Book Review: love lives here

 

love lives here, A Story of Thriving in a Transgender Family.
By Amanda Jetté Knox

This is the story of a family of five living in Kanata.  Amanda Jetté Knox writes with honesty and sincerity about her family and how they are thriving because they “lead with love”.  

Her book is a very easy read and has broadened my understanding of people who are transgender in the hope that I may learn to live up to Kanata United’s commitment of being a caring and inclusive community.

I highly recommend love lives here. It is suitable for young adults and adults. It is available in the church library and from the Ottawa Library

Link to Ottawa Public Library :

https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S26C1165854

Book Review - Gay Like Me by Richie Jackson

 

Richie Jackson and his first husband had twins boys by a surrogate mother.  They were born 3 months premature and one boy died.  Some years later the dad’s separated and Richie remarried Jordan.  Together they continued to raise their first son and then another.

This book is from Richie to their son explaining life in America from one gay man to another.  Their son is off to college and Dad wants to impart some knowledge to help along the way.  

The writing is very honest and direct.  Dad is very proud to know his son is gay but wants him also to know that America doesn’t see him as an equal…yet.

I appreciated the honesty of this book and Richie’s spirited perspective.

Gay Like Me is available from the Ottawa Public Library.

Book Review - The Story of Silence by Alex Myers

The Story of Silence takes place in England in the 13th century.  It is about a boy named Silence, who is a girl.  Their father raised him as a boy because there was a royal decree that family’s possessions could not be passed to a female.

This book is for those who love fantasy with dragons, wizards and serpents.  I enjoyed reading a transgender story from centuries ago.

The Story of Silence is available at the Ottawa Public Library as a book and as an e-book.

Book Review - Over the Top by Jonathan Van Ness

 

Jonathan Van Ness is a hairstylist, podcaster, comedian and television personality living in New York City.  

As a boy growing up in Midwest USA, he constantly felt he didn’t fit in, was bullied and had to fight to find safety.  Then as a teen and adult he moved into self-destruction mode.  He needed great courage and determination to be himself.  

Jonathan is definitely an extrovert, very outlandish and loves every minute of it.  I enjoyed his stories as they are wild and let you in on a very different perspective.  His perspective helped me to learn and understand. 

Over The Top is available from the Ottawa Public Library as a book, e-book and an audio book.

Book Review - She's My Dad by Jonathon S. Williams

 

 

The author of this book, Jonathan S. Williams, is a pastor at a church in Brooklyn N.Y.  His Dad, Paula Stone Williams, is also a pastor.

 

As a married man, with a young son, Jonathan’s father Paul announces to all the family that he can no longer live as a man.  Paul first told his wife, then his grown daughters and last made the trip from Denver to Brooklyn to speak with his son, Jonathan.

 

All Jonathan’s life he has looked up to his father and followed in his Dad’s footsteps to become a pastor.   His father is his most trusted confidante.  While both men are open to the concept of LGBTQ, this news is devastating to Jonathan. 

 

She’s My Dad includes letters between father and son and describes Jonathan’s grief over losing his Dad and learning to accept his father, Paula.

 

I recommend this book for its insight into transition and how one’s transition affects oneself and each member of a family. 

She's My Dad is available in the Kanata United Church Library.

She's Not There : A Book Review

She’s Not There by Jennifer Finney Boylan

Jenny wrote her memoir, She’s Not There, in 2003.  In it, she tells her story of growing up in a loving family as James Boylan, marrying Grace and together having two sons.  At the age of 40, James is unable to continue living as a man and begins his transition to being a woman, Jenny.

Before transitioning James talks with his wife, his mother, and his best friend.

James wife, Grace, is heartbroken to loose her husband, and their family life, with him as a man.  James mother, now in her later years and a conservative Christian woman, wrapped her arms around James and told him, love will prevail. His best friend, Richard, is completely shocked and pledges support.

This is a very sensitive, well-written book of love, kindness and commitment.  I highly recommend it as a great read from Kanata United’s library.