My Sister

How One Sibling's Transition Changed Us Both

De: Selenis Leyva, Marizol Leyva

Narrado por: Selenis Leyva, Marizol Leyva

A powerful memoir by two sisters about transitioning, family, and the path to self-realization.

When Orange Is the New Black and Diary of a Future President star Selenis Leyva was young, her hardworking parents brought a new foster child into their warm, loving family in the Bronx. Selenis was immediately smitten; she doted on the baby, who in turn looked up to Selenis and followed her everywhere. The little boy became part of the family. But later, the siblings realized that the child was struggling with their identity. As Marizol transitioned and fought to define herself, Selenis and the family wanted to help, but didn't always have the language to describe what Marizol was going through or the knowledge to help her thrive.
In My Sister, Selenis and Marizol narrate, in alternating chapters, their shared journey, challenges, and triumphs. They write honestly about the issues of violence, abuse, and discrimination that transgender people and women of color--and especially trans women of color--experience daily. And they are open about the messiness and confusion of fully realizing oneself and being properly affirmed by others, even those who love you.
Profoundly moving and instructive, My Sister offers insight into the lives of two siblings learning to be their authentic selves. Ultimately, theirs is a story of hope, one that will resonate with and affirm those in the process of transitioning, watching a loved one transition, and anyone taking control of their gender or sexual identities.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Selenis and Marizol Leyva have crafted a moving and searingly honest portrait of what it means to lead an authentic life. By turns poignant and anguishing, the story of Marizol's journey as she fights to become who she was always meant to be will capture your imagination, but it is the immutable bond between sisters that, in the end, will break your heart."—Kate Mulgrew, author of How to Forget and Born with Teeth

"The spellbinding fusion of two sisters' fierce voices gives us this groundbreaking memoir about the fight to love and be loved as we are. My Sister is a must read for our fractured era, evoking the power of bridges to knock down the barriers that separate us -- from ourselves and one another. It's fast-paced and beautifully real."—Jean Guerrero, Emmy-winning journalist and author of Crux: A Cross-Border Memoir

"Fiercely honest, this book not only chronicles a harrowing journey to self-acceptance; it also celebrates an interpersonal love that transcends the bounds of blood and family. Bold, raw, and courageous."—Kirkus

"[An] unsparingly candid story of one transgender woman's transition."
—Booklist

"Heart-wrenching...What makes My Sister special is not only the way it addresses trans identities with such care -- educating readers in a respectful and non-condescending way -- but also the way it balances a trans person's journey with the corresponding journey that her family must take to embrace her as she is...An important, informative and captivating read that chronicles two strong women learning to love one another."
—Associated Press

A must read!

My Sister is a great listen / read for anyone. I love listening to others stories. This book not only gives you a look into someone else’s life but also offers you advice or tools that many don’t know are out there. It also provides a those who may not be too familiar with the LGBTQ+ community a better sense of knowledge and understanding.
This book had me laughing out loud, crying, and gave me chills. I hope you all enjoy it like I did.

Please read this book.

As I'm listening to the chapters i am imagining as if I was there witnessing everything that has happened. This story will make you cry, smile, laugh, shake your head as you're relating and understanding the experiences.

Amazing story!

Love the story. Takes a lot of courage for a latinx family to share this kind of story! All the best to Marizol and Selinis!

Good

This story goes in-depth look at her transition and struggle. I was emotional the whole way through. My only issue was the occasional no English sentence/phrases that I didn’t understand.

What a Revelation!!!

I didn't know what to expect going in to listening to this book. I must say that this is by far the most educational, heartfelt, open and honest, book I've ever read. The audiobook had so much feeling and was structured perfectly with both sisters talking from each side of their point of view on a specific event that occurred. I'm so proud of Marizol being able to speak her truth and telling non-LGBTQ+ people what it's like to have this mental and physical struggle. My favorite part is the book was the unwavering love that continued even after putting the family through different stressors. Thank you for sharing!