From her early days on the island of Hawaii, to her days living with her father and family on the mainland, Janet Mock has always played by her own rules regardless of the consequences—and there were many. In her book, Redefining Realness, Janet tells her story of abuse, acceptance, and love, and her extraordinary journey to personal freedom. Some of her experiences are unimaginable and were difficult to read about. Her strength, convictions, and determination, however, have afforded her the opportunity to come out on top.

Janet bravely shares everything from her darkest to her brightest moments thus far and recalls every moment with grace. As a trans woman of color, she is a role model. She speaks from her own experiences and doesn’t pretend to understand everyone else’s plights. She explains her process emotionally, mentally, and physically, and she provides the reader with a new and insightful perspective. Ultimately, she embodies and proves that even the most unfortunate of beginnings can have the happiest of endings.

I have read a lot of memoirs and autobiographies, but as I began reading Janet Mock’s, within a few pages, I literally set the book down to make a verbal announcement that I was finally reading a book written by a real writer. Her writing makes you feel like you were in the room or in the moment with her as the event or the conversation unfolded. She is descriptive, imaginative, raw, inspiring, and real. She is a poetic storyteller and her bravery to tell her story—her whole story—leaves me in awe of her. She is candid about her childhood, her family, and her adolescent experiences that shaped the person that she is today. She is self-confident in a way that only comes from so many years of struggle, pain, suffering, and determination. She is smart enough and capable enough to transform negativity into amazing productivity and growth. I can’t recommend this book enough. You Absolutely must read it!

Redefining Realness has been selected as a recipient of an ARC Award.