Arin Andrews

While I really enjoyed the simple, straightforward prose in this memoir, I just couldn't get behind the message. This thing basically reads like a fairytale trans story: perfect parents, perfect support, perfect partners, perfect transition. The perfect is a stretch, admittedly, but I say that because I don't see a lot of challenges being overcome by the narrator that aren't very common for non-binary or gender nonconforming folks. It worries me that some kid might pick up this book and show more become even more depressed or feel more hopeless when things don't work out the way they have for Arin Andrews. For that reason, and because while the writing is solid, it doesn't have a lot of depth, it's a 2.5 stars for me.

It's a quick read, so if you want to check it out, the story is a good one and I wouldn't recommend against it. show less

I loved this honest, authentic and wonderful memoir. Arin Andrews writes a very candid and personal memoir about his journey to become who he was always meant to be. He does not speak for all trans people, only from his own unique experience.

This is a very teenager-y memoir, which is entirely appropriate, since it's written by a teenager about his life, but it took me a bit to get used to the quirks of his style and voice. Arin shows really amazing candor about the potentially embarrassing foibles and inconsistencies of teenaged romantic life, and an impressive amount of self-reflection and thoughtfulness. I hope this book will be a resource for trans and cis teenagers and for the adults who can and should support them.

This memoir is being published simultaneously with Katie Hill's Rethinking Normal. Although Katie broke up with Arin while they were still in the media spotlight, they become a media sensation dubbed “America’s First Teen Trans Couple!” Arin suffers suicidal impulses at one time, but his story is less darker than Katie's. He experiences less self-loathing than Katie, or at least doesn't share it. He experiences plenty of prejudice but not as much bullying, and Arin expresses more of a show more sense of humor about his situation. His initially reluctant mother becomes his unconditional supporter. An open, honest, poignant, and frequently funny memoir. Readers having their own experiences with gender identity or sexual orientation will find comfort and inspiration in Arin's story. Readers wanting a better understand of what it means to be transgendered will find this memoir enlightening. show less