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lsparrow's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book mostly to use in my work and to recommend to people that are in my life who are in this space but I LOVED this book!
brigidm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
2.75
saaraa96's review against another edition
3.0
It wasn't just for freaks, teens and...
It's useful, especially last part of book when it categorized alternatives.
It's useful, especially last part of book when it categorized alternatives.
book_me's review against another edition
4.0
The beautiful thing about this book is it is realistic. It does not offer false promises but talks honestly and frankly about suicide, depression, coping mechanisms, etc. It is also accessible. While Bornstein concentrates mainly on struggling with one's gender or sexuality, her logic is applicable to struggles any sort of identity or characteristic that is labeled "abnormal" in our society.
slamslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
What a wonderful thing to exist. The first half explores some of the why & how behind the bully culture we live in. The second half is a detailed list of 101 alternatives to ending one’s life. Kate Bornstein is daring in their work. She is a sex-positive, gender theorist who greatly emphasizes that the world is a better place because YOU are in it. It felt like they were speaking directly to me at times & I hope other readers feel the same. The following are a few quotes that stuck with me:
“Identities aren't meant to be permanent. They’re like cars: they take us from one place to another. We
work, travel, and seek adventure in them until they break down beyond repair. At that point, living well means finding a new model that better suits us for a new moment.”
“You don’t have to look at the world the way you’re told to look at the world.”
“Would you like to show the world the you that you most enjoy being?”
“Identities aren't meant to be permanent. They’re like cars: they take us from one place to another. We
work, travel, and seek adventure in them until they break down beyond repair. At that point, living well means finding a new model that better suits us for a new moment.”
“You don’t have to look at the world the way you’re told to look at the world.”
“Would you like to show the world the you that you most enjoy being?”
embermantles's review against another edition
Everything was related back to sex, which would have been fine if the book's intentions had been clearly stated to be this focused on sex. But it was not, so the constant metaphor and reference was uncomfortable and distracting.
ftjulez's review against another edition
3.0
solidly 2.5 stars from me…
diva will you please for the love of god hold the racial slurs?? please
kinda corny but it did make me cry a few times….. laughed out loud when she recommended joining weight watchers….. not the best book. not the worst either. she kinda always reminds me of my grandma but if my grandma was trans and used racial slurs. neeeeeed her to stop throwing out the hard r like yesterday
diva will you please for the love of god hold the racial slurs?? please
kinda corny but it did make me cry a few times….. laughed out loud when she recommended joining weight watchers….. not the best book. not the worst either. she kinda always reminds me of my grandma but if my grandma was trans and used racial slurs. neeeeeed her to stop throwing out the hard r like yesterday
ari__s's review against another edition
4.0
While I had appreciation for the idea of this book when I came across it, it generally isn't something that I would pick up and read (How-To books, Guide books... that sort of thing isn't really in my interest wheelhouse; it's hard to stay engaged, I've found), but when it was listed on the "recommended reading" section of a course syllabus and I had time to kill before my actual textbooks arrived in the mail, I figured what the hell.
Glad that's what I figured.
Having read Kate Bornstein's memoir, what I loved about this book was how it felt so much like a conversation. What I additionally loved was that Kate Bornstein seems like a really fabulous person to talk to. At no point while reading this did I feel suicidal, but I still managed to feel a whole hell of a lot better in general after reading this book, as well as feeling a bit more prepared for having these 101 tips in my pocket to share with others if a situation ever calls for it. As someone in the Queer community, I found Bornstein's gender/sexual orientation/sexuality focus to be hugely relevant and necessary, though I could see how it could be a deterrent for others. I think she saw that too while writing it, but very plainly didn't give a fuck and plowed onward. An approach to which only applause can be given in response.
Overall, I found this to be a well-rounded, firm but gentle, no-bullshit approach to this topic. It's not a cure-all; she calls it how it is and speaks to the truth of each person's all-encompassing power to determine the course of their life, but her consistent sincerity of wanting the reader to continue on prevails throughout, making this a must-have on anyone's bookshelf if they're working with teens/young adults/people in general.
Glad that's what I figured.
Having read Kate Bornstein's memoir, what I loved about this book was how it felt so much like a conversation. What I additionally loved was that Kate Bornstein seems like a really fabulous person to talk to. At no point while reading this did I feel suicidal, but I still managed to feel a whole hell of a lot better in general after reading this book, as well as feeling a bit more prepared for having these 101 tips in my pocket to share with others if a situation ever calls for it. As someone in the Queer community, I found Bornstein's gender/sexual orientation/sexuality focus to be hugely relevant and necessary, though I could see how it could be a deterrent for others. I think she saw that too while writing it, but very plainly didn't give a fuck and plowed onward. An approach to which only applause can be given in response.
Overall, I found this to be a well-rounded, firm but gentle, no-bullshit approach to this topic. It's not a cure-all; she calls it how it is and speaks to the truth of each person's all-encompassing power to determine the course of their life, but her consistent sincerity of wanting the reader to continue on prevails throughout, making this a must-have on anyone's bookshelf if they're working with teens/young adults/people in general.