10 Books by Transgender/Nonbinary Authors to Celebrate Trans Rights

Published on 23 March 2023 at 12:10

This week the #TransRightsReadathon has been taking over the internet! Right now, transgender rights are at a pivotal point in US history as many state and local governments take action to limit the transgender community's access to health care, sports, education, and social participation. The book bans that target transgender and nonbinary authors, characters, plots, and stories are a reflection of this political action. To combat transphobia in our society, politics, hearts, and homes, readers across the United States are making a point to read books by transgender and nonbinary authors. In this article, I have assembled a list of 10 books by transgender and nonbinary authors to help you get reading. I've also put together a short list of organizations that support the rights of transgender folx that you can contact if you need support.

 

*As a note to readers, I found it quite difficult to access any of the books below through a free, virtual library. My recommendation would be to search using WorldCat or Google Books. Both of these site direct you to the nearest library that carries the book, so if you can't find it at your local library, and they won't order it on your behalf, you may be able to find it at another library in your country, region, or state.

Image Description: A shiny, wrinkled fabric with the transgender pride flag superimposed over it. The transgender pride flag is made up of five horizontal bars of color ordered from top to bottom: pale blue, pale pink, white, pale pink, pale blue.

Credit: Lena Balk/Unsplash via Webador

10 Books by Transgender/Nonbinary Authors

  1. An Unkindness of Ghosts (Rivers Solomon): This is Solomon's debut book. The science fiction genre novel explores racism aboard a spaceship that travels through space for generations. Solomon is nonbinary and uses fae/faer pronouns. Read the book on The Free Library or buy the book here.
  2. Asegi Stories: Cherokee Queer and Two-Spirit Memory (Qwo-Li Driskill): This scholarly work explores cultural memory as it relates to the Cherokee understanding of queer and two-spirit identities. I couldn't find this book for free online, but check WorldCat or Google Books to find the nearest library that carries this book, or buy the book on Birchbark Books.
  3. Freshwater (Akwaeke Emezi): This complex novel pulls from Igbo culture to tell the story of a young, Nigerian woman haunted by gods that inhabit her body. The story is a creative exploration of mental illness. I couldn't find this book for free online, but check WorldCat or Google Books to find a library with this book near you. Buy the book or learn more about the author here.
  4. In the Watchful City (S. Qiouyi Lu): A novella about science, technology, and belonging. This story follows a character whose job it is to watch over the people through a network called The Gleaming. The website for In the Watchful City makes it easy for you to find the book. On the website, you will find out where to find print, audiobook, and ebook copies of the book as well as how to find libraries that carry it.
  5. Light From Uncommon Stars (Ryka Aoki): Dealing directly with transphobia, this sci-fi/fantasy novel is about a transgender violinist who escapes her transphobic family, only to meet a violin instructor who has made a deal with the devil. Learn about the author and the journey this book has taken on the author's blog. This is another book that you may have to put in a little legwork to find if your local library doesn't have it, but WorldCat and Google Books should help you get started. Buy the book on Amazon.
  6. Phoenix Extravagant (Yoon Ha Lee): This political fantasy novel pulls from the history of Japanese-occupied Korea and has a nonbinary protagonist who works for the Ministry of Armour. Check WorldCat or Google Books if your local library doesn't have this book. Buy the book in all its forms on Barnes and Noble. Learn more about the book and its author here.
  7. The City in the Middle of the Night (Charlie Jane Anders): A science fiction novel, this book's lead is exiled from her home colony inhabiting a dying planet. Learn more about the book and its author, read an excerpt, and find out where to buy the book on the author's website.
  8. The Companion (E.E. Ottoman): Set in a small, quiet town in 1940s New York, this romance offers a cast of 3 transgender characters. Learn more about the book, the author, and where to buy the paperback or audiobook on the author's website.
  9. The Discomfort of Evening (Marieke Lucas Rijneveld): This Dutch novel explores the intersections of family, religion, depression, grief, and transgender identity and was the winner of the International Booker Prize in 2020. Buy the book in all its forms on Amazon.
  10. The Echo Wife (Sarah Gailey): This science fiction novel is about a research biologist whose ex-husband creates and marries her clone. Sarah Gailey is a nonbinary author. Buy the book in all its forms through Barnes and Noble.

Transgender and Nonbinary Support Organizations

This is far from an exhaustive list, but it is a great place to get started.

Sources

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