Task 2: Read a YA book by a trans author

[Mary Beth]

Here is a thread to discuss books you’re considering or suggesting for Task 2: Read a YA book by a trans author.

[Rebecca]

Cemetery BoysCemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

[Angela N]

I already did this one, this year. I read Cemetery Boys.

[Casey]

i'm probably going to read eithe Wintersong, The Disasters, When We Were Magic or The Witch King but some other good options are Pet and Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix

[Elizabeth]

There's a lot for this task that I still want to get to. Right now the top of my list is Pet, Dreadnought, Cemetery Boys, The Witch King, Felix Ever After, Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic, and The Spirit Bares Its Teeth.

If you want a comic for this one, I highly recommend Melanie Gillman. I've only read Stage Dreams and Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales, but both are fantastic books (especially Stage Dreams) and fit this task.

[Lisa]

I haven’t read it yet, but Pet by AKWAEKE EMEZI is a national book award finalist….

[Sophia]

I'm thinking of grabbing This Day Changes Everything when it comes out in February.

[Auden]

Casey wrote: "i'm probably going to read eithe Wintersong, The Disasters, When We Were Magic or The Witch King but some other good options are [boo..."

Are you sure that Wintersong would count? I can't find anything online that indicates that the author is transgender.

[Casey]

Abigail wrote: "Are you sure that Wintersong would count? I can't find anything online that indicates that the author is transgender."

I found the book originally on a library list of books by trans and non-binary authors, but it's possible it was mislabeled!

[Auden]

Casey wrote: "I found the book originally on a library list of books by tra..."

Thanks! I will keep looking to see what I can figure out. I've got access to that one so it would be great to use it if it counts!

[Jenny]

The Unstoppable Trilogy by Charlie Jane Anders is a great YA Sci Fi trilogy! I'll probably read book 3 for this one!

[Jaimi]

Rebecca wrote: "Cemetery BoysCemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas"

I loved that book! I'll probably read one of Aiden's other books for this prompt.

[Jennifer]

Casey wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Are you sure that Wintersong would count? I can't find anything online that indicates that the author is transgender."

I found the book originally on a library list of books by tra..."

Abigail wrote: "Casey wrote: "i'm probably going to read eithe Wintersong, The Disasters, When We Were Magic or The Witch King but some other good op..."

She uses she/they pronouns so possible she's non-binary, but not trans.

[Elspeth]

I loved Birthday. Such a good book, I would consider re-reading it. Meredith's other book If I Was Your Girl was also good but Birthday was amazing.

[Erin]

I think my pick for this one is going to be Internet Famous by M.B. Guel. They're one of my favorite fanfiction authors and I'm excited to read their published works!

[Olivia]

I read The Spirit Bares Its Teeth and I LOVED IT.

[Rachel]

I loved Breakup, Makeup by Stacy Anthony (they/them). It's about competing in a fantasy makeup competiton held at conventions. Love letter to fandom and YA love stories.

[Lucilla]

I'm planning on reading The Sunbearer Trials, but The Reckless Kind and Out of Salem are my alternates.

[Brooke]

Stay Another Day by Juno Dawson

[Carole]

I am currently reading ‘Pet’ for this task. Has a fantasy element which I enjoy. The “monsters” have GOT to be a metaphor for some of the extremely narrow minded US politicians trying to limit the rights of everyone who isn’t an old white man. At least that is what I think so far, but I am only about halfway through the book.

[Leanne]

I'm going to read Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (apologies for not tagging, I'm on the app!)

[Natalie Piccotti]

I just finished reading Pet based on recs here for it fitting the prompt. I liked the main character fine...but I could have done without the book. I guess I know why YA is not really my genre - I didn't think this seemed YA, but it wasn't adult either. Not really sure who this book is written for...but it wasn't me!

[Serenity]

I read Not Your Sidekick by CB Lee, who identifies as Bisexual and Non-Binary on their Instagram for this prompt and I absolutely loved it! Just like the "Incredibles" movie but with a queer romance!! This was book one in a trilogy and will definitely be picking up the others.

[Lindsay]

I recently received This Day Changes Everything in a Goodreads giveaway, and it's a delightful YA romance, with a trans author and one of the two MC is trans as well.

[Sarah]

Stay Gold by Tobly Smith is also a good YA romance dealing with the struggles of a trans kid coming out to the girl they're crushing on while living in a state (Texas) that's hostile to trans kids where the author is also trans.

[Aquaria]

King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender.

[Mandie]

Auden wrote: "Casey wrote: "i'm probably going to read eithe Wintersong, The Disasters, When We Were Magic or The Witch King but some other good op..."

https://www.instagram.com/sjaejones/p...

"Introducing yourself as a panromantic, gray asexual not-quite-girl to strangers, especially when you present fairly stealth is just too much of a mouthful."

[Eleonora]

I just listened to the audiobook for Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. The author is trans, and the narrator is also trans, that was very nice to find out.
I loved this book!

I also plan to read for this prompt (I love queer and YA books)
The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White.

[Eleonora]

More suggestions that would fit the prompt:
Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender (I read it and loved it)

[Jacob]

I just finished Pet for this challenge and thought it was incredible.

[Leah]

I read Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore for this one! I haven't seen any of their books recommended yet, but they have a lot of great ones with some really unique trans experiences. I also loved Blanca & Roja.

[Ashley]

I read Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa. His other book The Wicked Bargain is also a great choice!!

[Penny]

Ugly by Kelly Vincent is about a teen who is gender nonconforming. The author goes by they/them pronouns. I know it's not specifically trans but still an incredible novel.

[Mandie]

I read Elatsoe for this prompt.

[Sherri]

I read The Spirit Bares Its Teeth. I finished it only because I didn't want to start over with another book. 1 star.

[Joanna]

Mandie wrote: "I read Elatsoe for this prompt."
I'm not seeing anywhere that says Darcie Little Badger is trans, though.

[[deleted user]]

Just finished Man o' War for this task and really enjoyed it.

[Tracy]

I'm going to try Meet Cute Diary.

[Denise]

I read The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School Sonora Reyes
The author identifies as queer and that's close enough for me