Growing up, the stories I had access to about transgender people all ended in tragedy. After coming out for the first time to my then-therapist, he recommended I watch The Danish Girl “to feel less alone.” Needless to say, this did not give me a hopeful portrait of what my own life might look like. Frustrated, I sought out stories that ended happily—YA in my late teens and romance novels in my early twenties. I believed that if these characters could find somewhere they belonged, then I could, too. That sustained me through many heavy days, especially in the early years of my transition. I believe stories that capture suffering are important, too, for different reasons. But there are times when the heaviness weighs on me. Sometimes, when I am afraid of what my own future will hold, I want to read stories about trans folks where it turns out alright for them. I haven’t lost that desire for stories that bring hope. These eight book recommendations—ranging from cozy science fiction to contemporary romance—all star transgender and nonbinary characters whose stories end with a HEA (happily ever after). For whatever reason you seek them out, I hope they bring hope to your life when you need it most.
For more queer reading recommendations, dive into 10 of the Best Trans Historical Fiction Books—including The Thirty Names of Night by Zeyn Joukhadar.
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