This was a quick, beautiful read. I love the way that Theo describes how they came to terms with their gender and sexuality. Neither one is something that can be figured out simply, and they can change throughout life. Theo took such a beautiful approach that is appropriate for any reader! What a stunning book.

Where to even begin with the most beautiful book I've read this year, and it was the 50th book I read.
Homebody is most definitely essential reading for everyone, it so graciously explains what it means to be non-binary, while always leaving room for fluidity and change.
Homebody is a graphic memoir and follows Theo's journey as they learn what it means to be themselves. The book explores conforming to the rules of society and the dysphoria this causes, questioning and the comfort in trying new ways of expressing your identity, to finding your people and understanding that being non-binary is a journey rather than a destination.
Homebody will forever have a cherished space on my shelf, I truly believe everyone should read this incredible book. And I applaud Theo for writing such a candid and emotional story about their own life, these stories that prove a happy and positive future is possible for trans youth is needed so desperately.

This book is the kind of book that I wish I’d had to read when I was younger because oh my god it’s me to a complete T, but I’m so glad that this book exists now for anyone who’s questioning stuff now or in the future!

I arc read it through Netgalley and I thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed it! The allegory that transitioning in whatever way trans people may want is akin to coming home? PERFECT!

I cried several times whilst reading and the art is incredible too!

Homebody is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel about the journey to becoming one's authentic self.
I loved Theo's honest but gentle way of telling their story about becoming (apologies if that word sounds wrong in any way) a non-binary transgender person. The illustrations are glorious and the book was a true delight to read. While the audiobook lacks the illustrations, the narrator and accompanying voices and sounds make it a different but equally enjoyable book.

To me, this book was an insight into the mind and experiences of someone discovering who they truly are and I enjoyed it. I know, though, that to many others, it will make them feel seen and understood and potentially change their lives. Thank you, Theo, on their behalf.

Ahhh I loved this book so much!!
I loved the imagery of our body being a home. The way Parish describes their experience and how it makes them feel resonated deeply. I really enjoyed the metaphor of the journey, especially emphasising that it doesn’t have to have a fixed destination.
The art was so beautiful. Honestly, I wish I could stick those pages to my wall. The soft colour palette was really pleasing to me. Parish has a very clear art style which was fluent throughout the book.
Mostly, this book made me feel seen. It felt like the warmest of hugs at the time I needed one. I hope other people can find this book as a comfort or something to learn from.
The one tiny criticism I have is that the timeline was very unclear and skipped about. But I also think the way Parish chose the chapters and events was very deliberate so I appreciate that.
I 100% recommend this book for a bit of softness, trans joy and beautiful art!

This is my first graphic novel and it was delightful to read. It felt like I was reading their journal about their self discovery. Even though I'm not trans myself I found their story very relatable, I hope they continue on with this style, the art and execution of content is perfect for their story. Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC.

Home Body by Theo Parish

Home Body is a wonderful graphic novel about learning to live in your body. The journey with Theo through childhood, adolescence and into adult hood was at times difficult as Theo tacked learning to understand his gender.

Overall the story is uplifting and made me, a cis-gendered female think about how I interact with people around me and the boxes I and other female presenting people are put into daily. This must be so difficult and triggering for people who do not identify as female or who may not even understand their gender yet when they are constantly told how to fit into society. “Girls do this, boys do that. Girls wear this, boys wear that!” What utter rubbish!!

The illustrations are beautiful and I love the two tones of pink and blue the novel is perfect.

This is a must read if you want to understand the transgender experience either as an ally or if you yourself are trying to u destined your gender!

A truly beautiful story of self-acceptance and learning how to be true to yourself. Brought tears to my eyes and I loved the graphic novel format (the illustrations were beautiful!) and the way it was written to be accessible to a younger audience.

I am not normally a fan of graphic novels but this one really appealed to me. I found the illustrations perfect to guide us along Theos journey of self discovery and acceptance.

This book was really personal, heart felt and beautifully written. It details the journey Theo makes as they discover who they are in life and shows that it is OK not to know who you are straight away. I thought it was brave and insightful, it gave me a really in depth vision into the thoughts and emotions that a trans non binary person may feel and how to support them. It also showed the importance of having a strong network of friends and family around you, that makes such a difference.

I think this would be a great book to have in school libraries, it opens a lot of discussions and would help all teens begin to understand how to cope if they feel they don't fit in or how to present themselves. It is a book about gender identity but I don't think it is limited to that for readers. It would be helpful to anyone who feels uncomfortable in their own skin and still trying to figure our who they are in this world.

I recommend this novel to everyone it is refreshing, warm, honest, raw and emotional. Our body is our home so we have to find a way to accept and love it.

Home Body by Theo Parish (#gifted e-arc)
Hello! I'm Theo. Hike cats, Dungeons & Dragons... and I'm trans and non-binary.
Ever since I was young, l've been on a journey to explore who I am. To discover the things that make me ... me.
Sometimes it can feel like the world is trying to fit you into a box, to label you one way or another, but there is nothing more wonderful than finding your true authentic self, whoever you are. Whether you are transgender or cisgender, we are all searching for ways to make our houses feel like homes..
My thoughts
I really enjoyed this honest, raw memoir, told in the style of a graphic novel.
We follow younger Theo as they grow up and the story of their self-love and acceptance and also their transitioning.
They discover the real 'them' and how they go on to choose their name and pro-nouns.
The book features stunning artwork and shows us how to feel 'at home' in our own bodies.
I think this book is perfect for young adults who may be feeling overwhelmed by the world of today and also the family and friends around them. I think fans of Heartstopper will love it and it is perfect book for school libraries.
Thank you to @panmacmillan for access to the e-arc on @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Home Body is out tomorrow and I highly recommend it!

I loved this. I loved the illustrations and following Theo Parish though everything. It made me feel so much and I just had a great time with it. That's definitely a book I want to own and read again and again. I loved how the concept of home and one's own body was shown and it was just so good. I related in many ways. I could not recommend this more.

This is a wonderful graphic novel, walking the reader through a journey of self-exploration, self-discovery, self-acceptance and finally self-love. It's gentle, respectful and feels like a warm hug from a trusted friend. And it may focus a bit more on gender identity but I think it would speak to any young person trying to figure out who they are and accept and love themselves for who they are.

The path to loving ones self is not linear for most of us and I think many young readers will find great comfort as the very relatable main character unfolds their personal experience of growing up, trying to find where they fit and belong and finally discovering who they are and what makes them happy.

The illustrations are truly beautiful and Theo Parish also does a great job at de mystifying some of the definitions and understanding of concepts that we all use daily but I'm not sure everyone actually fully understands.

thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my review copy, all opinions are my own.

A good graphic memoir just hits different, and Homebody is no exception. Even just the introduction had drawn me in by the heartstrings and wouldn’t let me go.

We’re taken on a journey through Theo’s relationship with their gender, starting in childhood through to the present. While it’s told in mostly chronological order, there are also particular subjects and topics that take us on a reflection of their life so far, such as looking back at hairstyles or nicknames. It’s a deeply personal story, but Parish does an excellent job of warmly inviting us in to share in it.

The text is beautiful and very lyrical, to the point that out of its visual context there would be some incredibly poetry in there. That would deprive us, though, of the illustrations, which not only support but also enhance the text. The artwork has a cinematic quality, and from the very start I felt transported into Theo’s world.

This is an excellently crafted, moving but uplifting reflection on gender, growing up, and the joy of living as your authentic self. It could not have come at a better moment, given all that is happening to trans rights in the UK at the moment, but this book is a reminder not only that trans people exist (and always have done), but that the most powerful thing we can do as a society is give people the space to be their true selves.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

An absolutely stunning graphic memoir of Theo Parish’s coming out journey. I truly loved this SO MUCH. Everything about this was beautiful - from the story to the panels to the lessons woven in throughout the narrative. It’s a wonderful journey of self love and making a home out of the shell of a house - about searching for sanctuary and creating a haven and being proud of the body you have.Almost every page I was gushing to my queer friends about how they Really Needed To Read It ASAP. Highly recommend.

I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to read an ARC of this through NetGalley. Homebody is the story of Theo Parish and their gender identity journey. It is beautifully written and illustrated. I loved how Theo's experiences were shown and how everything was explained without feeling like they were trying to preach at the reader.. I already have a few people in mind that I am going to recommend Homebody to because of this.
I really liked how the emotional side of gender identity was shown.

This is a vibrant, accepting and reassuring graphic memoir about Theo's journey into accepting themselves and their non-binary identity and the journey they took to get there and feel at home within their body.

The illustrations in this GN are some of the most beautiful and engaging pieces of artwork I have seen in a graphic novel. Not only was I engaged in the story but the imagination that went into visualising this story was phenomenal. My favourite has to be the D&D section.

Since this memoir is being published for the younger generation I feel that this book documents the journey so beautifully and clearly for young people who may be navigating a similar path. Even myself ,who thought I knew quite bit about what it's like being trans and non-binary, due my friends, learnt a lot! A book I would highly recommend!

I saw this on the MacMillan email and was intrigued - just devoured my copy on NetGalley on my break. Very much for fans of Heartstopper in style and story, a moving and beautifully illustrated true story of self acceptance and being loved for who you are, and great trans/NB rep. I hope we can stock this!

A stunning graphic novel memoir that is so so important. Showing the struggles of growing out of your own skin and coming into yourself. I love this. A truly important read.

This was an incredible book! As a cisgender person, my understanding of the experience of being non-binary is limited, and Theo's memoir absolutely helped me understand more. The illustration is beautiful and the message is clear, accessible and profound. I hope this finds its place in so many schools and libraries across the UK, and into the personal libraries of many. I have no doubt it will shape the knowledge of anyone who reads it, and warms their hearts too.

this was an amazing memoir from theo parish. this is a story i really needed when i was younger, i related on so many levels. im so happy we've got to a point where these type of books are being published, trans and non-binary stories are so necessary.
"there is nothing wrong with my body... and i am grateful to have it" - this is the point i am at.