She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders by Jennifer Finney Boylan

This book is the true story of a person changing genders. The author, Jennifer Finney Boylan, began her male to female transition in 2000. This memoir tells Boylan’s story of the secret she lived with for so many years and how she finally admitted she could no longer escape its powerful hold on her. It is also so much more. It is a story about the power of love and acceptance. It is humorous, touching, thought provoking, and sometimes sad. Originally published in 2003, this second edition published in 2013 includes sections written by Boylan’s best friend, novelist Richard Russo, and by Boylan’s wife Deirdre, as well as an update from Boylan herself. The message of this book is best summed up in a passage from a letter Boylan wrote and sent to family, friends, and colleagues explaining her transsexualism and journey from Jim to Jenny: “. . . [W]e all have dragons to slay in life. This one is mine. I hope that doing so will provide a model to others on how to find the bravery to be true to oneself, even if it means doing something that seems impossible.” 322 pages.