Brookins, KB. Pretty. 2024. 240p. $28.00 (9780593537145) Recommended for adult readers.
Rating: 5 stars! Buy it!
Identities: Black, queer, transmasculine, adoptee
For those who like books that innovate structures for storytelling, this is a memoir told in a mix of poetry, essays, and reflections and has been described as a manifesto. Both the audiobook and the physical copy are well worth investing in. KB weaves together a story of their life thus far as it relates to constructing and deconstructing gender, masculinity, sexuality, transitioning, and all of the invisible structures in between that dare to tell us who we can and can’t be. The focus of the book centers on their identities as Black and trans, but early on, the reader is made aware that KB was adopted.
This is an essential nonfiction read for all readers, especially cishet and/or white privileged.
Perspectives: A stunning and unexpected read. I picked this book up without knowing the adoption themes that arise for KB. KB is a Black, queer adoptee. Representation matters, and each of KB’s identities are important mirrors, but especially for adoptees who may feel further marginalized and racially isolated in their communities to know they are not alone.
Practice: There is much to reflect on and learn from in KB’s story. What challenged your thinking? What shifted? As a reader, KB widened the aperture of understanding the barriers to access to medical care and the prejudice they experience at organizations advertising as inclusive for LGBTQ+ people.
The Adoptee Bookshelf 