Happy Transgender Day of Visibility! Looking for some great ways to celebrate? Here are some books and posts to check out:
Recent Releases
The Right Thing to Do at the Time by Dov Zeller
If Jane Austen and Sholem Aleichem (Fiddler on the Roof) schemed in an elevator, this just might be their pitch. Ari is Elizabeth and Itche is Jane–and this Jewish, queer, New York City retelling of Pride and Prejudice is for everyone.
Ari Wexler, a trans guy in his late 20s, is barely scraping by. His family life is a mess, he feels like a failure when it comes to love, and his job at a music library is on the rocks. His relationship with Itche Mattes, his doting best friend, helps him get through the days. Then a famous actress comes to town and sweeps Itche off his feet, leaving her dreadful sidekick to step on Ari’s toes.
As Ari’s despair grows, a fascinating music project falls into his lap, and he s faced with a choice: to remain within his comfort zone, however small and stifling, or to take a risk that could bring meaning and joy to his life.
To My Trans Sisters by Charlie Craggs
Dedicated to trans women everywhere, this inspirational collection of letters written by successful trans women shares the lessons they learnt on their journeys to womanhood, celebrating their achievements and empowering the next generation to become who they truly are.
Written by politicians, scientists, models, athletes, authors, actors, and activists from around the world, these letters capture the diversity of the trans experience and offer advice from make-up and dating through to fighting dysphoria and transphobia.
By turns honest and heartfelt, funny and furious or beautiful and brave, these letters send a clear message of hope to their sisters: each of these women have gone through the struggles of transition and emerged the other side as accomplished, confident women; and if we made it sister, so can you!
Caroline’s Heart by Austin Chant
Cecily lost her soulmate years ago, leaving her with nothing but the clockwork heart that once beat in Caroline’s chest. They say it’s impossible to bring back the dead, yet Cecily’s resurrection spell is nearly complete and grows more powerful by the day.
But when a cowboy she barely knows is fatally injured, the only way to save him is by sacrificing an essential piece of the resurrection spell—and all possibility of seeing her lover again.
Not Your Villain by CB Lee
Bells Broussard thought he had it made when his superpowers manifested early. Being a shapeshifter is awesome. He can change his hair whenever he wants, and if putting on a binder for the day is too much, he’s got it covered. But that was before he became the country’s most-wanted villain.
After discovering a massive cover-up by the Heroes’ League of Heroes, Bells and his friends Jess, Emma, and Abby set off on a secret mission to find the Resistance. Meanwhile, power-hungry former hero Captain Orion is on the loose with a dangerous serum that renders meta-humans powerless, and a new militarized robotic threat emerges. Everyone is in danger. Between college applications and crushing on his best friend, will Bells have time to take down a corrupt government?
Sometimes, to do a hero’s job, you need to be a villain.
Upcoming books to preorder
Little Fish by Casey Plett (May 1)
In this extraordinary debut novel by the author of the Lambda Literary Award-winning story collection A Safe Girl to Love, Wendy Reimer is a thirty-year-old trans woman who comes across evidence that her late grandfather–a devout Mennonite farmer–might have been transgender himself. At first she dismisses this revelation, having other problems at hand, but as she and her friends struggle to cope with the challenges of their increasingly volatile lives–from alcoholism, to sex work, to suicide–Wendy is drawn to the lost pieces of her grandfather’s life, becoming determined to unravel the mystery of his truth. Alternately warm-hearted and dark-spirited, desperate and mirthful, Little Fish explores the winter of discontent in the life of one transgender woman as her past and future become irrevocably entwined.
I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman (May 3)
For Angel Rahimi, life is only about one thing: The Ark – a pop-rock trio of teenage boys who are currently taking the world by storm. Being part of The Ark’s fandom has given her everything – her friendships, her dreams, her place in the world.
Jimmy Kaga-Ricci owes everything to The Ark too. He’s their frontman – and playing in a band is all he’s ever dreamed of doing. It’s just a shame that recently everything in his life seems to have turned into a bit of a nightmare.
Because that’s the problem with dreaming – eventually, inevitably, real life arrives with a wake-up call. And when Angel and Jimmy are unexpectedly thrust together, they will discover just how strange and surprising facing up to reality can be.
Books to add on Goodreads:
- Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian (m/nb Historical Romance)
- If Found, Return to Astropop by Lucas Hargis (contemporary YA)
- Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker (MG)
- I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver (contemporary YA)
Guest Posts
Emi Louise Croucher Talks The Butterfly on Fire: a Novel of Being Transgender Before Transitioning
Finally Writing a Boy Like Me: a Guest Post by Devin Harnois
Rec Posts
- Webcomics with Binary Trans Characters (guest recs by Erin Ptah)
- Webcomics with Major Non-Binary Characters (guest recs by Erin Ptah)
- Fave Five: M/F Trans YA with Sex on the Page
- Fave Five: M/M and M/NB Romance with Trans MCs
- Fave Five: Adult Romances with Trans Male MCs
- Fave Five: Trans Kidlit by Trans Authors
- Books with Trans MCs for $5 or Less
Features with Trans/Non-Binary Authors
- Anna Zabo
- Kris Ripper (And also here)
- Austin Chant
- Matthew J. Metzger
- Meredith Russo
- Marieke Nijkamp
Previously Featured Books with Trans MCs
- Long Macchiatos and Monsters by Alison Evans
- Dreadnought by April Daniels
- Walking on Water by Matthew J. Metzger
- Hold Me by Courtney Milan
- George by Alex Gino
- Roller Girl by Vanessa North
- A Safe Girl to Love by Casey Plett