I can’t stress enough how important it is to see yourself in literature, especially in non-fiction books such as memoirs or biographies. I’ve read many books that were written by authors who provided representation because they wished that they could have seen characters like them when they were young.

Yes, You Are Trans Enough by Mia Violet
Written with a humorous narrative, this book is wholesome, sweet, and so important. As a teenager, Mia found herself discovering something about of herself. After so much thought, and even the effort to come out to her mom, she said it was all wrong. After years and years of pretending, Mia decided it was time to stop repressing her truth. Blogging much of her transition on social media, Mia was able to grow a community of support.

I enjoy that this book talks about the healthcare system, and how it is to receive, or be denied, gender affirming healthcare. Mia included so many important details in this memoir. I haven’t found a book that walked the reader through each step of the transition so well.

Mia still posts on social media today, under the username @OhMiaGod.

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I’m Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya
Each sentence had me thinking “Yes! Yes! Yes!” This short memoir, under 100 pages, might be my new favorite book; or at least a close tie with Shaun David Hutchinson’s A Complicated Love Story Set in Space. Each word in this book is so crucial, maybe because it’s so short, or maybe because it’s so important. I found this memoir similar to In The Dream House because of how certain characters are simply referred to as “you,” and the enchanting aspect that gives.

The themes from this book leaped off the page at me. The main theme I saw was fear. Fear from men, from society, from women, from other queer people. Fear that you won’t be able to protect yourself. This fear, and guarded protection, caused it to be difficult to be vulnerable with people; to have trust that they won’t harm you.

If there is one book I think everyone should read, it’s Vivek Shraya’s I’m Afraid of Men. Exposing gender, society, and fear so rawly and accurately, this book is essential.

Vivek Shraya is a musician, visual artist, and writer from Canada.

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In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
I was on the Amtrak coming home to Minnesota, sleepy on motion sickness medicine, and completely enchanted by the audiobook of In The Dream House.

A memoir about domestic abuse in a lesbian relationship, a topic unheard of. From writing in the second person, to exposing the truth of what happened in the dream house, this book was intense and unlike any I’ve ever read before. I continued to hear Carmen Maria Machado’s captivating voice in my head for a week. I’ve kept this story with me, as it is one so special and unique.

I’ve also greatly enjoyed two of Carmen Maria Machado’s other books: Her Body and Other Parties, and The Low, Low Woods.

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In conclusion, all three of this true stories are vital to understanding the topics they speak about. Transgender and queer books are so crucial to have.


What’s your favorite queer or transgender book?