Art of Transliness

Zak’s booklist

Here’s a list of my favorite gender or transition-related books: 

1. Gender Outlaw by Kate Bornstein. I’m admittedly a little obsessed with Kate. I met her when she came to speak at my university and she’s as cool in person as she seems in writing. She’s a transwoman, but her thoughts on gender are really applicable to anyone. This was one of the first gender related books I read that helped me figure out where I fit on  the gender spectrum. 

2. Just Add Hormones by Matt Kailey. This book covers the basics of physical transition, both physical and social, from the point of view of a gay transman. It’s a fun and easy read, and accessible enough that I recommended it to my dad when he was trying to understand my decision to take T. 

3. Becoming a Visible Man by Jamison Green. This was a very detailed guide to one man’s transition. Jamison Green is a major player in ftm activism and has a very interesting life story. Although he and many of the other authors on this list are older and so have very different life situations than many younger transguys, what they have to say is usually very interesting, helpful, and insightful. 

4. Letters for my Brothers by various authors. This is an extremely moving and helpful book of various essays from older transmen addressed to their younger trans brothers. It contains helpful advice on navigating the difficult social and emotional trials of transitioning as well as funny anecdotes. I would recommend this to any transguy at any stage of transition-it’s seriously that good. 

5. From the Inside Out by Morty Diamond. This book covers ftm stories as well as those of genderqueer and other gender fluid people. This is a good book for guys who may not identify as solely male or ftm. There is a younger voice and a lot more diversity in this book than in the others mentioned above.