I'm currently clearing out all of the books that were published in 2019-20 from my title feedback view!

There are some books that are written in a way that really allows a reader to understand a controversial topic by making it extremely raw and personal. This book is that. I admire the bravery that this author has, as you can tell while reading this how much they struggled with sharing their feelings of uncertainty with their gender before ultimately transitioning. I have transgender friends and this author's memoir really brought to light the struggles my friends went through before and after transitioning. I recommend this book to everyone, as this is an important issue and we need more support for the people struggling and for the mental health issues that are brought about by the constant feeling of being in the wrong body.

A book I consumed via audiobook and almost wish I hadn't. I will first describe my feelings about the audio experience and then as whole about the book.

The narration was in the most monotone voice with no voice inflections and the author was reading their own story. I wanted Cyrus Grace to add some emotion to the reading so I could really feel their feelings throughout the book, instead it felt bland and as if they didn't care about providing the reader with the true heart of the story. The lack of voice inflection made the book difficult to continue to listen and took away from the real depth that the book could have had.

The minute I realized who Cyrus Grace was related to and put their story next to Lena's, It was hard to separate the author from their relation to their sibling and in that case I had a hard time not giving empathy or sympathy. Sometimes it is hard to give empathy to a person who is going through something while you know that they have privilege. Knowing that they have the ability to not stress about money or the need for stability to obtain their basic needs, it is hard to not hear them in a whining complaining voice about the "struggles" they are dealing with.

This book wasn't for me. I struggle with the use of they/their pronouns as a way to describe one person, so in all this book just wasn't my cup of tea.

At the crossroads of faith and identity, Cyrus’ memoir dives deep into such familiar alienation that makes us new, less-lonely people having emerged from the throes of self-discovery.

Thoughtful and heartrending debut from Dunham, a transperson who has grappled with sexuality and gender identity for their whole life. Much of the book is written in retrospect and details early sexuality and fantasy, along with family struggles. I was halfway through the book before I realized this person was Lena Dunham's sister and much of their identity as an adolescent was a result of the shadow of the sister's fame. Engaging writing and struggles very sadly detailed. Dunham concludes the book on a somber note. I look forward to more from this author.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy of A Year Without a Name in exchange for an honest opinion.