Woodworking

By: Emily St. James

Narrated by: L Morgan Lee, Saoirse Ní Shúilleabháin, Emily St. James

One of Them’s 10 Most Anticipated Books of 2025 • One of Book Riot’s and The Mary Sue’s 15 Most Anticipated Queer Books of 2025 • One of The Millions’, Kirkus’s, and The AV Club's Most Anticipated Books of 2025

An unforgettable and heartwarming book-club debut following a trans high school teacher from a small town in South Dakota who befriends the only other trans woman she knows: one of her students.

Erica Skyberg is thirty-five years old, recently divorced―and trans. Not that she's told anyone yet. Mitchell, South Dakota, isn't exactly bursting with other trans women. Instead, she keeps to herself, teaching by day and directing community theater by night. That is, until Abigail Hawkes enters her orbit.

Abigail is seventeen, Mitchell High’s resident political dissident and Only Trans Girl. It’s a role she plays faultlessly, albeit a little reluctantly. She's also annoyed by the idea of spending her senior year secretly guiding her English teacher through her transition. But Abigail remembers the uncertainty―and loneliness―that comes with it. Besides, Erica isn’t the only one struggling to shed the weight of others’ expectations.

As their unlikely friendship evolves, it comes under the scrutiny of their community. And soon, both women―and those closest to them―are forced to ask: Who are we if we choose to hide ourselves? What happens once we disappear into the woodwork?

Detransition Baby meets Fleishman is in Trouble in this remarkable debut novel from an incisive contemporary voice. A story about the awkwardness of growing up and the greatest love story of all, that between us and our friends, Woodworking is a tonic for the moment and a celebration of womanhood in all its multifaceted joy.

Love love love the JOY in this complicated novel

This is a book that will stick with me for a very long time. Emily, thank you so much for this novel and these characters! I loved all the little complicated human stories that slowly unfolded and I loved the overall JOY of these characters. I’ll be recommending this novel to anyone and everyone this year.

Thank You!

I am a Clinical Social Worker with many clients in the
LGBTQIA+ community. I loved the story covering trans women in rural communities and I have recommended this book to many of my clients in these exact situations! It is simply beautiful! Thank you!

Heartfelt, funny and just down right wonderful

This book was so enlightening. It took my hand and walked me through several ways that it could feel to navigate the world as a trans woman. A heart felt and entertaining story that will stay with me. It also armed me with language that I can call on in conversations surrounding trans rights. I’m passing this book on to my friends and family.

A must read

Beautifully written and performed. Messy and big hearted and to the point when all is said and done. Everyone should read this.

Love the story/ buy the physical book if you hate grating noises!

This book has wonderful characters and I enjoyed the story. But the noise they use to bleep the main character’s dead name is so loud and fingernails-on-chalkboard that I strongly considered getting a physical copy to finish the book.

engaging novel

This book is about Erica, aka Mr. Skyberg, a trans high school teacher who is in the closet. She approaches her one trans student, Abigail, to talk. Their complicated relationship is at the center of this novel. These characters are interesting and very believable, and is the strength of this novel. This story is always engaging and powerful at times. The other characters are not as well defined or believable, but are important pieces to the plot. I am a straight male, and read this because I like school stories and coming-of-age stories. This was both, and I am glad I read it. And as a teacher of some trans students, I was glad to see the world through the eyes of these characters.

Wood working

Wood working, not what I thought it was about. So much better than I could have imagined. This book did not disappoint. Loved reading about the journey each character traveled to get to who they are.

original voice that needs to be heard

I appreciate how much I was drawn into the story. I loved the many surprises.

Excellent

I hope we get to hear more from these interesting characters. This read taught me a lot.

Great narrators and great writing

Compelling narrative well performed. So many great set ups and payoffs. Would recommend to anyone.