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bluleys's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
LETTERS FOR MY BROTHERS - Megan Rohrer, Zander Kieg
(KINDLE UNLIMITED) 4.5/5
This short compendium of letters written by transmen was a wonderful journey of exploration and hope. Each writer shares their own insights and history with navigating their gender, each imparting a lot of wisdom along the way. I highlighted so, so much of this book as there were so many inspiring quotes and parts which made me laugh out loud.
I will say that while the writers touch on their difficulties in the world during their transition (which is a state of being more than a thing with a set start and end) the primary message of the book is hope. While no two experiences are the same I was hoping for more exploration of the challenges faced during transition, which this book doesn’t really cover in any detail. It is mainly a warm, welcoming message for anyone questioning their gender identity that affirms that your true self can be found, whenever and wherever you start that journey. One story I particularly enjoyed was a transman who began transitioning in his 40s. It was lovely hearing the stories of older mentors in the community and those who transitioned late in life, as modern media is often more focused on those discovering themselves and transitioning young.
Some of my fave quotes:
(KINDLE UNLIMITED) 4.5/5
This short compendium of letters written by transmen was a wonderful journey of exploration and hope. Each writer shares their own insights and history with navigating their gender, each imparting a lot of wisdom along the way. I highlighted so, so much of this book as there were so many inspiring quotes and parts which made me laugh out loud.
I will say that while the writers touch on their difficulties in the world during their transition (which is a state of being more than a thing with a set start and end) the primary message of the book is hope. While no two experiences are the same I was hoping for more exploration of the challenges faced during transition, which this book doesn’t really cover in any detail. It is mainly a warm, welcoming message for anyone questioning their gender identity that affirms that your true self can be found, whenever and wherever you start that journey. One story I particularly enjoyed was a transman who began transitioning in his 40s. It was lovely hearing the stories of older mentors in the community and those who transitioned late in life, as modern media is often more focused on those discovering themselves and transitioning young.
Some of my fave quotes:
You can be loved. On June 20, 1997, how could you know you would get married on Feb 5, 2009?
Life can be a tragedy, if you work at it. Luckily, since you’re having a sex change and all the rules we learned to live by are about to change, you’re signing up to be a clown instead.
Remember, I say to the self. We have all been a thousand times more afraid than we need to be.
Notice when and where and how you become completely happy. Do more of those things each day, and less of other things, because the real task we set ourselves in walking our circus of shapes and roles is becoming fully alive, fully human, fully aware everything we are.
Don’t expect the journey to end.
mxsallybend's review
3.0
Letters for My Brothers is one of those books that I agreed to read, but wasn't really sure I wanted to review. It's not that I didn't expect it to be good, or that I felt obligated, or anything negative. Instead, it's that I didn't expect to relate to it, and I was concerned that disconnect might be hard to keep out of a review. After all, when you're going one way on the gender spectrum, it's hard to imagine anybody wanting to go the other way.
Much to my surprise (and delight), I found that connection early on, and realised that many of the themes and concepts being expressed are universal. You don't have to be FTM (female-to-male) to appreciate the struggles and triumphs of the authors here. Heck, you don't even have to be transgendered to appreciate them - we all have at least one significant aspect of our life that we struggle against and worry about, as well as a few secrets that we keep from those we love (as often to protect them as ourselves). On top of all that, the central theme of body image is one of those things that we never really stop thinking about, no matter who we are or how old we get.
These are stories about curiosity, discovery, and realization. They're also stories about exposure, revelation, and condemnation. Each of these authors has truly "been there, done that" and their words of advice and encouragement to the next generation are all the more welcome for it. Some entries are reminiscences on the past, while others are letters written to their past selves. Some are more self-aware than others, but they all demonstrate a tenderness and understanding (and, in many cases, clear frustration) with the young women who once wore their shoes.
There is a strong spiritual presence to the collection - three of the contributors hold a professional role within their respective religions - that initially made me uncomfortable, expecting the worst in where they were heading, but I'm pleased to say their entries were some of my favourites. In fact, if I could have the chance to sit and talk with any of the contributors here, it would be Raven Kaldera, an FTM shaman who lives quite happily with his MTF wife and his FTM partner. His story, and his approach, really spoke to me, and made me pause a number of times to ponder the questions being asked.
It's entirely fitting that the collection ends with a piece entitled Enjoy the Journey by Matt Kailey, because the book itself is a journey, and clearly it's the shared experience that matters. We all have regrets, things we wish we could have done differently, and things we wish we could change about our past selves, but Matt reminds us that those things are part of who we are today, and should be honoured, not discarded. Without them, we wouldn't be who we are today, and for many of these contributors, where they are is precisely where they need to be.
Wise words, from a wonderful collection. Think of it as It Gets Better for the transgender community . . . a message that is always welcome.
Much to my surprise (and delight), I found that connection early on, and realised that many of the themes and concepts being expressed are universal. You don't have to be FTM (female-to-male) to appreciate the struggles and triumphs of the authors here. Heck, you don't even have to be transgendered to appreciate them - we all have at least one significant aspect of our life that we struggle against and worry about, as well as a few secrets that we keep from those we love (as often to protect them as ourselves). On top of all that, the central theme of body image is one of those things that we never really stop thinking about, no matter who we are or how old we get.
These are stories about curiosity, discovery, and realization. They're also stories about exposure, revelation, and condemnation. Each of these authors has truly "been there, done that" and their words of advice and encouragement to the next generation are all the more welcome for it. Some entries are reminiscences on the past, while others are letters written to their past selves. Some are more self-aware than others, but they all demonstrate a tenderness and understanding (and, in many cases, clear frustration) with the young women who once wore their shoes.
There is a strong spiritual presence to the collection - three of the contributors hold a professional role within their respective religions - that initially made me uncomfortable, expecting the worst in where they were heading, but I'm pleased to say their entries were some of my favourites. In fact, if I could have the chance to sit and talk with any of the contributors here, it would be Raven Kaldera, an FTM shaman who lives quite happily with his MTF wife and his FTM partner. His story, and his approach, really spoke to me, and made me pause a number of times to ponder the questions being asked.
It's entirely fitting that the collection ends with a piece entitled Enjoy the Journey by Matt Kailey, because the book itself is a journey, and clearly it's the shared experience that matters. We all have regrets, things we wish we could have done differently, and things we wish we could change about our past selves, but Matt reminds us that those things are part of who we are today, and should be honoured, not discarded. Without them, we wouldn't be who we are today, and for many of these contributors, where they are is precisely where they need to be.
Wise words, from a wonderful collection. Think of it as It Gets Better for the transgender community . . . a message that is always welcome.
jackalope84's review against another edition
5.0
My review is biased as I feel like all books written by trans folks should be given five stars. Especially because there are so few printed from a “before time”-when trans men were just whispers around the fringe of society. Hearing wisdom from the elders holds a special place in my heart. Most of the advice is: Listen to yourself. Trust yourself.
That advice is always solid. So, as a trans man on the brink of middle age, I hope this books finds younger trans men and again I repeat the wisdom of Trust Yourself.
That advice is always solid. So, as a trans man on the brink of middle age, I hope this books finds younger trans men and again I repeat the wisdom of Trust Yourself.
mrhog's review against another edition
5.0
This book leaves me achy and bittersweet and wiser. This one is not going back on the shelves but will remain at my bedside.
If you are reading this, and can not access this book for some reason or find that it is too expensive, message me on here and I can copy it to you.
Zander Kieg, Aaron Raz Link, Raven Kaldera, and ‘Evan Anderson’ are must-reads for the LGBT+ community.
If you are reading this, and can not access this book for some reason or find that it is too expensive, message me on here and I can copy it to you.
Zander Kieg, Aaron Raz Link, Raven Kaldera, and ‘Evan Anderson’ are must-reads for the LGBT+ community.
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