eddie__'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
kstookley's review against another edition
4.0
Comforting is the best word I can think of to describe this book. Jackson Bird's story is not groundbreaking or unusual compared to that of most trans guys, and that's something he firmly acknowledges, taking great pains to point out his particular privileges and how his personal circumstances shaped his transition. This is a calm and thoughtful explanation of a transgender male experience, a story told with compassion for a community and warmth. Personally, as someone who self-identified as a nerd long before I questioned my gender, it was nice to see another trans person with similar interests to me and an approach to life (especially since transmasculine narratives are still largely unrepresented). A book doesn't have to be groundbreaking to be good.
thereadingwren's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
You could read 100 transgender memoirs and none of them will be the same but they will all resonate with other trans people.
Jackson’s story had a lighthearted feel to it, despite some difficult situations, which I really liked. Not every trans persons life is filled with misery. It was so nice to see how many people accepted Jackson.
I really appreciate the first few pages of basically an LGBTQIA+ dictionary.
You could read 100 transgender memoirs and none of them will be the same but they will all resonate with other trans people.
Jackson’s story had a lighthearted feel to it, despite some difficult situations, which I really liked. Not every trans persons life is filled with misery. It was so nice to see how many people accepted Jackson.
I really appreciate the first few pages of basically an LGBTQIA+ dictionary.
anothersophiejones's review against another edition
4.0
I knew nothing about Jackson before I read this! I am so glad I read this and was able to hear his story. This was so educational and so funny and so heartfelt.
literarynessie's review against another edition
4.0
This was an absolutely phenomenal read. Honest, poignant, and humorous at times I found Sorted to be so utterly relatable. While I'm a cisgender person, I felt connected to the author's experience. Sorted ranks among my top favorite memoirs and may as well likely be among my Top 10 reads of 2020!
straaawbs's review against another edition
4.0
Jackson Bird's YouTube videos were really helpful for me back when I was trying to figure out if I wanted to transition or not and I always found him to be one of the trans guys I could most relate to, so I was excited to read his memoir. This was a well-written account of Jackson's early years, trying to figure out his identity, and eventually transitioning.
The info in here on being trans is pretty basic stuff - I knew it already, as will most other trans people, but it'd be good for people just starting to question their identities, and also our allies and friends/family. I honestly just think that the more well-informed, empathetic information we have out there about trans people, our lives and the issues we face, the better - and that 100% means trans people telling their own stories. So Jackson's book is a good addition to the oeuvre and does a great job of achieving what it set out to do.
The info in here on being trans is pretty basic stuff - I knew it already, as will most other trans people, but it'd be good for people just starting to question their identities, and also our allies and friends/family. I honestly just think that the more well-informed, empathetic information we have out there about trans people, our lives and the issues we face, the better - and that 100% means trans people telling their own stories. So Jackson's book is a good addition to the oeuvre and does a great job of achieving what it set out to do.
katietrettel's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
cass_lit's review against another edition
Sorted is a memoir from a trans man, Jackson Bird (who I didn’t know of prior to the memoir, but was interested and glad to learn of his slight YouTube and early social media sphere intersections). Like the tagline insinuates, it primarily focuses on reflections about growing up, discovering who you are, and the “average” growing pains all kids/teens go through plus the additional pains our trans or non-binary pals are dealing with on top of it. The uniqueness of this memoir, however, is in the fact that it’s also almost a…guide? As Jackson states many times throughout, there is no one way to be Trans and there’s no one “Trans experience.” However, Jackson gives so much insight into his past (because he feels comfortable doing so; we have no right to expect from a trans person) as a way of giving readers today a real experience that they can look to. The book is also interspersed with helpful tips, definitions, guidance, and more that ranges from defining even the most basic terms for those who are coming in with no knowledge, to helping cis-people best react to someone coming out, to tips for staring out binding. These inserts made the memoir read a little less memoir-y overall, but I think it’s a hugely important book and will help so many.