I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it has since come out. I always end up loving Riki Wilchin's work and this is no exception. It's honest, has humour and leaves room for the author and reader to grow. Never perfect, but imperfectly just what the world needs.

This is a collection of articles and essays that the author, Riki Wilchins, has written over the past few years covering trans issues and current events. I appreciated how this collection of writings felt like a primer on important current issues. As someone who follows these issues closely, I now feel like I have better language and a more comprehensive understanding of the wider political landscape to explain them to others.

I also did not expect to laugh out loud so many times! Interspersed among more serious discussions of anti trans policies and personal essays about the author’s own gender affirming care are satirical articles that highlight just how ridiculous anti trans arguments are. The first piece, for example, Jk Rowling and Voldemort walk into a bar, was hilarious. I keep re-reading it. It was exactly what I needed when usually I just want to cry thinking about what the legacy of HP has become.

The structure of the collection reminded me a bit of Nick Walker’s Neuroqueer Heresies in that it’s a collection of online essays originally written elsewhere. There is some repetition of information, themes, and topics, which makes sense given that these were originally essays written across several years. I read it from beginning to end, but I’d suggest treating it like a reader or reference on trans issues and current events.

I look forward to reading more from Wilchins!

My review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237679441-burn-the-binary-vol-2