Fairly Queer Books | Gender Queer: A Memoir
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Gender Queer: A Memoir
Maia Kobabe
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2020 ALA Alex Award Winner
2020 Stonewall—Israel Fishman Non-fiction Award Honor Book.
In 2014, Maia Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns, thought that a comic of reading statistics would be the last autobiographical comic e would ever write. At the time, it was the only thing e felt comfortable with strangers knowing about em.
Now, Gender Queer is here. Maia’s intensely cathartic autobiography charts eir journey of self-identity, which includes the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction, and facing the trauma and fundamental violation of pap smears.
Started as a way to explain to eir family what it means to be nonbinary and asexual, Gender Queer is more than a personal story: it is a useful and touching guide on gender identity—what it means and how to think about it—for advocates, friends, and humans everywhere.
“It’s also a great resource for those who identify as nonbinary or asexual as well as for those who know someone who identifies that way and wish to better understand.” — SLJ (starred review)
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Posts about this title from Fairly Queer Books
Fairly Queer Books\ \ Fareeha\ \ • Jun 20 2024
8 of My Favorite Queer Stories
Happy summer solstice! ☀️Here's a list of my favorite queer stories ranging from manga, short story collections, fantasy, and comics.
7 books
Posts about this book from across Bindery
Not A Phase Books\ \ Sawyer Cole Hobson\ \ • Jun 4
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[Happy Trans Joy Thursday!\ \ Today, I wanted to highlight 10 books that have not only brought me joy, but also made me feel seen, heard, validated and others that just... altered my brain in the best possible way. By no means are these like my all time favorites, but they come pretty damn close, and I find myself recommending them over and over again. I chose 5 nonfiction books, and 5 fiction books.\ \ Before we get to the lists, though, I wanted to remind you that if you're local to Green Bay, Wisconsin, I'll be vending my first ever big Pride event at Proud Out Loud at Stage Ten Seventeen from 12-8pm. I will be a vendor indoors. I'll have Pride exclusives and tons of merch to shop, in addition to my book, of course. Here are the details if you're curious:\ \ \ \ I hope I see you all there! One more house keeping thing, we have finalized our Quarter 3 Book Club Pick and our Behind The Book chat! We will be reading Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H(she/they), and will ALSO be talking with them July 31st from 7-8 pm CST/8-9pm EST. Quarter 3 will be July, August and September. So, we'll have 3 months to dive in and discuss this book along the way. I will also be holding a giveaway for the paperback UK edition. More details on that coming in July. \ \ But Sawyer, you told us last time we are speaking with DeAndra Davis in July for the Beyond The Rainbow chat!? YES! We're talking to BOTH OF THEM IN JULY. And I'm so pumped. More details coming later this week.\ \ NOW. For the books that changed my brain chemistry. Here are my Top 5 Nonfiction Reads:\ \ \ \ In no particular order, these are my Top 5 Nonfiction books:\ \
- The Rainbow Ain't Never Been Enuf: On The Myth of LGBTQ+ Solidarity by Dr. Kaila Story. This book gave me so much material to digest, I not only listened to the audiobook, I bought a physical copy to immediately reread to annotate. (I don't typically reread books. Let alone in the same month.) Dr. Kaila Story will also be with us Tuesday, June 16th from 12-1pm CST/1-2 pm EST to discuss this book, Pride, and everything in between. Zoom information coming soon.\ \
- Falling Back In Love With Being Human: Letters To Lost Souls by Kai Cheng Thom. This book was like reading a book of forgiveness to those that have wronged you. The book itself is broken up into different formats - poems, prayers, spells, letters, etc. Truly an eye opening book and one that has sat with me since it's release.\ \
- Black Boy Out Of Time by Hari Ziyad. Y'all. I had an e-copy of this book, purchased the audiobook, and still have yet to purchase the physical copy. But the way Ziyad writes letters to his younger self throughout the book, healed something inside of me. Ziyad discusses growing up as a queer Black kid with a religious upbringing and how he navigated that. It's a masterpiece that should be required reading.\ \
- Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H. Seeing as how this book is our Q3 book club selection, it should come as no surprise that it also made my top 5 list. Growing up in an extremely (cultish) religious upbringing, I related to Lamya's stories about herself in relation to the Qur'an. Truly a must read if you can relate to navigating religion or religious trauma.\ \
- Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe. This book gave my adult self the ability to put words to my gender and identity that I was searching for. Truly a book that needs to be read by youth and adults alike. (The annotated edition was also just released in May, and I need it.)\ \ \ Just typing out those 5 books, I thought of like 5 more I could've added. lol. Here are the Top 5 Fiction books that altered my brain:\ \ \ \ I absolutely stay in my nonfiction bag, so branching out to fiction is way too hard for me. But when I do read fiction, it's usually queer books. These top 5 fiction books left me feeling some type of way about the characters, the plot, the storyline - they just left parts of me feeling seen. Looking at this list, I believe all but one of them are considered YA - I so wish I had these books in my youth. What a difference it could've made. I'm so thankful the kids today have access to stories that reflect them. Here are my Top 5 Fiction Books, in no particular order:\ \
- Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly. A book about a recent divorcee and a nonbinary individual? Sounds like Kelly wrote about me and Alisha. To the point Alisha called me London for a brief moment in time due to my shared awkwardness with the character. I will read Kelly's grocery lists. Their books just never miss. Ever.\ \
- Can't Take That Away by Steven Salvatore. Fun fact: This was the first book I ever won in a giveaway on Bookstagram. This book is about a genderqueer teen who finds the courage to speak up for themselves and equality to their school administration. And honestly? Still applicable today. A must read for not only parents, but every single kid to know that their voice matters.\ \
- I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver. This book hit a little close to home, as it is about a nonbinary teen who got kicked out of their home after coming out to their parents. It follows Ben as they navigate school. anxiety, crushes, and the complexities of being a queer teenager. Deaver is also another author that just never misses.\ \
- Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender. Another fun fact: We named one of the cats Felix after this book. This book follows Felix, a Black, queer, trans teen who is attending an art program in NYC. The overall themes include self-discovery, loving yourself, and accepting the fact that you are deserving of love. Such a beautiful book. \ \
- Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. I have also read this book twice. (I'm sensing a correlation of books reread and my top 5. lol) I love the fact that this book explores coming out as trans and navigating it with family and belonging. Such a tender book. I cannot wait until Thomas releases the sequel, Espiritu, later this year.\ \ \ And there you have it. My top 10 nonfiction/fiction books. I still could have added more books to both lists the more I sit here and think about them. But now I'm curious, if you could ONLY (yes, only) pick 5 books in each category, which books would you choose? Meet me in our Discord to tell me, or drop them in a comment below.\ \ I hope you all have a fantastic Thursday and a very happy day 4 of Pride.\ \ With all my trans joy,\ \ Sawyer Cole\ \ Join for free or login](https://notaphase.binderybooks.com/item/BDFO0nPtONTDtLT4S47P/)
11 books
3
Not A Phase Books\ \ Sawyer Cole Hobson\ \ • May 17
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[Hi friends and happy Sunday!\ \ It's March 17th, so it's also International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia, also known as IHOBIT.\ \ I'm writing this from my desk, as it's my long weekend to work, and also, it's a rainy, dreary day here in Green Bay, WI, which always causes for a little more reflection from me.\ \ With the current administration in office attacking and stripping away gender-affirming healthcare from trans youth, calling "pro-transgender" people terrorists, and the recent news of the murder of 19-year-old Juniper Blessing - all within a week - I wanted to highlight trans joy. Which seems to be a moot point right now, as rights are being taken away left and right, we're getting murdered for doing our laundry, and the overall state of gestures broadly the world, it's important - now more than ever - that we celebrate US - our wins, our gender-affirming care, our lives, our voices, our stories.\ \ Most of you that follow me on Bookstagram, have followed my journey with recently receiving gender-affirming care in the shape of top surgery January 7th of this year; and while I knew it would alter my life, I don't think I realized just how much. I find myself rubbing my chest in awe frequently throughout the day - like, this is really mine. Proud recipient of the no titty committee, at your service. This is real life. And it is mine. In all its trans glory.\ \ That's joy. It brings me joy every time I touch my chest. Or take a shower and see my reflection staring back at me in the mirror - I get to live authentically; out loud, every day. And to think that the current administration is taking that opportunity away from our trans youth - that worries me, both as a mental health professional, and as a trans adult that suffered finding my own way out of those "formative years" alive.\ \ In writing this, I wanted to bring along some books, just a few that popped into my mind, that screamed Trans Joy to me. There's so many amazing trans books out there right now, but these I have read and they all hold a special place in my heart. I hope you will read them and love them as much as I do:\ \ \ \ The books, in no particular order, are as follows:\ \
- Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly\ \
- Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe\ \
- Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas\ \
- Falling Back In Love With Being Human by Kai Cheng Thom\ \
- Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender\ \
- Sylvia And Marsha Start A Revolution by Joy Ellison & Teshika Silver\ \
- I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver\ \
- Trans History by Alex L. Combs & Andrew Eakett\ \ \ Again, I know there are literal dozens upon dozens of trans books that center joy, and this list is very much subjective, and I left so many out, but I wanted to highlight them because at the end of the day, it's important we share trans joy in the face of adversity. It's important we continue to speak up so as not to be silenced into fear. \ \ I hope you immerse yourselves in joy today - in whatever form that looks like to you. \ \ With all my trans joy,\ \ Sawyer Cole\ \ Join for free or login](https://notaphase.binderybooks.com/item/6g0Sljs5Yo0sQtVFu3Fi/)
8 books
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Reading Fools\ \ Marston Quinn\ \ • Mar 12
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[Banned Books Central List \ \ As many of you already know, I have a real thing for banned books. Specifically, I like to read them and explain why they shouldn’t be banned.\ \ Although recent book banning has focused on targeting marginalized groups, especially the LGBTQIA and black communities, there’s a long history of censorship that stretches back throughout human history, has affected every group, and been perpetrated by every group.\ \ I’m currently working on a video series in which I read and discuss banned books. As I update that series, I’ll indicate which books I’ve read and which books I plan to read here. Note: I source my banned books from lists compiled by the GOATs on this subject, the American Library Association and PEN America .\ \ Banned Books I’ve Read for the Series\ \
- Gender Queer: A Memoir, Maia Kobabe, Graphic Memoir; watch on Instagram, TikTok, & YouTube\ \
- Flamer, Mike Curato, YA Graphic Novel; watch on Instagram, TikTok, & YouTube\ \
- Sold, Patricia McCormick, YA Fiction (verse novel); video coming soon.\ \ \ Additional Banned Books (unranked and unsorted)\ \
- The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison, Literary Fiction\ \
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky, YA Fiction\ \
- Looking for Alaska, John Green, YA Fiction\ \
- All Boys Aren't Blue, George M. Johnson, Memoir/Essays\ \
- Tricks, Ellen Hopkins, YA Fiction (verse novel)\ \
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, Jesse Andrews, YA Fiction\ \
- Crank, Ellen Hopkins, YA Fiction (verse novel)\ \
- Nineteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult, Fiction/Thriller\ \
- Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher, YA Fiction\ \
- The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood, Dystopian Fiction\ \
- Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen, Historical Fiction\ \
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie, YA Fiction\ \
- The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini, Literary Fiction\ \
- A Court of Mist and Fury, Sarah J. Maas, Fantasy/Romance\ \
- Identical, Ellen Hopkins, YA Fiction (verse novel)\ \
- Out of Darkness, Ashley Hope Pérez, YA Historical Fiction\ \
- A Court of Wings and Ruin, Sarah J. Maas, Fantasy/Romance\ \
- The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas, YA Fiction\ \
- A Court of Frost and Starlight, Sarah J. Maas, Fantasy/Romance\ \
- Lucky, Alice Sebold, Memoir\ \
- Tilt, Ellen Hopkins, YA Fiction (verse novel)\ \
- Beloved, Toni Morrison, Literary Fiction\ \
- Living Dead Girl, Elizabeth Scott, YA Fiction\ \
- Forever…, Judy Blume, YA Fiction\ \
- Damsel, Elana K. Arnold, YA Fantasy\ \
- I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, Erika L. Sánchez, YA Fiction\ \
- Last Night at the Telegraph Club, Malinda Lo, YA Historical Fiction\ \
- Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson, YA Fiction\ \
- Breathless, Jennifer Niven, YA Romance\ \
- The Color Purple, Alice Walker, Literary Fiction\ \
- Monday's Not Coming, Tiffany D. Jackson, YA Mystery/Thriller\ \
- The Haters, Jesse Andrews, YA Fiction\ \
- Beyond Magenta, Susan Kuklin, YA Nonfiction\ \
- Milk and Honey, Rupi Kaur, Poetry\ \
- Perfect, Ellen Hopkins, YA Fiction (verse novel)\ \
- Fallout, Ellen Hopkins, YA Fiction (verse novel)\ \
- Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut, Literary Fiction/Satire\ \
- What Girls Are Made Of, Elana K. Arnold, YA Fiction\ \
- Drama: A Graphic Novel, Raina Telgemeier, Middle Grade Graphic Novel\ \
- The Carnival at Bray, Jessie Ann Foley, YA Fiction\ \
- Wicked, Gregory Maguire, Fantasy\ \
- Impulse, Ellen Hopkins, YA Fiction (verse novel)\ \
- Shine, Lauren Myracle, YA Mystery\ \
- The Sun and Her Flowers, Rupi Kaur, Poetry\ \
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou, Autobiography\ \
- A Clockwork Orange, Anthony Burgess, Dystopian Fiction/Satire\ \
- The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend, Kody Keplinger, YA Fiction\ \
- Storm and Fury, Jennifer L. Armentrout, YA Fantasy/Romance](https://readingfools.binderybooks.com/item/GmSfGjDh8qrCJC3F7pqi/)
3 books
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Reading Fools\ \ Marston Quinn\ \ • Mar 1
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9 books
3
Reading Fools\ \ Marston Quinn\ \ • Feb 20
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Reading Updates & Impending Launch!
The Snowy Day is probably the most checked out book in United States history, and I never knew! You can see this copy at the @nypl
#books #childrensbooks #library #blackhistorymonth #bookstagram
5 books
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2-Spirit Bookshelf\ \ (@Indigenousbookshelf)\ \ • Nov 20 2025
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Trans Day of Remembrance 🍓🫐🏳️⚧️
20 books
1
Peppered Ink\ \ Mary\ \ • Oct 9 2025
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Some of my favorites (and a few more).
5 books
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Wanderland Reads\ \ Sayer\ \ • Apr 7 2025
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📚✨ Join me as I kick off our ongoing series on Banned Books!
These are must-read titles that challenge censorship and spark meaningful conversations. These books often face banning for their themes of social justice, sexuality, and political dissent.
Let’s celebrate our freedom together! What’s your favorite banned book? Share your suggestions for our library!
#BannedBooks #FreedomToRead #LiteraryAwareness #representationmatters #wanderlandreads
65 books
Queer as Books\ \ José\ \ • Mar 20 2025
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Perfect for the Trans Rights Readathon starting on March 21st!
15 books
1
Queer as Books\ \ José\ \ • Mar 18 2025
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\ \ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://queerasbooks.binderybooks.com/item/vhqijAdnPuxT9tj12CAl/)
🚀 Early Access 🚀 Trans Book Recs 🏳️⚧️ 📚
Perfect for the Trans Rights Readathon that starts on March 21st and all year!
15 books
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Peppered Ink\ \ Mary\ \ • Feb 6 2025
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Let's talk HB-710 and a few other ridiculous measures we ought to be challenging.
10 books
3
Boneyard Picnic\ \ Natalie Meagan\ \ • Dec 31 2024
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My Best, Worst and Most Disappointing Reads of 2024
Please enjoy my list of the best, worst and most disappointing books I read in 2024!
11 books
2
Boneyard Picnic\ \ Natalie Meagan\ \ • Dec 1 2024
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I read a lot of great books this year, but these 10 are the best of the best!
11 books
4
Queer as Books\ \ José\ \ • Nov 20 2024
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Queer Graphic Novel Recommendations
15 books
Sapph-Lit\ \ Nina\ \ • Nov 7 2024
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Duh. But especially now that I run a sapphic publishing imprint.
8 books
11
Fairly Queer Books\ \ Fareeha\ \ • Jun 20 2024
8 of My Favorite Queer Stories
Happy summer solstice! ☀️Here's a list of my favorite queer stories ranging from manga, short story collections, fantasy, and comics.
7 books
Mood Reads\ \ Hannah\ \ • Mar 19 2024
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\ \ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://moodreads.binderybooks.com/item/5mMpkFtL08QSe9Q4ngNj/)
My Favorite Graphic Memoirs (Part 1)
The best of both worlds for comic book and memoir lovers!
4 books
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The Inky Phoenix\ \ Kathryn Budig\ \ • Oct 2 2023
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It’s #BannedBooksWeek : now is the time to be loud about the freedom to read and create a world where everyone can see themselves in the pages of a book. Here’s a list to get you going. #theinkyphoenix #inkyphoenixpress #booktok #bannedbookshelf #bannedbooks
Violetear Books\ \ Kevin\ \ • Mar 20 2023
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Have you read any of these books yet?! I have not read all books featured in this video, so if my research was incorrect in compiling this list. I apologize in advance and ask that you kindly correct me! I am so excired to see so many of my fellow creators participating in their own ways. There is no right way and this is not a competition. We are here to uplift one another and diversify what we read. Please check out some of the creators I tagged for more book recommendations and information on the Trans Rights Readathon 🥰. #books #lgbtqbooks #transbooks #gaybookrecommendation #booktok
10 books