I treated it as a decor piece, because I was afraid to confront what was in it. So, this week I finally decided to be brave enough to read it. And not only that - I annotated it as well.
I haven’t interacted with a book like that at all. I’m glad this was my first book I annotated. Not only did I feel seen and heard, I felt free as well. Understood. My copy became even more colourful, and I can’t be happier for it. A lot of painful truths, a couple of hopeful dreams, and a lot of self-awareness, as well as marker-pointed fingers. All in all a good time.
To those who criticize this book for lack of nuance, I’d like to remind them that it is, in fact, a short work of non-fiction that tried to encompass one serious topic without going into details on all others intersectional with it. And to fault it on it is very rudimentary. If you’re looking for in-depth look into intersectional activism, perhaps don’t navigate toward pocket-sized works.
—
#3 Book for Trans Rights Readathon
I haven’t interacted with a book like that at all. I’m glad this was my first book I annotated. Not only did I feel seen and heard, I felt free as well. Understood. My copy became even more colourful, and I can’t be happier for it. A lot of painful truths, a couple of hopeful dreams, and a lot of self-awareness, as well as marker-pointed fingers. All in all a good time.
To those who criticize this book for lack of nuance, I’d like to remind them that it is, in fact, a short work of non-fiction that tried to encompass one serious topic without going into details on all others intersectional with it. And to fault it on it is very rudimentary. If you’re looking for in-depth look into intersectional activism, perhaps don’t navigate toward pocket-sized works.
—
#3 Book for Trans Rights Readathon
zenthias's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Finished within one hour. A very quick and concise read, and quite ADHD-friendly in its formatting.
My possession of this book is temporary, first handed to me through a cozy book exchange with my found family. I would honestly love to keep my own copy of this book, and I imagine doing so indefinitely, its handy presence available to me at all times in my future homes and the hands of my own future family. Now, I'm interested in more books from the Pocket Change Collective series ー I think it's a wonderful project. It brings me peace to know that there are people out there who care enough to invite change by providing more access to knowledge and practice in compassion.
It is a source of comfort in being seen, self-reassurance when it comes to embracing creative expression and transformation, and a great reminder of the world, its people and the experiences we go through. It reminds me of the importance in finding those who will accept you, in supporting each other, in the practice of being informed on various social happenings and what may befall our people who deserve kindness and freedom, and in recognizing the beauty in our human ability to treat ourselves as art waiting to be discovered.
As a non-binary artist/creative, who mainly operates on gender euphoria and feels that my "acceptable" feminine presentation in how I dress does not take away from my euphoria (mostly because I am simply comfortable with it, but also because it happens to match what society expects from my sex), it was engaging and enlightening to be reminded that my experience with gender non-conformity is not universal. I find great value in hearing out the pain of those who do not get to be themselves and share my luxury, especially when it comes to visually standing out enough to fall victim to harassment. It affirms to me, how much we need to take care of each other, and how much creativity we are capable of, if only the world was more ideal, instead of oppressive.
I'd love to know more about the author and their role in activism. I'm glad to be prompted to learn about another figure who nurtures and fights for hope with their voice!
My possession of this book is temporary, first handed to me through a cozy book exchange with my found family. I would honestly love to keep my own copy of this book, and I imagine doing so indefinitely, its handy presence available to me at all times in my future homes and the hands of my own future family. Now, I'm interested in more books from the Pocket Change Collective series ー I think it's a wonderful project. It brings me peace to know that there are people out there who care enough to invite change by providing more access to knowledge and practice in compassion.
It is a source of comfort in being seen, self-reassurance when it comes to embracing creative expression and transformation, and a great reminder of the world, its people and the experiences we go through. It reminds me of the importance in finding those who will accept you, in supporting each other, in the practice of being informed on various social happenings and what may befall our people who deserve kindness and freedom, and in recognizing the beauty in our human ability to treat ourselves as art waiting to be discovered.
As a non-binary artist/creative, who mainly operates on gender euphoria and feels that my "acceptable" feminine presentation in how I dress does not take away from my euphoria (mostly because I am simply comfortable with it, but also because it happens to match what society expects from my sex), it was engaging and enlightening to be reminded that my experience with gender non-conformity is not universal. I find great value in hearing out the pain of those who do not get to be themselves and share my luxury, especially when it comes to visually standing out enough to fall victim to harassment. It affirms to me, how much we need to take care of each other, and how much creativity we are capable of, if only the world was more ideal, instead of oppressive.
I'd love to know more about the author and their role in activism. I'm glad to be prompted to learn about another figure who nurtures and fights for hope with their voice!