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casteelixir's review against another edition
5.0
She did it again. This book is great to read if you’re feeling a bit lost whether in regards to your future, your work, or your relationships. It is also an extremely wonderful read if you’re trans*. It delves into disclosure in a beautiful way. It talks about discovering yourself and caring for yourself. Chefs kiss.
nickscoby's review against another edition
4.0
There are only a handful people who I consider to be really and truly brilliant thinkers (Prince, Malcolm X, my friend Sam, my former student Chris, and Jay-Z before The Black Album). I add to this list Janet Mock who is so smart it's not even funny.
This book picks up on her life post-transition and is somehow much more personal than Redefining Realness. I heard Janet say at a recent book signing at Barnes & Noble that she wanted to focus on a period of her life when she was not yet open about her life and identity and much of that had to do with sorting things out for herself. One aspect of her identity that she spends time on (could've been more though) is being a first-gen student which compounded her desire to not ask for help, seek therapy, or share her personal story. Appearing "weak" is a big no-no.
Mock also mentioned how much Maya Angelou influences her own work, and this book certainly sets up for what will likely be a third narrative (in the Angelou tradition). I can't wait!
This book picks up on her life post-transition and is somehow much more personal than Redefining Realness. I heard Janet say at a recent book signing at Barnes & Noble that she wanted to focus on a period of her life when she was not yet open about her life and identity and much of that had to do with sorting things out for herself. One aspect of her identity that she spends time on (could've been more though) is being a first-gen student which compounded her desire to not ask for help, seek therapy, or share her personal story. Appearing "weak" is a big no-no.
Mock also mentioned how much Maya Angelou influences her own work, and this book certainly sets up for what will likely be a third narrative (in the Angelou tradition). I can't wait!
barnesbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Surpassing Certainty picks up right where Redefining Realness left off. I appreciated reading about Janet's 20s, and how she learned and grew into herself during them. It's a comfort to a 20-something like myself to see another person describe their struggle. I was surprised at some things, like how long her marriage lasted, because of the way parts of Redefining Realness were framed. Overall, it's a great read, and I'm glad I read it.
supernumeraryemily's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A great follow up to "Redefining Realness." I also read this book in audio format, immediately after reading Mock's first memoir. Her narrative voice is clear, poetic, and incisive as she describes her time as a college student in Hawaii working at a strip club and then moving into majority-white spaces for a college semester, a masters' program, then her writing/editing career. It also chronicles her first long-term (sometimes long-distance) romantic relationship.
A great read if you've finished her first memoir and wondered "then what?"
I was surprised when this book ended. I didn't see the end coming, and thought some of the storylines were wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly.
Mock is a skilled writer with a strikingly empathetic look at her own past self and the others in her life who have come and go and often caused her harm. She explores the relationships that have helped her form her identity in adulthood and shares vignettes that convey moments of wonder, ambition, despair, frustration in a racist system, and belonging among friends and (chosen) family. She tells the story of a woman who followed a dream, wasn't fulfilled, and continued digging to explore where exactly she needed to go and who she needed to be.
A great read if you've finished her first memoir and wondered "then what?"
I was surprised when this book ended. I didn't see the end coming, and thought some of the storylines were wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly.
Mock is a skilled writer with a strikingly empathetic look at her own past self and the others in her life who have come and go and often caused her harm. She explores the relationships that have helped her form her identity in adulthood and shares vignettes that convey moments of wonder, ambition, despair, frustration in a racist system, and belonging among friends and (chosen) family. She tells the story of a woman who followed a dream, wasn't fulfilled, and continued digging to explore where exactly she needed to go and who she needed to be.
yikesbmg's review against another edition
4.0
Read mostly for the story, not for the writing itself. I’ve seen Janet Mock everywhere but didn’t know much about it. It’s a very honest, laid bare book. It was helpful to read about what positive reactions she got from friends when she shared her personal history, and also how she navigated a relationship that she felt very tethered to but also very separate from.
myblackbookish_life's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
11corvus11's review against another edition
4.0
This was more on an extended memoir, filling in the gaps of her first, than a book that's about cataloging things she learned. I listened to the audiobook read by Mock and enjoyed it enough. I'll keep this short since this is a popular, heavily reviewed book.
90sinmyheart's review against another edition
5.0
We are almost the same age so all the references to pop culture in the 2000s were on point.