{"id":31784,"date":"2025-07-29T19:40:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T19:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/31784\/"},"modified":"2025-07-29T19:40:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T19:40:19","slug":"8-books-to-read-for-transgender-history-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/31784\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Books to Read for Transgender History Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

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August is Transgender History Month, and that\u2019s as good an excuse as any to read trans history and trans historical fiction books! Transgender history is vast, varied, and long\u2014dating back to some of the earliest known oral histories. As long as there have been people, there have been gender-nonconforming people. So there\u2019s no way to summarize trans history in a list like this\u2014these are just some of the books that should be on your radar. Most of the books I chose are newer titles, but you should check out Rah\u2019s list of trans history books<\/a> for classic titles.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve split this list into trans history books and trans historical fiction. Historical fiction can be an accessible way to step into the shoes of someone from another time. They can be a good way to learn about history, but they\u2019re also entertaining and engaging stories in their own right. Use these as a launching off point to learning about trans history, preferably paired with a nonfiction book that complements the setting.<\/p>\n

And if you can\u2019t get enough queer books, scroll to the end to find a list of 11 new queer books out this week as a bonus for All Access members<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Transgender History Books:<\/p>\n

\"a<\/a>So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color<\/a> by Caro De Robertis<\/p>\n

In this essential oral history, queer elders of color share stories of self-discovery, activism, resistance, and survival. Their testimonies are a necessary record of lived experience and hard-won progress, a love letter to queer history, and gorgeous reminder to treasure the wisdom of those who\u2019ve witnessed history, helped shape it, and allowed us to imagine brighter futures. There is so much beautiful humanity in these pages, so much laughter and joy even in periods of profound struggle and loss. That joy is resistance, that joy is protest, that joy is unshakable. I need everyone to read this book. \u2014Vanessa Diaz<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Marsha:<\/a>Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson<\/a> by Tourmaline <\/p>\n

I\u2019m having trouble trying to summarize Tourmaline\u2019s accomplishments: TIME 100 Most Influential Person in the World awardee, Guggenheim Fellow, award-winning filmmaker, a permanent art installation in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and so much more. Now, she\u2019s written the \u201cfirst definitive biography\u201d of one of the most prominent figures in LGBTQ history: Marsha P. Johnson. Published simultaneously is a picture book version: One Day in June: A Story Inspired by the Life and Activism of Marsha P. Johnson<\/a> by Tourmaline and illustrated by Charlot Kristensen. \u2014Danika Ellis<\/a><\/p>\n

\"cover<\/a>Transgender History<\/a> by Susan Stryker<\/p>\n

This is a sprawling account of transgender history in the United States beginning in the mid-20th century. Throughout the book, we follow a timeline of trans history, focusing on well-known points in history like World War II. Transgender History is a seminal work covering everything from history to identity politics, to musings on the future. It\u2019s a true must-read for those within and outside of the community. \u2014Mara Franzen<\/a><\/p>\n

\"trans<\/a>Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day<\/a> by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett<\/p>\n

This is an excellent introduction to trans history in comic format, from ancient history to interviews with trans people today. It\u2019s a broad yet thorough glimpse into the myriad ways gender has been expressed throughout time, and the ways trans people have been oppressed and erased from history. The beautiful illustrations enhanced and made the details more accessible. While listed as young adult, I would recommend it for anyone who wants to better understand the history of gender expression and transness, no matter their age. My only complaint is that I wanted an entire book for each chapter! I didn\u2019t want it to end! \u2014Margaret Kingsbury<\/a><\/p>\n

Transgender Historical Fiction:<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>The Thirty Names of Night<\/a> by Zeyn Joukhadar <\/p>\n

A closeted trans Syrian American begins seeing his mother\u2019s ghost after her suspicious death in a fire five years ago. Now, his grandmother\u2019s sole caretaker, his only source of solace comes from painting murals in his Manhattan neighborhood at night. But when he discovers the journals of a Syrian American artist whose pages reveal not only surprising connections with his mother and grandmother but also the hidden reality of queer and transgender people in his community throughout history, he finally finds the courage to claim a new name for himself: Nadir. \u2014Rachel Brittain<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>A Lady For A Duke<\/a> by Alexis Hall<\/p>\n

Need a book that will smash you to pieces and put you back together again? This sweeping, tender romance with a trans woman main character does just that. After faking her own death, Viola is free to live as herself, but without title or her best friend, Justin de Vere, Duke of Gracewood, at her side. When they reconnect years later, Gracewood is a shadow of himself. As Viola and Gracewood get reacquainted, their care and respect for each other blooms again. Filled with beautiful friendships, hope, and heart-aching yearning, this book is one you won\u2019t want to put down. \u2014Courtney Rodgers<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Confessions<\/a>Confessions of the Fox<\/a> by Jordy Rosenberg<\/p>\n

A notorious thief by the name of Jack Sheppard and a modern-day trans professor\u2019s obsessive search to discover his last confessions drive this propulsive story about identity, love, and liberation. When Dr. Voth uncovers a manuscript about an orphan sold into servitude in the eighteenth century, an orphan who desires to be called \u201cJack,\u201d he\u2019s certain he\u2019s found the writings of Jack Sheppard. But even as he learns Jack\u2019s tale and feverishly works to authenticate it, other powers are hard at work to steal it away. \u2014Rachel Brittain<\/a><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>The Lilac People<\/a> by Milo Todd<\/p>\n

Berlin in the 1930s is a good place to be queer \u2014 until the Nazis rise to power. Now, queer and trans people are being rounded up. In one fell swoop, Bertie loses his job at Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld\u2019s renowned Institute of Sexual Science and the Eldorado Club, where the once thriving queer community spent their nights. Bertie barely manages to escape with his life and his girlfriend, Sophie, fleeing to a farm where they pose as an elderly couple until the end of the war. But the Allied victory poses a new threat because while they\u2019re liberating everyone else, queer prisoners are being arrested. So when a young trans man still wearing prison clothes from a concentration camp collapses in their yard, Bertie and Sofie know they\u2019ll go to any length to protect him from the very people who claim to be rescuing the nation. \u2014Rachel Brittain<\/a><\/p>\n

This doesn\u2019t even scratch the surface of the great trans history books and historical fiction books out there! For more, check out this list of trans history books<\/a>, this list of trans historical fiction<\/a>, and this list of new trans historical fiction<\/a>.<\/p>\n

11 New Queer Books Out This Week: July 29, 2025<\/p>\n

As a bonus for All Access members, here are 11 more new queer books out this week, including the sapphic science fantasy book The Memory Hunters<\/a> by Mia Tsai and the satirical trans horror graphic novel Simplicity<\/a> by Mattie Lubchansky.<\/p>\n

\"cover<\/a><\/p>\n

Lonely Crowds<\/a> by Stephanie Wambugu (Sapphic Fiction)<\/p>\n

We Are The Match<\/a> by Mary E. Roach (F\/F Mafia Romance)<\/p>\n

The Elysium Heist<\/a> by Y.M. Resnik (F\/F Sci-Fi Romance)<\/p>\n

Astrolabe Rebirth<\/a> by Fei Tian Ye Xiang (M\/M Sci-Fi Romance)<\/p>\n

The Memory Hunters<\/a> by Mia Tsai (Sapphic Science Fantasy)<\/p>\n

The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World<\/a> by J.R. Dawson (Queer Fantasy)<\/p>\n

\"Simplicity<\/a><\/p>\n

The Needfire<\/a> by MK Hardy (Sapphic Gothic) (UK Release)<\/p>\n

A Raging Heart<\/a> (A Ruinous Fate #3) by Kaylie Smith (Bisexual YA Fantasy)<\/p>\n

Snotgirl Volume 4: Make It Make Sense!<\/a> by Bryan Lee O\u2019Malley and Leslie Hung (Sapphic Graphic Novel)<\/p>\n

Simplicity<\/a> by Mattie Lubchansky (Trans Guy Dystopian Graphic Novel)<\/p>\n

Heaven Official\u2019s Blessing Box Set (1-6)<\/a> by Mo Xiang and Tong Xi (M\/M Fantasy Manhua)<\/p>\n

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