A review by ashylibrarian
Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
This is my second time reading Gender Queer. I first read this graphic memoir in 2021 for a graduate course. The first read-through was eye-opening and informative. I found myself asking questions I had pondered before and being excited to learn more about gender identities, sexuality, relationships, and pronouns.
Now, in 2023, as I read this book for the second time for the #TransRightsReadathon, I found myself appreciating this book for a whirlwind of different reasons. I have been questioning my sexuality and have been feeling really uncertain in my body this year, wanting to learn more about asexuality, more about the ways in which I can see myself as a gendered person.
Maia Kobabe's memoir felt like a warm hug, knowing that the thoughts and feelings I have had over the past year are not "weird" or "random" or something that I should be ignoring. Through eir words and graphics, I felt seen in ways that I haven't quite felt before. I may not relate to everything in eir book, but I felt seen enough to know it is okay to question and explore the thoughts I have been having. I know with further exploration, I can maybe find answers, find a community, and start to understand myself a bit better.
Now, in 2023, as I read this book for the second time for the #TransRightsReadathon, I found myself appreciating this book for a whirlwind of different reasons. I have been questioning my sexuality and have been feeling really uncertain in my body this year, wanting to learn more about asexuality, more about the ways in which I can see myself as a gendered person.
Maia Kobabe's memoir felt like a warm hug, knowing that the thoughts and feelings I have had over the past year are not "weird" or "random" or something that I should be ignoring. Through eir words and graphics, I felt seen in ways that I haven't quite felt before. I may not relate to everything in eir book, but I felt seen enough to know it is okay to question and explore the thoughts I have been having. I know with further exploration, I can maybe find answers, find a community, and start to understand myself a bit better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Blood, and Dysphoria