The Trans Rights Readathon!

Ultimate book trans book recommendation compendium (part 1?)

A few years ago, an author named Sim Kern started a decentralized fundraiser and reading challenge called the “Trans Rights Readathon”.

What is a decentralized fundraiser? Essentially, there isn’t one place that folks are supposed to donate, rather it encourages folks to donate in the style/amount that works for them to a local trans organization of their choosing.

Some people donated a certain amount for every book they read. Others read as much as they could and donated a flat amount. Others just amplified the work of trans authors you might not have heard of before! There is no right way to engage, which also means there’s no wrong way to engage. If you want to sign up to help them track participation and impact, here’s the website to learn more!

You might not have realized this about me yet, but I am a huge nerd. Major league nerd-ing. In particular, I am an absolute dork about trans, nonbinary, and queer books.

A slightly older shot of my bookshelf being extra AF. Isn’t she beautiful???

I thought I’d spend today’s newsletter giving you some recommendations for my favorite trans books by trans authors featuring trans characters in a variety of genres! I am always looking for more trans and queer books to read, so please tell me what your favorite trans book is too!

I’m going to try to hit three books in each of the below categories. If you are the same flavor of nerd as me and want to know every book I’ve read and all my thoughts on those, you can also be my friend on storygraph (like goodreads but a million times better).

Genres:

• Trans fantasy

• Trans science fiction

• Trans literary fiction

• Trans history

• Trans allyship

• Trans Scholarship

Notably, I’m not linking these books here. Partially because I have a lot going on and simply don’t have the time, but also because I want to encourage you to check them out from your library, or to buy them from a local independent bookstore in your own community!!

Trans fantasy

The Witch King + Fae Keeper Duology by H.E. Edgmon (Older YA)

• I looooved re-reading this series recently. I am a huge fan of stories that talk about trans people without making the plot about transphobia. To quote the author, “To read if you’re into: navigating established relationships, imperfect found families, and magical metaphors for all the queer knowledge we’ve lost.”

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas (YA)

• From the Author: “In this new Mexican-inspired fantasy, teen semidioses compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes.” Imagine the Hunger Games, but with trans teens and Mexican folklore. Soo much found family.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson (Adult Fiction)

• British witches fighting TERFS, the patriarchy, discussing motherhood and grief, and supporting trans witches. Feels like the trans community’s revenge on JK Rowling.

Trans science fiction

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

• From the publisher: “A defiantly joyful adventure set in California's San Gabriel Valley, with cursed violins, Faustian bargains, and queer alien courtship over fresh-made donuts.” What a LOVE STORY! So cozy, so much trans joy, found family, and really unique premise.

The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang

• From the publisher: “This is the story of Misery Nomaki (she/they) – a nobody from a nowhere mining planet who possesses the rare stone-working powers of a saint. Still waiting to be convinced of their own divinity and secretly training with a crew of outlaws and outcasts, Misery grows close to a rebel royal, Lady Alodia Lightning, who may know something of saints and prophecy herself. The voice that guides Misery grows bolder by the day, and it seems the madness is catching…”

Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers

• This is one of the most important books in my personal life philosophy. A beautiful novella about a nonbinary tea monk learning how to take a break. Eco-futurism, solarpunk, and cute lil robots.

Trans literary fiction

Detransition Baby by Torrey Peters

• From the publisher: “A whipsmart debut about three women—transgender and cisgender—whose lives collide after an unexpected pregnancy forces them to confront their deepest desires around gender, motherhood, and sex.” The name put me off for a while, but it was outstanding to read!

This is How it Always Is by Laurie Frankel

• From the publisher: “This Is How It Always Is is a novel about revelations, transformations, fairy tales, and family. And it’s about the ways this is how it always is: Change is always hard and miraculous and hard again; parenting is always a leap into the unknown with crossed fingers and full hearts; children grow but not always according to plan. And families with secrets don’t get to keep them forever.” This is the only book on this list that isn’t by a trans author, but I find it to be an exceptionally written piece about the families of young trans kids.

Trans history

Trans History by Susan Stryker

• What can I possibly say! This is a seminal text for learning about the very long history of the trans community.

Before we Were Trans by Kit Heyam

• An absolutely phenomenal review of the many different forms of gender variance throughout history, mostly in ways that predate colonialism.

Transgender Warriors by Leslie Feinberg (25th anniversary edition)

• From the publisher: “Transgender Warriors is an essential read for trans people of all ages who want to learn about the towering figures who have come before them—and for everyone who is part of the fight for trans liberation”

Trans allyship

My Child is Trans, Now What? by Ben Greene (come on, you knew I was going to sneak it in here somewhere)

• Support trans youth and family members at all ages, with a joyful guide to supporting your loved one. And it was written by ME!

He/She/They by Schuyler Bailer

• A thoughtfully crafted overview of some of the most common questions people ask about pronouns, sports, personal stories, faith, and more. A great resource!

That’s all for now. Happy reading!

Don’t forget to let me (and all the other lovely folks here) know what your favorite trans books are!!