Gender Queer is an autobiographical comic by Maia Kobabe. It is the story of how e grew up and figuring out eir gender identity and sexuality (and how they intersect).

This edition had an introduction from ND Stevenson, mentioning the terrifying and heartbreaking realities of book banning as well why books like this one are so important. I do think the confrontation with this information influenced my reading and made me more aware of how deeply important stories like this one are. I am very glad books like this one exist and grateful that I got to read it.
It is one person's story so of course it cannot show all experiences, nor does it attempt to.I really appreciated how it explained many different ideas and emotions and gave me a bigger understanding of nonbinary identity (as well as a lot of book recommendations)! Some parts were mentioned a little bit quickly or were not explained as much as I would have liked. In particular I would have found it interesting to see more of the conversation about some of the issues that were brought up and the explanation against those arguments, but I also understand that it would have impacted the tone of the story and might have made it more negative, so it is an understandable choice.
I did think the story ended very abruptly and I would have liked to have a bit more story or some kind of conclusion or reflection. However, as is also mentioned in the novel, this might be an ongoing process of learning and hard to explain in the concise way that fits a conclusion.

Overall this was a very personal story (which makes me feel a bit weird even rating it) with an art style that I personally really liked and some interesting information. I think this book is a good starting point, after which it would be useful to look into other stories about the same topic to understand that gender is a very personal thing and although many people can experience similarities, it is different for everyone.

TW: medical trauma, dysphoria, (menstrual) blood, misgendering, transphobia, Harry Potter references

Big thank you to the awesome Oni Press for providing me with an early copy of the deluxe edition of Gender Queer!

Gender Queer has been on my TBR since it came out. At that time, I was questioning my gender (or there lack of possibly), so I wanted to read anything that had to do with gender identity.
However, I was scared of being questioned as to why I was reading it even though many in the book community online was. Fear, I tell you.

Years passed, I came out as non-binary, and many bookstore trips passed. Yet I never purchased this memoir 'cause it no longer felt needed, but I kept it at the back of my mind.
Then one day, I got really lucky going through Netgalley and noticed the deluxe edition was up for request and now here we are.

The art style is so beyond stunning. From the font and where it is placed to the actual art style to the color pallet... it is just perfectly beautiful. There were moments I just stared at a page to take it every single detail.

Now, the way the story was told did confuse me sometimes. There were moments we would go back and forth in certain parts, which would throw me off but would only last for a few seconds.

All in all, I really enjoyed my time reading and taking in this memoir. There were so many moments that made me smile and made me emotional. For some reason, though, the scene with the underwear made me happy cry. Not exactly sure why, it could be how perfect the happiness was drawn that made me full of joy, but all I know is that I cried.

As many of us know, this graphic novel memoir is listed in 'books to ban' lists since it came out and has been mentioned a lot more this year. This is a very important story that can be so helpful to so many people, young and old alike, so we need to do what we can to have this graphic memoir be at easy access for everyone. Buy it if you can, and have a copy accessible.

I don't typically rate memoirs, but I just cannot help myself. Highly recommend to everyone!

⭐️ 5 STARS ⭐️

Fascinating insight to the author's mind. I learned things about myself along the way as well! It's straight-forward instead of dancing around topics which I enjoyed. I would recommend this to any adults wanting to understand more about gender identity.

I felt so behind because I hadn't read GENDER QUEER yet, so I was so glad to receive an e-arc of the deluxe edition! What a beautiful, timely text -- I loved Kobabe's art style and eir thoughtful exploration of gender and sexuality. I particularly loved that while the narrative evolves, it never feels completely 'settled': there's always room for doubt and possibility. Simply put, this memoir is a must-read for teens & young adults & everyone else!

Gender Queer is a beautiful, honest insight into what discovering your own identify and coming out could look like. Maia shares eir life with us in an easy to read and understand way, and provides a point of view that many of us will never experience.

I genuinely believe that everyone - queer and cisgender alike - should read this book. Whether you want to know more about gender and being queer, suspect you may be queer, or someone you care about is queer or is questioning if they are queer, Gender Queer will answer so many of your questions and help you understand the nuances of gender identity, and how it may change as a person understands more about themselves and how they identify.

I hope this book makes it onto shelves for young people who need it. As a teacher, the introduction really touched me, and this kind of representation is so very important for young people who are questioning who they are and what they may identify as. I hope the author can be the role model for others that e needed when e was younger.

I lastly want to clarify my 4⭐️ rating of Gender Queer, because it feels somewhat of a disservice to rate a book this helpful and important as less than 5 stars, but I only rate a book 5⭐️s if I think I will reread it, and I while I would absolutely recommend it to everyone, I do not think I will reread it.

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this memoir through NetGalley. In reading the introduction from N.D. Stevenson, I felt that same sort of longing for role models and strong support systems, those secret quests to find myself in something else, somewhere else. Kobabe’s art is charming and I can really relate to eir experiences in a way that makes me feel seen. The art itself also invokes a sense of nostalgia for me.

The journey to figuring out your identity can be a challenging one–especially when you lack the words that would best describe you. The journey of self-discovery is so personal and intimate, with each being entirely unique in this world. Kobabe’s memoir gives us such an intimate look into part of eir journey in self-discovery. Kobabe’s memoir touches on gender identity and exploration, sexual orientation, and the expectations we place on ourselves.

I think Kobabe really touched on support systems and the lack of support or understanding nonbinary or transgender people might face. In eir comic, one that really struck me eir family member initially saw the “trend” of “FTM trans and genderqueer young people” as misogyny. While this family member does love em and wants to see em happy, her words still have an impact, as many people can possibly relate.

This memoir is touching, extremely touching. Reading Kobabe’s book feels like reading the words of a friend. I enjoyed “Gender Queer” immensely and I hope that you will have a happy time reading!

A powerful graphic novel and story! Gender Queer follows the author on eir journey of discovering themselves, eir sexuality, and eir gender. Even if this story is not your story, there are a lot of things that you might find relatable, from first OBGYN exams, to trying to figure out crushes and dating, to learning how to express yourself through what you wear.

This was a fast read, and an important one too, for both people trying to understand the nonbinary concept and for people going through these things themselves. The art was cute and got the point across. It made me feel a lot throughout it! To watch anyone, whether in person or via a memoir, grow up and develop into the person they want to become is vulnerable for both the author and the reader, and I thought Kobabe did a beautiful job of that.

Thanks to Netgalley and Oni Press for the e-ARC!

This book does not meet my collection policy for the ages I serve as a librarian (11-14).

BUT

This is a lovely exploration of the author's journey towards an understanding of self. I believe older teens and adults of all ages would benefit from a reading of this book.

I read Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer in a single gulp today, unable to tear myself away from the narrative and from Kobabe's journey of self-understanding. I so appreciate the memoir's honesty and vulnerability, which invited me to understand from the inside a "gender nonbinary, bisexual, aromantic, mostly asexual" (256) identity, an identity that is not my own. Kobabe's identity is a work in progress (as is true for all of us), and the last words of the memoir are poignant: "Next time. Next time I will come out" (243).

Kobabe's sibling is the colorist for the comics, and the book is wonderfully vibrant, in a palette of jewel tones.

This book is an important addition to high school libraries.

Thank you for the ARC of Gender Queer!

Wow. I could not put this down. I was in awe of Maia's story and the simplicity with which e was able to breakdown the most daunting of concepts of gender ideology for anyone to understand and supporting em's journey. I feel weird using "journey" in this sense but we follow em through conversations with loved ones (the section on pronouns being helpful, and forgiving) to defining em's sense of fashion and discovering products to help em present emself how e wants to be seen by others to give em the confidence needed.

I'll be honest, this book was not on my radar until it made a large group of people I fundamentally disagree with on everything ridiculously angry. This book helped me better understand individuals who reside somewhere along the gender spectrum and how they want to be best be supported - at the most basic level. It's an important book, not just for people with friends or family members who identify like Maia, but for people who truly want to understand gender from the point of view of someone trying to live their life truly as themselves.

I've already recommended this book to people and I finished it about 15 minutes ago.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A memoir about an artist’s journey to discovering eir sexuality and gender identity. Maia Kobabe’s autobiographical comic is emotional and candid beyond belief, encouraging readers to reflect on their own experiences and become comfortable in their identities.

Spoilers ahead.

Gender Queer is one of the most important books I’ve ever read. Confused doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about who I am. This was the first book that…validated that? It was so refreshing to read (and see) how Maia grappled with eir gender identity. E went through several labels before finding ones that sort of fit. But even those labels didn’t? And though I get how painful that is, I also liked that there wasn’t something definitive there. I think labels help to understand who you are but they can also feel a little constricting–at least for me. Anyway, there were so many things mentioned in the comics that made me feel less alone like preferring to keep my hair short and getting annoyed with waxing/shaving. Kobabe mentions how e wished gender wasn’t a thing. That was super relatable too and I’ve never found such a succinct way to articulate that thought.

"I don’t want to be a girl. I don’t want to be a boy either. I just want to be myself."


Gender Queer absolutely MUST be required reading for all younglings. It’s a nuanced exploration of self-identity and I feel so lucky to have read this now when my brain is still malleable and open-minded. There’s something in this book for everyone.

This was a beautiful graphic memoir that really highlights the way we view gender in society and the needleless pressure we put on children to conform to one gender. The graphics were wonderful and I felt like we really understood the journey Maia had been on.

A perfect 1st POV of what it is like to grow up having to question and hide your sexuality and the journey that can ensue from discovering it. I think this is a great graphic novel to help young people who are going through this same journey.

I was recommended this Memoir by a friend but sadly my library didn't have a copy. I was delighted when I saw the Deluxe edition on NG and when I was approved.. ecstatic! I have devoured this book in just a few short hours and it has almost made me cry with joy and euphoria. I had a feeling this would be a rather hard hitting memoir but I wasn't expecting it to be so relatable to my own experiences with gender. Maia has been brutally honest about eir experience and I can never express my full gratitude for this honesty and the hope it has given me. Thank you Maia.

Maia Kobabe (e/em/eir) didn't think ey would ever write a graphic novel based on eir life - but here it is in all it's glory. This autobiographical memoir lets us journey with Maia into eir chilhood, and through moments in life full of confusion, realisation and discovery in it's unfiltered, uncompromising authenticity.

"These realisations were like gifts I gave myself."

This story flowed beautifully, each key moment being remembered with striking detail with beautiful reflections - from discovering that different sexualities are possible, to the different ways of coming out, to the pride and beautiful content that comes with self-actualisation.

Aside from this, ey provide stunning discourse on the universal magic of reading, the profound impact of a supportive family and the strange assumptions and expectations placed on women and AFAB people.

The visual style was striking, evoking emotions, nostalgia and familiarity - which gave the entire story such a distinct voice. It felt like the reader and the author having a conversation, one of those ones that goes on for hours until the early hours of the morning where you bare your soul to a valued friend. It was so easy to read, not only because of the seamless story but the accessible format and font.

Something ey said resonated with me somewhere deep - "I don't want to be a girl. I don't want to be a boy. I just want to be myself." - and this is the main thing I took from this book, a celebrating of the validating, clarifying experience that comes from simply allowing yourself to be yourself. Because there isn't a wrong way to be yourself.

Whether you're looking for more understanding about other people, trying to figure it out yourself or just looking for some beautifully human to read - this is one I will read over and over again.

I have been wanting to read this book ever since I saw that B&N was being unjustly sued for carrying it in stores. Gender Queer is an important, timeless memoir with a heartfelt story and great art. I was extremely moved by eir's open and honest journey regarding eir sexuality and gender identity and I think more people need to read this!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of the deluxe edition!

Gender Queer: A Memoir Deluxe Edition by Maia Kobabe is currently scheduled for release on June 21 2022. This special deluxe hardcover edition of Gender Queer features a brand-new cover, exclusive art and sketches, a foreword from ND Stevenson, Lumberjanes writer and creator of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, and an afterword from Maia Kobabe.

In 2014, Maia Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns, thought that a comic of reading statistics would be the last autobiographical comic e would ever write. At the time, it was the only thing e felt comfortable with strangers knowing about em. Then e created Gender Queer. Maia’s intensely cathartic autobiography charts eir journey of self-identity, which includes the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fan fiction, and facing the trauma and fundamental violation of pap smears. Started as a way to explain to eir family what it means to be nonbinary and asexual, Gender Queer is more than a personal story: It is a useful and touching guide on gender identity—what it means and how to think about it—for advocates, friends, and humans everywhere.

Gender Queer is a great read for everyone. I think that readers questioning where they fall in the gender and sexuality spectrum and trying to find the words for how they feel will find comfort and relatability to the worries and fears that Maia has. I think all readers can relate to at least some of those worries, particularly the balance between fitting in or not being a bother with being comfortable with yourself. I think this an important read, not just to show people they are not alone in their thoughts, feelings, and worries but in helping those that might never have felt or acknowledged them what other people might be feeling. The importance of being yourself, even as you are trying to figure out the shape and terms that might best describe it, is important and something everyone needs to embrace. I think this book is a great read for everyone. I think the art does a great job of capture the struggle, and the successes, along the way while showing that the journey is still underway.

Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the deluxe edition of Gender Queer.

Gender Queer is the graphic novel/memoir of Maia Kobabe. It's about eir gender and identity journey. The illustrations are beautiful. There is a LOT to think about and process with this book. It's so well done and really helped me to understand more about gender and identity. Many are trying to ban this book, but it absolutely belongs in every public library where it is accessible to all.

It is always lovely when an author spends time describing what books/authors (Mercedes Lackey, Tamora Pierce, Harry Potter, etc) transformed eir childhood. Even if the books don’t necessarily hold up today, Kobabe’s depiction of fandom/media consumption deeply resonated with me. Read via KU. (less)

I absolutely loved this memoir. While a part of the community, (but not questioning my gender) I could definitely identify with a lot of the feelings Maia also experiences/ed. It's so helpful when you find things you can feel in tune with and I'm really glad kids now can have these kinds of books to educate themselves, friends, family or whomever. I really think whether you're part of the community or not it is a helpful resource in understanding others.