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Trans Book of the Day

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A different trans book each day (+ the occasional podcast) | run by: @traeumenvonbuechern

A/S/L by Jeanne Thornton

A transformational, transformative story about video games, three queer friends, and the code(s) they learn to survive, from the winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Trans Fiction

It is 1998; Lilith, Sash, and Abraxa are teenagers, and they are making Saga of the Sorceress, a game that will change everything, if only for the three of them.

18 years later, Saga of the Sorceress still exists only on the scattered drives of its creators. Lilith might be the first trans woman to ever work as an Assistant Loan Underwriter at Dollarwise Investments in Brooklyn. Sash is in Brooklyn as well, working as a research assistant and part-time webcam dominatrix. Neither knows that the other is there, or that Abraxa, the third member of Invocation LLC, is just across the Hudson River, sleeping on the floor of a friend’s grandparents’ Jersey City home. They have never met in person, and have been out of touch for years, but none have forgotten the sorceress, or her quest, still far from finished.

This new book by Lambda Literary Fellow Jeanne Thornton, one of trans America’s brightest literary stars, queers our notion of nostalgia as it expertly blends literature with technology.

Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast by Possum Creek Games

Our story begins in a sprawling old house outside time and space, where it’s always September 15th and there’s always room for a new visitor. A teen girl sits on the windowsill, reading a well-worn paperback and listening to the splashy-crashy rain come down. She's alone in the world, but soon enough the strangers who reside here will become her closest friends, family, and mentors.

If you love slice-of-life fantasy, queer found family, and cutting-edge game mechanics, then read on!

Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast is many things. It’s a bed and breakfast, of course, but it’s also this book. And this book is a book, of course, but it’s also a role-playing game—the sort of game we can play with our friends around a table, or on a voice call while hanging out, or even very, very slowly by mail.

Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast is played over the course of 48 chapters, each of which is a 1 to 2-hour scenario with its own unique but quick-to-learn rules. Players can take control of one of the 7 long-term residents of the B&B or choose from a cast of 50 quirky guests, each of whom has their own ongoing storylines.

The adventures contained within each chapter include lazy afternoons, frightful nights, insurmountable chores, and zany competitions, so every play session is full of surprises. There are bespoke game rules for overcoming mountains of laundry, picking berries, surviving a trip to the scary basement, naming constellations, and everything else that matters in a slice-of-life story. These mechanics are simple and modular, meaning you only need to know the rules for the chapter in front of you. It can take as little as 15 minutes to start playing.

After each chapter, we’ll be able to make changes to our characters and to the book—unlocking new guests and chapters and advancing the individual storylines of each character who played. Whether they've traded their heart away for magic powers or are just doing the everyday business of growing up, everything about a character can change through play, including their core identities. Over time, your copy of Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast will become a unique artifact of your group's play experience, a treasure that you can revisit and replay for decades.

Yazeba's unusual blend of premade characters, modular rules, and legacy mechanics makes it a perfect game for pick-up play: busy players can drop in and out without ever feeling lost, and anyone who wants to jump in can make a long-term impact without a long-term commitment. We’ve spent months playtesting and working with our developmental consultant Avery Alder to make sure the game is as easy as possible for new players to step into, while still offering incredible depth for the more experienced player.

A Single Brutal Fate by Lee Paige O'Brien

SPOILERS FOR "A HUNDRED VICIOUS TURNS"!

A powerful spellcaster must find an ancient archive and escape a dangerous bargain to save their friend—and themself—in the second book in The Broken Tower saga, which New York Times bestselling author Andrew Joseph White called “a twisting, creeping mystery full of tenuous friendships, difficult choices, and beautiful magic."

Rat Evans knows that they shouldn’t have made a deal with Isola, a shadowy raven knight older than the stars and more powerful than the strongest arcanists. They know Isola can’t be trusted, know that promising to go with her once all of this is over was a mistake.

But they’d needed to make sure their friends were safe—that Harker was safe, even though they’re still not sure if he’s a friend or a rival or something more complicated. And even if Isola’s been keeping him locked away at the tower for almost two months.

Now Rat needs to search Bellamy Arts for answers on how to get Isola’s heart out of the Ingrid Collection. But even with the help of Will, Jinx, and Agatha, the doors to the collection might be the one puzzle Rat can’t solve, and Evening is fast on their heels.

The more Rat tries to use their powers to unravel the secrets of Isola’s heart and the Collection, the more they realize how intertwined they may be in all of this—and that their role in Isola’s game might be an even more dangerous one than they’d imagined. Will Rat find a way to escape their deal and save the boy they care about most? And what are they willing to risk in order to make sure that the tower and Isola are razed to the ground, for good this time?

Enthralling and filled with twists, the second book in the Broken Tower Saga combines the dark academia aesthetic of A Lesson in Vengeance with the queer rage of Hell Followed with Us and will have readers tearing through the pages to see how this duology ends.

A Hundred Vicious Turns by Lee Paige O'Brien

The heir to an arcane bloodline must outwit their ambitious rival to stop a ruthless magical adversary in a YA fantasy debut perfect for fans of A Lesson in Vengeance and Hell Followed With Us

Rat Evans, nonbinary heir to one of the oldest magical bloodlines in New York, doesn’t cast spells anymore. For as long as Rat can remember, they’ve been surrounded by doorways no one else sees and corridors that aren’t on any map. Then one day, they opened a passage and found a broken tower in a field of weeds - and something followed them back.

When Rat is accepted into Bellamy Arts, all they want is a place to hide and to make sure they never open another passageway again. But when the only other person who knows what really happened last year - Harker Blakely, the dangerously gifted trans boy who used to be Rat’s closest friend - turns up on campus, Rat begins to realize that Bellamy Arts might not be as safe as they’d thought. And the tower might not be through with them yet.

Soon, Rat finds themself caught in a web of secrets and long-buried magic, with their friend-turned-enemy at their throat. But the closer they come to uncovering the truth about the tower, the further they’re drawn toward the unsettling powers that threaten to swallow them whole.

Tiny Pieces of Skull by Roz Kaveney

In the 1980s, poet and activist Roz Kaveney wrote a novel, Tiny Pieces of Skull, about trans street life and bar life in London and Chicago in the late 1970s. Much admired in manuscript by writers from Kathy Acker to Neil Gaiman, it has never seen print until now… Funny and terrifying by turns, and full of glimpses of other lives, it is the story of how beautiful Natasha persuades clever Annabelle to run away from her life and have adventures, more adventures than either of them quite meant her to have…

The Dark One by Taylor Hubbard

"I didn't believe in magic."

When Finnian left home to go to university, he expected to return home with a degree and a job. But when his childhood friend comes seeking his help, Finnian must return home much sooner.

When he arrives he finds his best friend, Ciaran, has fallen under a spell. Desperate to find the cure, Finnian learns there are forces that are not to be messed with and the consequences are not as simple as death.

Little Blue Encyclopedia (for Vivian) by Hazel Jane Plante

The playful and poignant novel Little Blue Encyclopedia (for Vivian) sifts through a queer trans woman’s unrequited love for her straight trans friend who died. A queer love letter steeped in desire, grief, and delight, the story is interspersed with encyclopedia entries about a fictional TV show set on an isolated island.

The experimental form functions at once as a manual for how pop culture can help soothe and mend us and as an exploration of oft-overlooked sources of pleasure, including karaoke, birding, and butt toys. Ultimately, Little Blue Encyclopedia (for Vivian) reveals with glorious detail and emotional nuance the woman the narrator loved, why she loved her, and the depths of what she has lost.

A Basic Binary by D.C. Emerson

Penelope's done it. They’ve come out to friends and family as nonbinary, survived online dating, and now have an amazing partner to show for it. Their partner is everything they’ve ever wanted—sweet, funny, caring, and willing to dive into new fashion and new pronouns with Penelope. They’re more than ready to explore this new phase of their relationship, there’s just one thing, though. It’s been months and they still haven’t had a sleepover, let alone tackled intimacy between two genderqueer people.

Everything’s fine. There’s nothing to stress about. They’ll figure it out on their own time, and in the meantime, Penelope’s enjoying every day of their new relationship. That is, until Penelope gets a letter from their landlord saying they have three months to find a new place to live. Now, on top of working two jobs and attending couple’s sessions on genderqueer intimacy, Penelope has to figure out if there’s any way they’ll be ready to move in with their partner.

Follow the conclusion to Penelope’s story as they visit a wacky pop-up museum, attend a stressful engagement party, somehow end up in a friend’s delivery room, and, of course, spend time at the Rainbow Bean cafe.

A Basic Binary is an LGBTQ+ contemporary romance that explores love and intimacy in genderqueer relationships. It’s the second book in the Not So Normative series, a direct sequel to An Epic Construct. There’s enough context given to read as a standalone, but it will be much more enjoyable read after An Epic Construct.

Homegrown Magic by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos

A delightful queer romantic fantasy full of friends-to-lovers chemistry, found family, rival family drama, and cozy garden magic from two acclaimed YA authors making their debut in the adult space.

Yael Clauneck is the only scion of an obscenely wealthy banking family with its fingers in every pie in the realm. They’re on the precipice of a predetermined life when they flee their own graduation party, galloping away in search of…well, they’re not sure, but maybe the chance to feel like life can still be a grand adventure.

Margot Greenwillow—talented plant witch, tea lover, and greenhouse owner—has never felt further from adventure in her life. She’s been desperately trying to keep what remains of her family's magic remedies business afloat. So when her childhood friend and former crush, Yael, rides back into her life, she’s shocked. But perhaps this could be a good thing. After all, Margot could use an assistant in the greenhouses.

Yael has no experience or, honestly, practical skills, but they’re delighted to accept. They can lay low for a while, flirting with Margot while they figure out what to do next. Meanwhile, Margot has plans of her own—but plans are notoriously unreliable things, unlikely to survive a swiftly blooming mutual attraction, not to mention the machinations of parents determined to get their heir back . . . no matter the cost.

Yr Dead by Sam Sax

In between the space of time when Ezra lights themself on fire and when Ezra dies the world of this book flashes before their eyes. Everyone Ezra's ever loved, every place they've felt queer and at home, or queer and out of place, reveals itself in an instant. Unfolding in fragments of memory, Ezra dissolves into the family, religion, desire, losses, pains and joys that made them into the person that's decided on this final act of protest.

Told in lyric fragments that span both lifetimes and geography, Yr Dead is a queer, Jewish, diasporic coming of age story that questions how our historical memory shapes our political and emotional present. Visceral, propulsive, and at turns fluorescently beautiful and fluorescently tragic, Yr Dead is the electric debut novel from award-winning writer Sam Sax, one of our most dynamic and imaginative writers.

Emberclaw by L.R. Lam

SPOILERS FOR “DRAGONFALL”!

Long-banished dragons, revered as gods, return to the mortal realm in the second book in this magical, romantic, epic fantasy series from a Sunday Times bestselling author.

An ancient danger. A broken bond. The fate of two worlds hangs in the balance.

Arcady and Everen have been separated, parted by the Veil.

Alone in Vatra, Arcady embarks on their greatest con yet: posing as a noble student at the University, determined to prove their grandsire's innocence once and for all.

Imprisoned in Vere Celene, Everen is hated by his kind. When he is released to defend his people, visions of the past and the future haunt him. If he steers the wrong path, he may never create a future where humans and dragons can live in harmony.

Time is running out. Threats rise from Arcady's old life and their new. And between the worlds, an ancient danger is awakening. Together Arcady and Everen can face it - but only if they can find their way back together, and restore the trust that has been broken.

Dragonfall by L.R. Lam

The bestselling first book in the Dragon Scales duology, in which long-banished dragons, revered as gods, return to the mortal realm.

Dragonfall is a slowburn, lush and inventive romance between a thief and the last male dragon in human form. Drawn together by an ancient artifact, they soon face a power that could break the world

Long ago, humans betrayed dragons, stealing their magic and banishing them to a dying world. Centuries later, their descendants worship dragons as gods. But the "gods" remember, and they do not forgive.

Thief Arcady scrapes a living on the streets of Vatra. Desperate, Arcady steals a powerful artifact from the bones of the Plaguebringer, the most hated person in Lumet history. Only Arcady knows the artifact's magic holds the key to a new life among the nobles at court and a chance for revenge.

The spell connects to Everen, the last male dragon foretold to save his kind, dragging him through the Veil. Disguised as a human, Everen soon learns that to regain his true power and form and fulfil his destiny, he only needs to convince one little thief to trust him enough to bond completely--body, mind, and soul—and then kill them.

Yet the closer the two become, the greater the risk both their worlds will shatter.

The Soulmate Quest

The Soulmate Quest is about two princesses* with a potential soulmate bond going on a quest to kill a dragon and put a stop to their kingdoms’ war. They meet friends and allies along the way, learning about identity and choice (and falling in love).

The Soulmate Quest is a fantasy romance and adventure story consisting of three 15-30 minute episodes. It is a full-cast audio drama with an original score by Yana Ramos and Haven Blaine. It follows Princess Emma and Prince Jam(es) as they learn about the secrets their kingdoms have tried to keep quiet and get closer and closer to Tegot, almighty dragon and source of the world’s soulmate magic.

Jam was born with the name James on her left hand and Emma on her right. Emma was born with the opposite. Now it’s up to them to decide whether it’s worth the pain and fear of choosing for yourself in a world where such integral parts of yourself are chosen for you.

Want to enter a world of hidden magic and exiled monsters? A world where pre-determined soulmates are the norm and a god-like dragon is insisting upon a royal sacrifice? The world of The Soulmate Quest is waiting for you.

A Million Quiet Revolutions by Robin Gow

For as long as they can remember, Aaron and Oliver have only ever had each other. In a small town with few queer teenagers, let alone young trans men, they’ve shared milestones like coming out as trans, buying the right binders—and falling for each other.

But just as their relationship has started to blossom, Aaron moves away. Feeling adrift, separated from the one person who understands them, they seek solace in digging deep into the annals of America’s past. When they discover the story of two Revolutionary War soldiers who they believe to have been trans man in love, they’re inspired to pay tribute to these soldiers by adopting their names—Aaron and Oliver. As they learn, they delve further into unwritten queer stories, and they discover the transformative power of reclaiming one’s place in history.

Inara: Light of Utopia, edited by Yaffa As

"Inara: Light of Utopia" is a groundbreaking anthology that unites the voices of queer and trans Palestinians from around the world, each contributing to a vibrant mosaic set in a liberated Falasteen. This collection melds poetry, short stories, essays, visual art, and photography into a singular vision of freedom, love, and belonging. Within its pages lies a reimagined world, where the streets of historic cities resonate with the joyous laughter of those long silenced. "Inara" is not just a book; it's a beacon of hope, a celebration of identity, and a defiant cry for freedom. It invites readers into a utopia crafted from dreams of liberation, showcasing the resilience and beauty of the Palestinian queer and trans community. Join us in exploring a Falasteen reborn, where every voice sings of a future unbound.

Glitch Girl! by Rainie Oet

A middle grade novel in verse about a young trans girl who uses a video game to process an ADHD diagnosis, isolation, and their relationship to gender.

J—’s life is consumed by the roller coaster video game Coaster Boss, and by the power they exert over the pixelated theme park attendees. Their life outside the game, however, is less controllable.

Me. I’m such a big space. I break the universe, a glitch.

They're navigating ADHD, the loneliness of middle school, and an overwhelming crush on a girl named Junie. J— is convinced that Junie sees them as who they really are, a person who isn’t “bad” just because they don’t stay quiet and sit still in class. As a person who is realizing that the name they’ve been given doesn’t really fit them. And that maybe boy doesn’t either.

Glitch Girl! follows J— from fifth to seventh grade, from the beginning to the end of their obsession with Coaster Boss, and to the start of a new friendship. When J— meets Sam, a nonbinary classmate, they begin to realize that it's okay to not fit into neat, pixelated boxes.

Strange Bedfellows by Ariel Slamet Ries

In this stunning graphic novel by two-time Ignatz award–winning graphic novelist Ariel Slamet Ries, Oberon must choose between fantasy and reality when he develops the ability to conjure his dreams in real life—including the facsimile of the boy who got away.

In the not-too-distant future, most of humanity resides on its last-ditch effort at utopia: Meridian, a remote alien planet where you’re more likely to be born superhuman than left-handed. 

None of that is important to Oberon Afolayan. Since his mildly public breakdown, his whole life seems to be spiraling out of control—from dropping out of university to breaking up with his boyfriend, it seems like only a karmic inevitability when he wakes up one day with the ability to conjure his dreams in the real world. 

Oberon’s newfound powers come with a facsimile of his high school crush, Kon, who mysteriously dropped off the face of the planet almost three years ago and who is a little more infuriating (if not also infuriatingly hot)than Oberon remembers. 

Kon makes it his mission to turn Oberon’s life around, and while they struggle to get a handle on his powers and his disastrous personal life (not to mention the appearance of strange nightmare creatures), it turns out this dream version of Kon has secrets of his own—dangerous ones. 

Oberon might have more on his plate than he originally thought, but is giving up his dreams—even the one he might have accidentally fallen in love with—the only way to find happiness in reality? 

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