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Redefining Realness
Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More | Janet Mock
New York Times Bestseller Winner of the 2015 WOMEN'S WAY Book Prize Goodreads Best of 2014 Semi-Finalist Books for a Better Life Award Finalist Lambda Literary Award Finalist Time Magazine 30 Most Influential People on the Internet American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book In her profound and courageous New York Times bestseller, Janet Mock establishes herself as a resounding and inspirational voice for the transgender communityand anyone fighting to define themselves on their own terms. With unflinching honesty and moving prose, Janet Mock relays her experiences of growing up young, multiracial, poor, and trans in America, offering readers accessible language while imparting vital insight about the unique challenges and vulnerabilities of a marginalized and misunderstood population. Though undoubtedly an account of one womans quest for self at all costs, Redefining Realness is a powerful vision of possibility and self-realization, pushing us all toward greater acceptance of one anotherand of ourselvesshowing as never before how to be unapologetic and real.
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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#bookhaul day book I am the most disappointed in the condition - I always choose great quality category and expect them to be a little but beat up but this HUGE sticker that will not come off the front cover? Super disappointed.
I have already read this and loved it, it will go into my little library for someone new to enjoy.

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AliD73
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AliD73
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AliD73
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Pickpick

This book is phenomenal. Janet Mock tells the story of her life from her childhood growing up in a broken, impoverished home in Hawaii to her transition from male to female and her life post transition. She describes the good and bad of her life, and there is so much more to this woman than just her transition. This book is moving, thought-provoking, and intelligently written. This woman has overcome much adversity in her life. Highly recommended.

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faelinwolf
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Tonight's silly Inara pose while I read. 😂 She's got one of her back feet on my toes. I love her so much. 😻 #CatsofLitsy

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faelinwolf
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A little late with my posting, but I did have this #BookSpin & #BookSpinBingo list done by 4/1, I swear! I'm not even going to post my March bingo board because it just wasn't good. I'm excited to start over this month! I got smart & included all the library books I have out & need to read because those are what usually trip me up.

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! A fresh start is always good. I drew the numbers on Friday, but I've posted a few times since then so just let me know if you can't find them!! 3y
faelinwolf @TheAromaofBooks I saw them! Thank you! 3y
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Centique
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Pickpick

Janet Mock writes of her life with so much grace to other people. She‘s unflinchingly honest about who she is, who she has always been and the difficulties she faced and the decisions she made, but with that she has a really clear perspective about the good and bad that was dealt to her by others. She manages to both tell a fascinating inspiring story of her own life ⬇️

Centique and to enlighten the reader as to other trans experiences. I‘m so impressed by her spirit and tenacity and I think I learnt a lot. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 3y
bibliobliss Wonderful book 3y
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Emilymdxn
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Pickpick

Janet Mock was so honest and open here, I can‘t imagine what it must have been like writing so unfinchingly about child sexual abuse, discrimination, sex work and drug use in her family, and still form it into a story that was uplifting, confident and optimistic at the end.

#nfn2020 @Clwojick +20
#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks one more down!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
readordierachel Loved this one 3y
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Brooklyn.anne
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Wow.

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tholmz
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Pickpick

Listened and loved.

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readordierachel
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An excellent memoir. Mock is unflinchingly honest about her experiences, and there is pain and sadness but also joy and fulfillment in her story. Also, I wasn't aware of her Hawaiian heritage before reading this, and I enjoyed learning a little of Hawaiian culture. Would recommend this to everyone.

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Kenyazero
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Janet Mock's memoir offers an in-depth look at her experiences discovering how to be herself and transitioning. She takes the time to discuss larger topics related to social issues, economic situations, trans experience, and gender as she tells her story. Her thoughtful book offers a powerful look at what it's like growing up without economic and social privledge and as a marginalized member of society. Highly recommended! #transgender #nonfiction

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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We are all striving to learn more, read more, & know more about so many important issues right now. I‘m going to try to make everyday for the rest of this month a #Recommendsday for me..all books by black authors or the current issue that I‘ve read & recommend.

Since it‘s also Pride Month, and the Supreme Court actually did the right thing with its LGBTQIA protections...I‘m going to start with this raw and honest memoir.
#BLM
#BLMReadingList

MicheleinPhilly I‘ve loved both of her books! She is wonderful! 4y
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KS1805
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Ibram Kendi mentioned this book in Stamped from the Beginning. I can‘t remember the exact quote he used but it was intriguing enough that I went out and looked for this book.

In a lot of ways, this book reminds me of Educated. It is so painful, Janet overcame so much. But it is the hope, the fight that sticks with me.

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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
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The memoir of Janet Mock, who is a trans woman, and her journey of self discovery. Another fantastic memoir!

Just started watching the TV series Pose (also amazing btw), and discovered that she is a writer, director & producer on that show! I also read that she is the first trans woman of colour to write for a TV series! I love reading books about strong women, they're so inspiring. Keep your damsels in distress, thank you.

#BlackHistoryMonth

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S3V3N
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Pickpick

This is the real deal. Sheesh, I'm glad I checked it out.

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I'm listening to this right now. It's really good so far. 4y
S3V3N @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I had the audiobook too. 4y
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Macnjen
Mehso-so

Quick read about the author's transgender transformation. I learned a little but overall the story was a lot of what a negative childhood the author had. More science would have been interesting, and less about the background.

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Macnjen
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Next book club book. I heard her speak at a college graduation this past December and was intrigued with her speaking style and story. I hope this is just as good.

Smrloomis I really loved this when I read it and at the time I had no idea who she was. Hope you enjoy it too. 4y
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mirsophie
Pickpick

I read this for my gender and communication class and I loved it. it opened my eyes to another part of the LGBTQ+ community. I found it not only educational but highly entertaining and inspirational as well.

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NeamhainHughes
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Pickpick

So many feelings. Her writing is amazing, her storytelling is fantastic, and it resonated so much with me. Even though so much of my life has been very different — I‘m white, afab, non-binary trans, with a different kind of family dysfunctions — I felt so seen and validated reading this book.

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klbwriting
Pickpick

It took awhile to finish due to the holidays but this was an amazing read and really helps you understand what some transgender people grow up dealing with and can be helpful for those trying to learn more to understand a trans friend or family member's struggle. Highly recommend.

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BellaBookNook
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Pickpick

This book has been on my TBR since I first saw Janet‘s interview with Oprah on Super Soul Sunday. This is my first book about a transgender person.
I listened to the audiobook version because she narrated it and I knew I would experience more listening to her speak her truth. There are trigger warnings (sexual abuse). For that reason I had to stop the audio from time to time. I am really glad that I finally read this book and highly recommend it.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa It‘s such a powerful book, and I agree I think it meant even more in audiobook in her own voice. 5y
BellaBookNook @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Definitely. She is so brave to be so open about her experience. Books can help us grow and I feel like this one did just that for me. 5y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BellaBookNook I know exactly what you mean. I love a great story, told in their own words. I think it‘s what makes readers much more compassionate and empathetic, we have lots of experience through reading putting ourselves in other people‘s shoes. 5y
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HeatherBookNerd
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Pickpick

Finished this one for book club this week and it‘s terrific. There are certainly some difficult things to wade through reading about her journey, but it is pretty amazing to see her personal determination to create the life she wanted. The book also highlights many of the particular difficulties faced by trans women of color and those with financial limitations.

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bibliobliss
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SkeletonKey
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Pickpick

I finished this last night when I couldn‘t sleep.

Janet Mock has not had an easy life and I‘m so glad that she‘s had so much success now. It just makes me sadder that what‘s often considered a best case scenario/outcome is often preceded by things that are so, so difficult. Looking forward to reading her new book.

#transbooks #lgbtq

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cocomass
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Well that was fast. Started this audiobook yesterday and was utterly riveted. I love this memoir. I‘m discovering that, as with Born a Crime, my favorite memoirs contextualize their individual experience within a greater social or societal construct. The stories are personal, but the message is broad. At times heartbreaking, this was a beautiful story of resilience, courage, and self love. Looking forward to reading her second book. 💜💚❤️💛💙🧡

readordierachel Good to hear! I have an audio copy of this waiting to be read. 6y
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cocomass
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Starting this audiobook today. I like to use June as an excuse to really dive into #LGBTQ authors.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

#pridereads

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Great book! 6y
cocomass @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I loved it! Have you read her second book? 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @cocomass Not yet, but I‘ll get to it.....eventually. (I know famous last book reader words) 6y
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SkeletonKey
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So it‘s Pride Month! I have a rough relationship with June and a lot of Feelings. That usually equates me ignoring it all together. But this month I‘m going to try to make most of my reading LGBTQ+ related and look those feelings in the face.

It‘s amazing how different it feels reading stories you relate to without having to translate those feelings from a cis/het perspective.

#lgbtq #transbooks #pride #trans #queerbooks

lovelybookshelf I read all trans and enby authors in April, I think it was. It was so refreshing, it was actually kinda hard to start reading cishet authors again. 6y
SkeletonKey @lovelybookshelf - I can see why, it‘s pretty wonderful so far 💜 6y
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bibliobliss
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• Parents who abandon their children! 😠 •

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bibliobliss
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• ...continued... •

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bibliobliss
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bibliobliss
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• Mock‘s descriptions of people are incredibly visual. Random side note: I love when physical characteristics are compared to food! Can‘t you just SEE this woman? 😆 •

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bibliobliss

“...I couldn‘t give him me while wrapped in secrets—stories I‘ve never told. They trap you, and you become so wound up in your own story, in the pain inflicted on you in the past that you‘ve worked hard to keep at bay...that you don‘t know what to believe anymore. Most important, you lose touch with yourself: The self you know, the you deep inside, is obscured by a stack of untold stories.”

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bibliobliss
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Mock writes beautifully and descriptively...

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bibliobliss

“My ultimate goal with Redefining Realness is to stand firmly in my truth. I believe that telling our stories, first to ourselves and then to one another and the world, is a revolutionary act. I hope that my being real with you will help empower you to step in to who you are and encourage you to share yourself with those around you. It‘s through my personal decision to be visible that I finally see myself.”

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bibliobliss

“We need stories of hope and possibility, stories that reflect the reality of our lived experiences. When such stories exist, as writer and publisher Barbara Smith writes, “then each of us will not only know better how to live, but how to dream.“

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bibliobliss

“Being exceptional isn‘t revolutionary, it‘s lonely. It separates you from your community. Who are you, really, without community? I have been held up consistently as a token, as the “right” kind of trans woman (educated, able-bodied, attractive, articulate, heteronormative). It promotes the delusion that because I “made it,” that level of success is easily accessible to all young trans women. Let‘s be clear: It is not.”

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bibliobliss
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ElizabethAndino
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Pickpick

5 stars, an incredibly inspiring story. I learned so much!

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ElizabethAndino
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Just starting to dig into this one. Memoir #4 of this year!

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Matchkim
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Pickpick

A great memoir to give a glimpse of what her life was/is like.

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bibliobliss
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• how do we grow as humans? by educating ourselves and opening up our minds to other experiences. I can‘t say “I understand you” until I‘ve honestly tried to listen... I‘m indulging a genuine interest in transgender identities and issues—not out of pure curiosity but also out of concern for my fellow human beings and their unique struggles. we all deserve our version of happiness. it shouldn‘t matter to society what that looks like •

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theinfophile
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Day 7 of #riotgrams is Black Authors

Janet Mock is mixed, as am I

#bookstagram #books #bookish #bookaholic #lgbtqia

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RealLifeReading
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#uncannyoctober day 24: #diversenonfiction
There are plenty of nonfiction books out there that I want to read. Yet I always just automatically turn to fiction when in search of my next read. I'm going to try to read at least two of these before the year is up though! Have you read any of these books?

gossamerchild Sherman Alexie's memoir is fantastic. He's such an amazing writer. 6y
xicanti REDEFINING REALNESS is wonderful. 6y
Lacythebookworm Redefining Realness 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 6y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage Redefining Realness is the only one of these I‘ve read. Janet Mock reads the audiobook, which I really liked! 6y
ReadingEnvy Nomad is very good, and I really want to read the Alexie. 6y
moranadatter I don‘t think so, but 3 of them are on my TBR already. What‘s the book in the top left corner? 6y
emtobiasz This one (top left) is fantastic, and also super short: (edited) 6y
RealLifeReading @moranadatter aha @emtobiasz has provided the title for you! Thanks! 6y
RealLifeReading @gossamerchild I love his work! 6y
RealLifeReading @Lacythebookworm @xicanti looking forward to it! @BarbaraTheBibliophage thanks! I'll have to go see if my library has the audiobook 6y
gossamerchild @RealLifeReading this one is especially spectacular. You get poetry, prose, and wicked sense of humor. 6y
RealLifeReading @ReadingEnvy I enjoyed Infidel although I read that quite a few years ago but only just today found out she has other books! 6y
moranadatter Thanks! @emtobiasz Thanks! I‘m curious how pointillism would work outside of art. Stacked! 6y
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kendrastephaniekaryn
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#5fordinner

I chose five women whose true stories have inspired and changed me. Having dinner with these women would be an amazing and empowering experience.

🔹Janet Mock
🔹Susannah Cahalan
🔹Amanda Lindhout
🔹Manal Al-Sharif
🔹Paige Rawl

Cinfhen Nice group🙌🏻 7y
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mhillis
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My #tbrbingo card in fall colors 🍁🍂
My first book will be Redefining Realness. I wanted to read it when it was a choice for @LitsyFeministBookClub but I've just been able to get a copy.

WhatDeeReads I'm in love with Janet Mock, 7y
quietlycuriouskate Hello! Rather later than I intended (sorry!) there's now a penpal letter on the way to you. 📝 7y
mhillis @River_Voice Thank you so much! I'll be looking for it📮 7y
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mhillis @WhatDeeReads Yes! So glad to have heard about this book on Litsy📚 7y
ChloeTallis Some great choices! @mhillis 7y
mhillis Thanks! A lot of them were kindle daily deals @ChloeTallis 7y
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Owlizabeth
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Thank you @Alicia - this has been on my TBR forever!!

Alicia Omg yay!!! I was so worried you already had it... ❤️❤️❤️📚📚 I love having Pen Pals to share my books with!! 7y
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Christine
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Pickpick

Wow. What a writer she is! I have admired her presence in various media and am really enjoying her new podcast, so it was high time I read her first book. She writes so beautifully and has an incredible level of insight about her experiences and identity. Her audiobook narration is also excellent. 🏳️‍🌈

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laurenanalepa
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#readingwomenmonth prompt #womenofcolor and #riotgrams prompt #booksthatmadeyoucry collide! It's been a while since I read a memoir, and I'm so glad I picked this one up. She speaks so candidly and thoughtfully about the hardships she's faced, always pausing to explain what they've taught her and the things she's learned since: she's kind with the way she educates her audience. I admire her more with every page, she's a wonderful role model.

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