My Sister

How One Sibling's Transition Changed Us Both

By: Selenis Leyva, Marizol Leyva

Narrated by: Selenis Leyva, Marizol Leyva

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

A powerful, honest memoir by two sisters - one a star on Orange Is the New Black, one a trans woman and activist - about transitioning, family, allyship, and the path to self-realization.

When Selenis Leyva's parents adopted a baby into their warm, loving family, Selenis was immediately smitten. The pair were always close; Selenis showered her younger sibling with affection, who in turn looked up to Selenis and followed her everywhere. The siblings realized, almost at the same moment, that the younger of the two was struggling with their identity. As Marizol transitioned and fought to define her identity, Selenis and her family struggled to support her. In My Sister, they narrate their shared journey, challenges, and triumphs.

In alternating chapters, Selenis and Marizol write honestly about the issues of violence, abuse, and discrimination that trans 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.

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.

©2020 Selenis Leyva and Marizol Leyva (P)2020 Bold Type Books

Critic reviews

"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)

"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)

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!

A must read book for all to understand transgender individuals

As I was reading this book, it struck me how similar the Leyva family was to my family. This book has helped me understand the struggle that transgender individuals go through and how families of these individuals must support and encourage them. We must stop judging them and accept them for who they are- Humans. It takes so much courage for them to accept themselves and then tell us who they truly are. Thank you for writing this book. And thank you for also making it in Spanish. This will help families in the Latino community understand a little more of what it’s like to be transgender. This will help my family understand my sister even more ❤️

intimate & open

Pride Month 2020

💜💙💚💛🧡❤️

Selenis and Marizol Leyva have written an emotionally moving and powerfully impactful memoir, told from both perspectives. This is a must read #ownvoices memoir if you want to try to understand the issues that happen when one sibling comes out as transgender. These two sisters are open and raw. They share how each of their perspectives often differ. They are open about how their memories are colored by those perspectives and how that changes the way they remember things. And best of all, they tell the reader how their love for one another was more important than any differences and so they chose to embrace it. One of my children is a transgender man and I recognized myself and him in the journeys these two women have undertaken.

My Sister: How One Sibling's Transition Changed Us Both is divided into three parts: before, during and after transition. And each woman (one trans sister and one cis-gender sister) shares that part of the story. It is well done. Selenis is truthful but respectful. When using her sister's previous named (known as dead name) she does it only with her sister's permission and only for those portions of the story that occur in the section 0f the book that occurs before transition.

The book doesn't shy away from sharing all of the horrible truths about how Marizol felt and was treated. It is a voyeuristic view of the stigma placed upon her, and the pain she felt as a result. Both women share their own grief, pain and experiences, and both share how things have improved as Marizol has been celebrated as her authentic self. The book is intimate and compassionate. I would gift this to anyone who is newly transitioning, or to the families of someone who is doing so.

But I would recommend it to everyone. It is important for people to learn and grow.

Enlightenment

This book let me see the side of trans people I knew but really didn’t. My whole life I thought and felt like I wanted to be a man because I liked that there lives were simpler than women’s. This book opened my eyes to what that would have been for me being Latin. I am a lesbian and in a great relationship thank you Marisol & Selena for your story. This book I hope everyone reads and appreciates Trans people better I know I have always been respect of others and will continue to be. MARISOL CONTINUE TO LIVE YOUR TRUTH GIRL. PROUD OF YOU!

Spectacular

This is one of the most incredible books I have ever listened to. I feel like Marizol and her sister are my family now.. Most of all this booked is packed with helpful information to help all who are transitioning. Lastly, It’s full of hope and love..