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weaselettI did not actually get any squares on my bingo card for knit in public day (which was bizarre as we were busy - but I think mostly busy with people avoiding the horrific weather that day!)
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I have been doing better with reading actual books recently - and in doing so read two very different stories with Transgender lead characters, one good and one, not so good.
1 - The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson - This was the not so good. It has a lot of issues, and does a lot of strange things, and adds unessecary drama to something that should have plenty. It also randomly does lots of class stuff (with extreme!council estate v rich people, who are actually seemingly just middle class-ish....) Set in UK, so lots that jumped out at me than might have if set in US.
The author is not transgender but 'works with transgender youth, who were all really positive about her book'. A statement she actually makes at the end, which is painful and awkward.
I wouldn't recommend as a first trans character read, or a solid good plot - and it's got a lot of triggers to warn for (which includes transphobia, from everyone o.o - and sexual assault)
2 - If I was Your Girl by Meredith Russo - This is a good book, no issues that it doesn't own up to (none are big issues, unlike Williamson's book). It's an interesting story, lacking additional drama, and it covers the experience of transitioning, and how the character felt before and after. It feels a lot more real than the other. Set in the US, so I may not have noticed bits.
The author is transgender - and has a really lovely set of end notes (one for cis readers, one for non-cis readers). It lacks a wince worthy closing statement, and is generally really sincere.
100% recommend, triggers wise, shows transphobia but from a very different angle, and different treatment than the art of being normal, and there is violence towards the character.
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This year, so far, I'm at 28 books read so far (not sure if will make the aim of 90, will have to see :s)
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Long weekend this weekend, may go see wonder woman again.....will have to see how feel.
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I have been doing better with reading actual books recently - and in doing so read two very different stories with Transgender lead characters, one good and one, not so good.
1 - The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson - This was the not so good. It has a lot of issues, and does a lot of strange things, and adds unessecary drama to something that should have plenty. It also randomly does lots of class stuff (with extreme!council estate v rich people, who are actually seemingly just middle class-ish....) Set in UK, so lots that jumped out at me than might have if set in US.
The author is not transgender but 'works with transgender youth, who were all really positive about her book'. A statement she actually makes at the end, which is painful and awkward.
I wouldn't recommend as a first trans character read, or a solid good plot - and it's got a lot of triggers to warn for (which includes transphobia, from everyone o.o - and sexual assault)
2 - If I was Your Girl by Meredith Russo - This is a good book, no issues that it doesn't own up to (none are big issues, unlike Williamson's book). It's an interesting story, lacking additional drama, and it covers the experience of transitioning, and how the character felt before and after. It feels a lot more real than the other. Set in the US, so I may not have noticed bits.
The author is transgender - and has a really lovely set of end notes (one for cis readers, one for non-cis readers). It lacks a wince worthy closing statement, and is generally really sincere.
100% recommend, triggers wise, shows transphobia but from a very different angle, and different treatment than the art of being normal, and there is violence towards the character.
-
This year, so far, I'm at 28 books read so far (not sure if will make the aim of 90, will have to see :s)
-
Long weekend this weekend, may go see wonder woman again.....will have to see how feel.
