Any good TG books?

[Screenager]

I'm currently in the process of trying to figure out a few things in my head, and I find that reading really helps me work through stuff. Does anyone know of any good books written about TG issues? I've found what look to be a couple of good memoirs of TG people (one FTM, one MTF) but was wondering whether anyone in the community had come across some. MTF preferred, given that it's my situation, but if there's a good FTM book that you think would also be relevant in some aspect, I'd also like to hear about it. Thanks!

[Bree-asaurus]

"She's Not There" is pretty good. It's the only one I ever bought. I passed it on to some family after I read it, hoping to help them understand. Unfortunately they never read it... they thought I was shoving my tranny propaganda in their face.

[EnglishRose]

I gave my family "True Selves" and it seemed to help them understand a lot of things. It's a bit dry mind you. Also "Whipping Girl" is touted as very good but I haven't read it yet.

[Elizabeth]

Hi Screenager,

There is a really good book written by a MtF that I know from another Forum. It's a really good read and might provide you with some perspective.

http://www.amazon.com/Squirrel-Cage-Cindi-Jones/dp/1847289428

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pTX2vI88L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg

Here is her myspace. She is really nice and likes to help people.

http://www.myspace.com/cindianna_jones

Love always,
Elizabeth

[LilSissyStevie]

I really liked "The Last Time I Wore A Dress" by Daphne (AKA, Dylan) Scholnski. Dylan is FTM but we had some very similar experiences in the Mental Health™ meat grinder. Dredged up a lot of old memories and made me puke. Great stuff!

[AudreyTN]

amazon has a whole list of transgender books available.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/182-8376838-3814651?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=transgender

[brenne]

"She's Not There" is pretty good. It's the only one I ever bought. I passed it on to some family after I read it, hoping to help them understand. Unfortunately they never read it... they thought I was shoving my tranny propaganda in their face.

Ditto on "She's Not There" (by Jennifer Finney Boylan) - I recently read it - covers a LOT. - BrendaB.

[saramurphy]

I am currently reading "Wrapped In Blue" by Donna Rose

[LaurenB]

"She's not there" was very powerful to me. I also recommend "In One Person" by John Irving as a good novel.

[TerryTerri]

Besides "She's Not There",which was very good, my favorite transgender book, at least the one that I got the most from is named "Becoming" and it is by Jody Keller. ( http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Jody-Keller/dp/1436381207/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341816391&sr=1-2&keywords=jody+keller )
I found it to be the most insightful, introspective and usefull book that I have read about myself. Unsure if it would help family and/or friends understand this. But, it sure helped me.

[danielleb]

A woman who attends my support group recently published a book she's been working on. Probably not what you're after, but good for some lighter reading.:)

Coming out can be murder (http://reneejamesauthor.com/tag/transgender-community/)

[DebbieL]

I have several on my Amazon Kindle, here are some of the most informative:

How To Change Your Sex: A Lighthearted Look at the Hardest Thing You'll Ever Do - Lannie Rose
- Very accurate non-fiction but with a sense of humor.

Alice in Genderland: A Crossdresser Comes of Age - Richard Novic - Biography of a Transsexual cross-dresser - discusses the stages we often go through

Debbie's Secret Life - Debbie Lawrence - Transsexual who struggles for decades - and when she can't change herself, changes the world.

A Girl's Life - David Michaels - Fiction but very well researched.

[gonegirl]

I appreciate everyone posting your book recommendations, I've found it really helpful.

I downloaded "She's not there" last night and it is indeed a powerful read. I've already plowed through over 2/3 of the 300 pages as it's hard to put down.

Thanks!
McKenzie

[tara t]

Im about to buy "hung in the middle " by alana scholar . the preview ive read looks very good . i,ll update after ive read it .

[ameliabee]

I'm shocked nobody has mentioned Julia Serano's Whipping Girl.

[gonegirl]

I'm shocked nobody has mentioned Julia Serano's Whipping Girl.

I have Whipping Girl next up on my reading list. The page previews on Amazon show a gritty and intelligently written book.

McKenzie

[Cheyenne Skye]

I haven't read it myself, but several people I know have recommended "True Selves".

[Cindi Johnson]

I really liked all those listed, particularly Squirrel Cage.

One recently published non-fiction book which approaches the subject from another avenue is "Transparent: Love, Family, and Living the T with Transgender Teenagers". The author, Cris Beam, is a GG who became a foster parent to a TG teenager, and in the process becomes immersed into an often-sad world of the less fortunate young TG's among us: girls who struggle with difficulties many of us can't imagine. Ms. Beam offers great insight into a Southern California world that most don't know exists. Mixed up girls, tossed out of their families and into the streets, and often tossed, eventually, into California's prisons.

Read Transparent, and your own personal TG situation might not seem so bad after all.

[Kirsty_D]

A book I've just ordered is Becoming Drusilla (http://beingdrusilla.wordpress.com/becoming-drusilla/), I know Dru through Flickr so I'm looking forward to reading this book.

[EnglishRose]

I'm shocked nobody has mentioned Julia Serano's Whipping Girl.

I'm not shocked nobody noticed it was in my post #3 :p

[Mimi]

I'm reading Tran-Sister Radio by Chris Bohjalian. It's a fictional account of a TS going through transition told from several different points of view--The TS herself, the girlfriend, the girlfriend's ex-husband, and the girl-friend's daughter. It's written as though it were a documentary for All Things Considered. It's quite interesting, and I think the author has done quite a bit of research.

[Rachel Renee]

Hi Screenager,

There is a really good book written by a MtF that I know from another Forum. It's a really good read and might provide you with some perspective.

http://www.amazon.com/Squirrel-Cage-Cindi-Jones/dp/1847289428

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pTX2vI88L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg

Here is her myspace. She is really nice and likes to help people.

http://www.myspace.com/cindianna_jones

Love always,
Elizabeth
I've just finished this book and it was really wonderful. I hadn't heard of it until this thread so I downloaded it last night and read the entire thing today. Just couldn't put it down. Thank you for the recommendation!

[MarieTS]

Dear Screenager: Try "Luna", by Julie Ann Peters. I was able to relate to the book from my own personal expereinces, as you probably will too. It is the story of a teen MtF as told through the eyes of his gg sister. Despite the problems Luna has to deal with in her struggle to gain acceptance and eventually transition, the story ends on a promising note. I have it here--would be glad to send it. You can also buy it pretty inexpensively from Amazon. My fave book on this subject is "My Story" by Caroline Kossey--she actually became a Bond Girl in the movies following her transition. There's hope for us all!