I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book, by a newly discovered author. Coyote writes with much humour and compassion, and evoked so many memories for me. Fighting with siblings over the best individual cereal boxes with the perforated lines. Are You There God, it's Me Margaret. Crime of the Century. Tea for the Tillerman. Twister. Lite Brite. Many parts of my childhood resurfaced while I read this engaging book.

I finished this in one sitting and had to have a little cry. Moving and fantastically well written.

I didn't love this book. All of it was deeply relatable - maybe relatable to a point of me not feeling any need to read my daily experiences written out by someone else. I know, I know what it feels like to be yelled at in public women's bathrooms because they think you're a man. How unsafe it feels to have to get changed in 'women's' changing rooms - the stares, the whispers, being seen as a creep.What I understand as well is being so tired of being seen as 'less than' (especially in your teens...

"I am not trapped in the wrong body; I am trapped in a world that makes very little space for bodies like mine"I have been trying to write a review for this book all morning, but I just can't think of the words for Coyote's writing. I absolutely loved this book.

In case you had the wild notion that it wouldn’t be: Ivan Coyote’s latest and unbelievably 11th book is just as great, and possibly greater, than everything they’ve done up until now. If you’ve never read an Ivan Coyote book before, Tomboy Survival Guide would be a great one to start with, as I think it really shows this celebrated writer and storyteller at the height of their powers. But if you’ve read every single book Coyote has written, and seen them multiple times doing live performances li...

I loved this! I really missed reading Ivan Coyote's writing. It's just so... fortifying.

Everyone should read this. There were a few stories not quite as strong as the others, but it feels like I am quibbling.

All the feels."If anyone pinches anyone non-consensually, a unicorn can smell it and avoid the area, sometimes for months after the incident."this made me way too happy.

My friend Becki gave this book to me when she finished reading it for Curious Iguana's Read Broader initiative, and I'm so grateful she did. Ivan Coyote is a wonderful storyteller--honest, warm and true.

The Canada Reads 2018 theme is "one book to open your eyes"... This memoir made the long list but shockingly not the short list?! It can only be defined as an eye opening read for anyone, particularly those of us that fall into the mainstream heterosexual culture. Even those who claim to be open minded and welcoming.... Ivan Coyote invites us into the inside pysche and constant turmoil, even in acceptance, those who define themselves as Trans, deal with every single day. It's brilliant, beautifu...

"I am not trapped in the wrong body, I am trapped in a world that makes very little space for bodies like mine." This book is warm, well written, and moving. Detailed snapshots of Ivan's life show their struggles with not fitting into a gender binary as a young tomboy turned butch. But Ivan also highlights the pockets of beauty throughout their life, such as the relationship with their grandmother, who had secrets of her own she didn't share until much later in her life. I felt like I was really...

I loved this book. Ivan is an amazing storyteller and I felt so many emotions while reading tales of their life. I identified with so much of it. I laughed. I cried. Each of the chapters were touching, some in ways that I didn't expect. this is a must read for anyone who has ever given any thought to what gender is and what it is like to live somewhere beyond the two tiny boxes that our society has given us.

This is the second book I have read by this author. I thoroughly enjoy their writing style. So easy to read. I read their work to get a better understanding of the transgender experience. I always remember Oprah saying something along the lines of, when you know better, you do better. I think we can all do better. It is always great to know that no matter what we are going through that we are not alone. This book (and also Care Of) can be that for the LGBTQ2+.#indigoemployee

As always, Ivan Coyote gets me right in the feels. I haven't encountered any other authors' works that make me feel as understood, comforted, and part of a community. As a gender non-conforming person, their stories soothe my soul especially in these tumultuous political times.In this collection of all new stories, Ivan weaves tales of first loves, navigating growing up different, dealing with strangers and friends and gender, unexpectedly inspirational school presentations, and how grandparents...

3.5 stars. I like Ivan Coyote's story-telling style a lot, and would love to see them perform one day. This memoir/collection has an easy humour and is moving, as it explores their working-class Yukon/BC roots, family history, and experiences living first as a lesbian and then as transgender. It was less of a revelation for me than their previous work with Rae Spoon, Gender Failure, but I think would make a great introduction for many readers who aren't all that familiar with transgender issues

You know what I love in a person? Competence. You know what else I love? Intelligence. Layer on top of all that a good dose of kindness, and I am smitten. Completely in love. I have fallen for Ivan E. Coyote in the same way that I am star-struck and weak-kneed over Barack Obama and Carol Off. I'm awed and breathlessly impressed. I want to have Coyote over for dinner. I want them to speak at my kids' school -- and maybe they will, if I have anything to do with it. I can't wait to have the opportu...

You don't have to look a certain way to be a tomboy. Don't let anyone tell you that, ever, and please don't find that here in my words. Tomboy thrums in your heart. It's in your head. It's what is holding your spine in place. It can't be hidden by a haircut. It's not about nail polish or not. It's running right now in your veins. If it is in you, you already know. Tomboy blood is so much bigger than the outside of you. I guess I'm late to the Ivan Coyote party. Tomboy Survival Guide is their

My new shirt. Plaid on the outside, but with flowers on the inside. Just like me.

'Writing about vulnerable things doesn't make me feel vulnerable. Writing about my tenderest bits is the only way I know how to have power over them. Staying silent would leave me alone with them. My silence is what makes me vulnerable.'I have all the feels for this book and this beautiful human. There is such warmth in these stories, I cried more than a few times at points of difference and similarity. Read it so you understand, even just a little, what that other life is like - that life you h...

they made me cry and laugh at the same time, and help me realize a bit more of who I am. this is how I want to write.