crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
This is a combination of information about trans* issues, history, etc... and stories/experiences from trans* individuals. I used the * because that is what the author did.
I really appreciated the content of the book, but would have loved to hear more from trans* individuals. The information was helpful, but I got a bit bogged down in it sometimes. What was more compelling were the stories. I could have read more of those.
One line that is sticking with me is something Dean Kotula, one of the contributors said, "My own experience always reminds me to assume and respect the complexity of others." This seems like a good way to live life in relation to those around us.
I really appreciated the content of the book, but would have loved to hear more from trans* individuals. The information was helpful, but I got a bit bogged down in it sometimes. What was more compelling were the stories. I could have read more of those.
One line that is sticking with me is something Dean Kotula, one of the contributors said, "My own experience always reminds me to assume and respect the complexity of others." This seems like a good way to live life in relation to those around us.
franuary's review against another edition
4.0
Kirstin Cronn-Mills, author of 2012’s Stonewall award winning Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, is back with a non-fiction primer on what it means to be transgender. Clocking in at under 100 pages, Transgender Lives: Complex Stories, Complex Voices alternates between narratives from trans* individuals and informational chapters describing trans* issues. Cronn-Mills also covers identities not always thought of as trans*, including genderqueer. The individual stories chosen are compelling, and the factual sections break up this intricate topic into easy-to-understand basics. A short, thoughtful introduction to living as trans* that should find a place on the young adult shelves of most public libraries.
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Lerner Publishing Group and to NetGalley for the advance copy!
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Lerner Publishing Group and to NetGalley for the advance copy!
gratzee's review against another edition
5.0
Kristin Cronn-Mills knits together a collection of trans*narratives and a brief, yet stunning, introduction to transgender experiences, spectrums, and issues. A diverse group of 7 trans* people share their experiences, struggles and joys in a highly narrative format. Their voices ring through Cronn-Mills interview-like writing. Paired with their pictures, at times it feels as if they are speaking to you; often raw in their stories of family, friends, judgment, and love.
The narratives are broken up with educational introductions to transgender basics. Cronn-Millis synthesizes the diversity of trans identities, history, health and medical access, and sociocultural life challenges over the course of 6 chapters.
It is a beautiful balance of life storytelling and concrete information. This is a valuable and timely book in the transgender literature. The narratives gives trans*people to relate to, the information gives a greater understanding of trans and gender issues. The brevity of the book (just under 90 pages) makes it a lovely introduction to those who are curious to learn more or college students.
The narratives are broken up with educational introductions to transgender basics. Cronn-Millis synthesizes the diversity of trans identities, history, health and medical access, and sociocultural life challenges over the course of 6 chapters.
It is a beautiful balance of life storytelling and concrete information. This is a valuable and timely book in the transgender literature. The narratives gives trans*people to relate to, the information gives a greater understanding of trans and gender issues. The brevity of the book (just under 90 pages) makes it a lovely introduction to those who are curious to learn more or college students.
skelleycat's review against another edition
4.0
Transgender people have become more and more plentiful and important in my life over the past handful of years, but I have to admit that while this makes me happy, it also used to scare me. It scared me because I have seen a general lack of understanding, and poor treatment of, trans* people -- both online and offline -- and I was terrified of inadvertently doing something to offend or hurt any one of them.
Naturally, my first inclination would be to ask questions; I'm a curious and inquisitive person, so when I don't understand something (or want to make sure I do something right) -- I ask. But I've seen a large backlash online from various minority groups. They say "stop asking me to teach you about ___________ -- go learn about it yourself," and that not only confused me, but it made me sad. I was terrified of asking any of the trans* people I knew, for fear of either offending them with my ignorance, or annoying them with my questions because apparently I should be Googling it.
When I saw this book, Transgender Lives, come up on NetGalley, I scooped it up as quickly as possible. Here was my chance to get a better education about trans* individuals -- straight from the authorities on the topic! I always enjoy nonfiction memoirs and personal accounts, so this was especially of interest to me. I was so glad to finally hear -- directly from a variety of trans* individuals -- about their lives, their bodies, their relationships, and how they deal with it all.
Each personal account discussed various aspects of their lives that I was curious about, or that I didn't know about, in a comfortable space. The chapters were also broken up with general information about trans* people and living as a trans* person. It detailed specific issues like healthcare, discrimination, public bathrooms, work environments, and more. I even learned about a plethora of transgender historical figures, which I loved! (And it included definitions of different terminologies surrounding the trans* and LGBTQ community, which I found most helpful.)
The most important piece of this book for me -- aside from broadening my understanding -- is that it was a safe place for me to confront and explore my own personal feelings and experiences about gender and sexual orientation. I might not be considered transgender or anything, but I've often felt very similar to a lot of the trans men I read about who always felt uncomfortable being raised as girls, and were stifled when they wanted to express more male characteristics, behaviors, and interests.
I'm really glad I found this book, and I think it's one that everyone could benefit from reading.
Naturally, my first inclination would be to ask questions; I'm a curious and inquisitive person, so when I don't understand something (or want to make sure I do something right) -- I ask. But I've seen a large backlash online from various minority groups. They say "stop asking me to teach you about ___________ -- go learn about it yourself," and that not only confused me, but it made me sad. I was terrified of asking any of the trans* people I knew, for fear of either offending them with my ignorance, or annoying them with my questions because apparently I should be Googling it.
When I saw this book, Transgender Lives, come up on NetGalley, I scooped it up as quickly as possible. Here was my chance to get a better education about trans* individuals -- straight from the authorities on the topic! I always enjoy nonfiction memoirs and personal accounts, so this was especially of interest to me. I was so glad to finally hear -- directly from a variety of trans* individuals -- about their lives, their bodies, their relationships, and how they deal with it all.
THANK THE GOAT GODS -- and everyone involved -- for this book.
Each personal account discussed various aspects of their lives that I was curious about, or that I didn't know about, in a comfortable space. The chapters were also broken up with general information about trans* people and living as a trans* person. It detailed specific issues like healthcare, discrimination, public bathrooms, work environments, and more. I even learned about a plethora of transgender historical figures, which I loved! (And it included definitions of different terminologies surrounding the trans* and LGBTQ community, which I found most helpful.)
The most important piece of this book for me -- aside from broadening my understanding -- is that it was a safe place for me to confront and explore my own personal feelings and experiences about gender and sexual orientation. I might not be considered transgender or anything, but I've often felt very similar to a lot of the trans men I read about who always felt uncomfortable being raised as girls, and were stifled when they wanted to express more male characteristics, behaviors, and interests.
I'm really glad I found this book, and I think it's one that everyone could benefit from reading.
elephant's review against another edition
3.0
I think if you want to do research about the transgender types and areas of concern, this is a good book for that. It tells about gender fluidity around the world and throughout history and examines the legal, personal and medical issues involved with being transgender. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.
library_brandy's review against another edition
4.0
Alternates between people talking about their experiences being somewhere on the transgender spectrum--what they went through and where they are now--and information about people who are/were trans* in a variety of cultures throughout history, the cultural/social issues trans* people face, and a lot of resources.
Again, I was hoping for something with more heart to it: what WAS childhood like, feeling trapped in the wrong body? How do parents and others react, and what makes them come around (if they ever do)? I'm interested in the psychology of transition, before/during/after, not just "I didn't like myself and now I'm comfortable."
This is probably more my issue than an issue with the book, which is a great resource for teens struggling with their own identities, or those who know someone struggling.
Again, I was hoping for something with more heart to it: what WAS childhood like, feeling trapped in the wrong body? How do parents and others react, and what makes them come around (if they ever do)? I'm interested in the psychology of transition, before/during/after, not just "I didn't like myself and now I'm comfortable."
This is probably more my issue than an issue with the book, which is a great resource for teens struggling with their own identities, or those who know someone struggling.
amdame1's review against another edition
4.0
This book does a great job of combining the personal stories of several trans* people with information about trans* lifestyles, identities, correct language to use, transition processes, and more. There is also an extensive timeline, a section of famous trans* people in a wide variety of fields from arts to politics, a glossary, and a section containing information on finding a wide variety of additional resources. Recommended.
wcs53's review
4.0
This is another book I borrowed from the library and read towards my 2017 reading challenges. It's about a topic that there seems to be little known about or is often misrepresented or misunderstood. This book is just a short introduction with some personal stories and a number of facts and figures. There is a handy glossary of terms at the back along with a suggested reading list for those who may want to go deeper and learn more about what is a more complex issue than meets the eye and goes beyond many of the unfortunate stereotypes often portrayed in the media. For anyone who wants to know more about this complex issue this is probably a good place to start.
hagiasophia's review
3.0
Designed more for curious cisgender people rather than questioning trans* people, and, as I am a cisgender person, this book was very helpful.
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