Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Woodworking
Woodworking | Emily St James
12 posts | 9 read | 1 reading | 20 to read
"Big-hearted and hilarious, an ode to authenticity and a must-read in our current times." --Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures One of Book Riot's and The Mary Sue's 15 Most Anticipated Queer Books of 2025 - One of The Millions', Kirkus's, The AV Club's, Them's, and LGBTQ Reads's Most Anticipated Books of 2025 - One of Vol. 1 Brooklyn's, Autostraddle's, LA Times's, and BookBrowse's Most Anticipated Reads of March 2025 - One of Bustle's Best Books of Spring 2025 - Matty Maggiacomo's March Book Club Pick An unforgettable and heartwarming book-club debut following a trans high school teacher from a small town in South Dakota who befriends the only other trans woman she knows: one of her students. Erica Skyberg is thirty-five years old, recently divorced--and trans. Not that she's told anyone yet. Mitchell, South Dakota, isn't exactly bursting with other trans women. Instead, she keeps to herself, teaching by day and directing community theater by night. That is, until Abigail Hawkes enters her orbit. Abigail is seventeen, Mitchell High's resident political dissident and Only Trans Girl. It's a role she plays faultlessly, albeit a little reluctantly. She's also annoyed by the idea of spending her senior year secretly guiding her English teacher through her transition. But Abigail remembers the uncertainty--and loneliness--that comes with it. Besides, Erica isn't the only one struggling to shed the weight of others' expectations. As their unlikely friendship evolves, it comes under the scrutiny of their community. And soon, both women--and those closest to them--are forced to ask: Who are we if we choose to hide ourselves? What happens once we disappear into the woodwork? Detransition Baby meets Fleishman is in Trouble in this remarkable debut novel from an incisive contemporary voice. A story about the awkwardness of growing up and the greatest love story of all, that between us and our friends, Woodworking is a tonic for the moment and a celebration of womanhood in all its multifaceted joy.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
TrishB
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image

#quicklunchtimeread
On campus, escaping the office because everyone is doing my head in!

Cathythoughts Enjoy❤️ 3d
squirrelbrain I‘ve been meaning to start this book all week - haven‘t had time. 🤦‍♀️ 3d
TrishB @squirrelbrain I‘m really enjoying it so far! Same as you though- not much reading time! 3d
CarolynM That looks delicious! Glad to hear you‘re enjoying the book 2d
70 likes4 comments
review
Meshell1313
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image
Pickpick

Another great #camplitsy25 pick! I loved this story about found families, bravery in the face of adversity, and being your authentic self. Can‘t wait to discuss it at camp! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

squirrelbrain I‘m hoping to start this today - really looking forward to it! 4d
Ruthiella I really liked this one too! 4d
AmyG I am really enjoying this. 4d
See All 6 Comments
Lesliereadsalot It‘s up next for me. Glad you liked it! 3d
Megabooks I‘m so excited about this! Glad you liked it! 3d
Reggie I loved this one so much. 3d
47 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
Reggie
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image
Pickpick

I love this book so much. Erica, a teacher in her 30s has just realized she‘s a trans woman. She befriends Abigail, the only trans girl at her high school in a small South Dakota town. Their friendship will change their lives forever. This was hilarious, Abigail makes this book, touching, messy, so messy. It highlights the importance of community and support from one queer person to another. The importance of living an authentic life. So good!

BarbaraBB Great review. Seems like a perfect CampLitsy read! 1w
Reggie @BarbaraBB thanks! This was a great unintentional Pride month read. 1w
squirrelbrain I‘m really looking forward to this! 1w
See All 9 Comments
CarolynM Great review. Looking forward to reading it at camp😆 1w
TrishB Looking forward to it 👍🏻 1w
Lesliereadsalot Got this one coming up for camp. Thanks for the review! 1w
Reggie @squirrelbrain @CarolynM @TrishB @Lesliereadsalot when I was a young clueless queer going to a secondhand bookstore, I stumbled onto some queer greats. I can only hope some kid or adult stumbles upon this when they need it. Hope ya‘ll like it. 6d
Centique This sounds wonderful! Great review Reggie 😍 4d
Rissreadswithcats Sounds fabulous! Stacked! 4h
67 likes7 stack adds9 comments
quote
Reggie
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image

This book is freaking hilarious. Just for context. Erica is a trans woman not fully realized yet as when we meet her she is still presenting as male. In the book she‘s always called Erica and her deadname is grayed out. It‘s all fascinating.

AmyG It is fascinating. I‘m really enjoying it. 1w
willaful Looking forward to this one. 1w
TheBookHippie Waiting on my hold … 1w
See All 14 Comments
Amor4Libros I have to get back to this one 😅 1w
CarolynM Sounds great. Stacked🙂 1w
Ruthiella I loved this one. It was both moving and very funny. I pictured Abigail as a version of Heather Mooney from Romy and Michelle‘s High School Reunion. She has that kind of energy. 1w
Reggie @AmyG I‘m loving Abigail so much. 1w
Reggie @willaful it‘s sooo good. 1w
Reggie @TheBookHippie hopefully it shows up soon! 🤞🏼 1w
Reggie @Amor4Libros yes you do. 1w
Reggie @CarolynM you‘ll love it. 1w
Reggie @Ruthiella yes!!!! The whole “I could give a shit, I‘d rather put this cigarette out in my eye.” But then she shows up cause underneath it all she really cares. Lolol she‘s sooooo funny. 1w
sarahbarnes Looking forward to this one! 1w
Reggie @sarahbarnes it‘s soooooo good. I just finished it. You‘ll like it. 1w
50 likes2 stack adds14 comments
review
BkClubCare
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image
Pickpick

LOVED THIS. And it truly did have me laughing out loud. Team Abigail!

#June2025 Book49 #AsheCoNCReadingChallenge Furniture 🪑 on the cover category.

squirrelbrain Yay! I‘m looking forward to this one! 3w
AmyG I am reading this and also loving it. 3w
Christine YES! In my top five of the year for sure and probably will be staying there. 3w
BarbaraBB Oh that is encouraging! Looking forward to reading and discussing it at #CampLitsy25! 3w
pyjamaviking Adding this one to my TBR! Thank you for my #summercardswap card! :) Hope you have a lovely summer! 2w
53 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
BarbaraJean
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image

This library hold arrived early for my #CampLitsy25 reading. I need to start it soon, since it‘s due back on June 11!

#SundayFunday

BookmarkTavern That looks like an interesting read! Thanks for answering! 3w
30 likes1 comment
blurb
mcctrish
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image

One more #camplitsy read has been acquired ( and treats)

StayCurious I love seeing book snacks! 3w
59 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
BkClubCare
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image

Library hold ready for pickup!

Oh! Just realized that the cover art would count for a challenge of “Furniture on Cover”!! #AsheCoNCReadingChallenge2025

40 likes1 stack add
review
GidgetsTreasures75
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image
Pickpick

5-23-25:My 35th finished book of 2025! Woodworking is a term used when you are trying hide within the woodwork, or hide your identity.There is a lot of that in this story but much of it comes to the surface as the story progresses.Erica,or Mr. Skyberg,is an English teacher who has a trans teenager in her class.Due to Abigail‘s forthright nature,Erica decides it is finally time to start her transition. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📖#️⃣3️⃣5️⃣

blurb
LitsyEvents
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image

repost for @Megabooks:

Once again I will be your camp counselor for July, and I am so excited to discuss these books!

I have already read Death of the Author, and I have been dying to discuss it because it is so unique. Woodworking is new to me, and I‘m so excited for us to explore it together.

I‘ll be posting page breaks later, but I hope you can join me July 5/6 and 12/13 for Author and July 19/20 and 26/27 for Woodworking! 🏕️😁 #CampLitsy25

Megabooks Thanks for sharing!! 1mo
35 likes1 comment
review
Christine
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image
Pickpick

I adored this. The characters and their messiness and growth, the Midwest setting, and so much sweetness and humor (alongside plenty of complex issues, painful moments, and emotional depth that felt really authentic) made this such a joy to read. Even when a few plot turns strained credulity, I quickly came around to loving those choices made by St. James (whose work I've appreciated since her A.V. Club days!). Fantastic audio, too.

BarbaraBB Great review. I hope we‘ll read it for #CampLitsy25 this summer! 2mo
Megabooks This is 💯💯 on my TBR. Great review!! 2mo
Christine @BarbaraBB @Megabooks I‘ll be voting for it and would reread in a heartbeat! 2mo
BarbaraBB That‘s theee votes already ❤️ 2mo
57 likes3 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Amor4Libros
Woodworking | Emily St James
post image

Currently reading…

It‘s going well. This is promising to be hilarious, and I‘ve chuckled a few times already. #arc