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elenahasashelf's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
This was exactly what I needed out of a short read-in-one-evening reflection. At times this book navigated maybe too many kinds of change? But at its core the critique of the One, Authentic Self meant a lot to me. Having navigated a lot of relentless self-questioning in the recent past, I loved reading another trans person’s message that all of our selves can be true ones and good ones, even if they were influenced by external forces or gave way to something new. I also related to her ideas about fluidity in careers and in art. I loved reading about how she honours relationships that have changed, and how she hasn’t always experienced hot, fiery beginnings and hot, fiery endings to connections like we’re told we should. This book at once gently reminded me of my fears about change and validated my love for fluidity.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
graceesford's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Transphobia
teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This was over way before I was ready for it to be. I wanted more detail and insight, but that may be testimony to it being relatable in many ways. I very much appriciate the author reading this. It made it more engaging.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Homophobia, Racism, and Transphobia
Minor: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
after having read almost all of vivek shraya's works, i now conclude than her writing - not only in terms of form but also subject - just rly clicks w/ me. here in people change, it's as compulsively readable as ever.
i initially planned to blithely walk while listening to the audiobook, but after the first 2 chapters i had to give up on that bc it was impossible to not bookmark sth every few seconds, for how thought-provoking or wise or fresh or contrarian they were.
the latter is esp true in regards to the book's themes of change, of how it's not always a scary but a necessary thing, how growth is borne from it, how multiplicity should be embraced instead of committing to a forever where one remains stagnant, sometimes to their own detriment.
i initially planned to blithely walk while listening to the audiobook, but after the first 2 chapters i had to give up on that bc it was impossible to not bookmark sth every few seconds, for how thought-provoking or wise or fresh or contrarian they were.
the latter is esp true in regards to the book's themes of change, of how it's not always a scary but a necessary thing, how growth is borne from it, how multiplicity should be embraced instead of committing to a forever where one remains stagnant, sometimes to their own detriment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: Death, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
reb_knits's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, and Transphobia
samarakroeger's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
This short book read like a TED talk about reinvention. Personally, I hate the quasi-inspirational tone of TED talks; I often feel like the speakers are saying a lot of words dramatically without really including that much substance or nuance. I don’t think there are any revolutionary thoughts in Shraya’s book, and I don’t think she manages to support her argument with enough concrete examples, instead relying on vague generalities and half-baked anecdotes that feel kinda empty.
Short books are great, but this one is maybe too short to have an actual impact. I much preferred her earlier (and similar) book, I’m Afraid of Men, which felt much more personal and reflective. I really do think that specificity counterintuitively allows the reader to actually connect, empathize, and apply their own reflections on wider, more general ideas or struggles. Generalization and broad statements tend to do the reader a disservice.
Short books are great, but this one is maybe too short to have an actual impact. I much preferred her earlier (and similar) book, I’m Afraid of Men, which felt much more personal and reflective. I really do think that specificity counterintuitively allows the reader to actually connect, empathize, and apply their own reflections on wider, more general ideas or struggles. Generalization and broad statements tend to do the reader a disservice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
myrealityislemons's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Cultural appropriation
h0llyr00th's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Seeking stories and experiences different from my own but I feel a like this book was generally under baked. I wish there had been more here. It's so short there was so little time for depth. But I'm sure that was on purpose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
catcardosop's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
my first reading of 2023. a beautiful and easy reading that fits perfectly to where I am right now. I mean, I just like to read reassuring words that validate my feelings and thoughts.
also, being a cis woman myself, I read this having one of my best friends in mind. I see how much she suffers by being a trans woman in her twenties, living in a small town here in Brazil, and I really wish for her to find the same peace and wisdom as vivek seems to have found.
also, being a cis woman myself, I read this having one of my best friends in mind. I see how much she suffers by being a trans woman in her twenties, living in a small town here in Brazil, and I really wish for her to find the same peace and wisdom as vivek seems to have found.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
souplover2001's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
"reinvention requires both a kind of death and a desire to keep living. and so, at it's core, reinvention is inextricably linked to hope. the hope that we can find a new way, take another shape." yeah, yeah, literally. literally this.
while there were few anecdotes that i didn't wholly agree with, the overarching themes of growth and change was such a highlight for me, especially to be reading this at a time when so much change has been and will continue to come in my young adult life. passages about the changes that come with friendship and the overall kindness that shraya had when talking about her past self will stick with me for a while. like, there is no "true" or "authentic" self and it is so important to treat our past selves with more empathy!!! i AM the product of every choice i've made and while not all great, they have made me the person that i am now and i will continue to live a life that will honour the resilience and change i have endured!!
while there were few anecdotes that i didn't wholly agree with, the overarching themes of growth and change was such a highlight for me, especially to be reading this at a time when so much change has been and will continue to come in my young adult life. passages about the changes that come with friendship and the overall kindness that shraya had when talking about her past self will stick with me for a while. like, there is no "true" or "authentic" self and it is so important to treat our past selves with more empathy!!! i AM the product of every choice i've made and while not all great, they have made me the person that i am now and i will continue to live a life that will honour the resilience and change i have endured!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia