Sissy

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

National Bestseller THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER "Transformative ... If Tobia aspires to the ranks of comic memoirists like David Sedaris and Mindy Kaling, Sissy succeeds." --The New York Times Book Review (A Paperback Row Pick) A heart-wrenching, eye-opening, and giggle-inducing memoir about what it's like to grow up not sure if you're (a) a boy, (b) a girl, (c) something in between, or (d) all of the above. "A beautiful book . . . honest and funny."--Trevor Noah, The Daily Show "Sensational."--Tyler Oakley "Jacob Tobia is a force." --Good Morning America "A trans Nora Ephron . . . both honest and didactic." --OUT Magazine "A rallying cry for anyone who's ever felt like they don't belong." --Woman's Day As a young child in North Carolina, Jacob Tobia wasn't the wrong gender, they just had too much of the stuff. Barbies Yes. Playing with bugs Absolutely. Getting muddy Please. Princess dresses You betcha. Jacob wanted it all, but because they were "a boy," they were told they could only have the masculine half. Acting feminine labelled them "a sissy" and brought social isolation. It took Jacob years to discover that being "a sissy" isn't something to be ashamed of. It's a source of pride. Following Jacob through bullying and beauty contests, from Duke University to the United Nations to the podiums of the Methodist church--not to mention the parlors of the White House--this unforgettable memoir contains multitudes. A deeply personal story of trauma and healing, a powerful reflection on gender and self-acceptance, and a hilarious guidebook for wearing tacky clip-on earrings in today's world, Sissy guarantees you'll never think about gender--both other people's and your own--the same way again.

Reviews

[Tobia] combines incisive wit and undeniable intelligence to invite readers into their personal journey as a gender-nonconforming young person in North Carolina. . . It is in Tobias often self-deprecating humor that Sissy is most transformative, and where it most departs from other trans memoirs. The seriousness of the topic never feels glossed over, which allows for an organic and seamless journey from tears on one page to laughing aloud on the next. If Tobia aspires to the ranks of comic memoirists like David Sedaris and Mindy Kaling, Sissy succeeds. New York Times Book Review

With bare honesty, irreverent humor, and refreshing vulnerability, this memoir is a rallying cry for anyone who's ever felt like they don't belong. Womans Day

"When the political reality facing this country seems dark, we need shinier, sparklier thinkers in the public eye. With a signature style matched only by their wit, Jacob fits that bill perfectly." --Alan Cumming

Sissy bravely moves the needle forward, boldly advocating for a world where people of all genders are treated equally and with dignity. A story of audacity and courage, Sissy is not to be missed.Billie Jean King

Tobia is bit of a transfeminine Nora Ephron, detailing the story of their coming-of-gender in a way that is both honest and didactic.OUT Magazine

[Sissy] sends a powerful messageabout coming-of-age, trauma, healing, and self-acceptance.Cosmopolitan

"Across this country young boys are shamed and humiliated for expressing femininity, as well as young girls for expressing masculinity. Jacob bravely seeks to end this culture of shame.Monica Lewinsky

A candid, unapologetic look at Tobias journey . . . Sissy is a valuable dispatch from a new generation of queer activists and artists the first generation with the power to connect to themselves en masse without apology and it would be a blessing if all such voices were as articulate and charismatic as this one. Washington Post

Jacob Tobia is a force. . . . Their voice is unique and inspirational.Good Morning America

Tobia sashays away from all the expectations and trappings of what it means to be a man or woman, and calls for us to embrace the fluidity of identity.O, The Oprah Magazine

You can judge Sissy by its cover, in that it evokes glamour, solitude, humor, and resilience, which are all key components to Tobia's vulnerable, moving story of what it means to grow up gender nonconforming in a gender-policed world. Salon

Sensational.Gut-punchingly hilarious and full of heart, this is a book thats sure to change your outlook and how you relate to others.Sissyis guaranteed to make your mascara run from happy and sad tears alike.Tyler Oakley

A necessary read about gender, society, and the very real costs of prejudice and ignorant. . . . An honest, funny, and poignant memoir that will completely make you rethink the construct of gender. Bustle

Sissy is filled with moments that will both break your heart and make you howl with laughter. . . Sissy will challenge the way you think about gender and inspire you to consider your own struggles with gender identity. Hello Giggles

Genderqueer and nonbinary voices are too often silenced in mainstream conversations about gender. It's why we need writers like Jacob Tobia, who offer us more inclusive visions and provide readers living beyond the binary reflections of themselves.Janet Mock

Refreshing, courageous, and important [with a] feisty candor and wit...A funny, sharply observed, and intelligent journey into self-identity.Kirkus Reviews

"Timely and necessary."PopSugar

In Sissy, Tobia adds a necessary voice to our national conversation about gender and acceptance. TIME

Jacob Tobia isnt here for your gender binary, and Sissy isnt like any trans coming-out story youve heard before. . . The book is seriously funnybecause Tobia is funnyin addition to being poignant. [Tobia] chronicles their meandering journey to genderqueer self-ove with joy and deeply irreverent humor. Its an inspiring and satisfying must-read. Apple Books, A Best of March Pick

[A] hilarious and candid memoir. Tobia thoughtfully and accessibly captures the anguish of being placed inside boxes that dont fithow gender hurts us all. . . Tobias outspoken refusal to be bound by social constrictions is admirable, and their funny, sometimes raunchy voice is a charming bonus.Publishers Weekly

In their fabulous, fierce voice, Tobia tells their story of coming out as genderqueer.BookPage

Sissy functions as both a celebration and rejection of popular trans narratives gender is mutable, it's something to have fun with. But it's not a simple journey from A to B. It's a neverending puzzle, a Rubik's Cube of many colors that twists and turns to reveal different parts of yourself. The Advocate

[Tobia] is a gifted storyteller...Tobia writes extremely well, with insight, lucidity, occasional anger, and, when things get too serious, wit. The result is, hands down, one of the best trans narratives available; it deserves a place in every library.Booklist (starred review)

Jacob Tobias story is one sent from the Goddess Herself. Truly inspiring, hilarious, heartbreaking & honest Jacobs thrilling truth will have an overwhelming impact on the LGBTQ community and beyond; giving insight to what it means to be trans and genderqueer. I am honored and grateful to be part of any community that Jacob is in.Jesse Tyler Ferguson

As someone who has served as an icon and role model for gender-fabulous people for decades, its been wonderful to watch Jacob blossom. Their energy, verve, and luminosity of self bring joy to so many, and Im confident that Sissy will do the same.Miss J Alexander

Compelling . . . Tobias life story is exhibit number one. By the end, your life story will be exhibit number two.Tobia is a wonderfully droll, often self-deprecating tour guide. New York Observer

"Dear men, please read this book. Whether youre sensitive, bold, gay, straight, pan, bi, creative, analytical, or dont even know who the hell you are, this book is a blueprint for healing our gender-based trauma from the inside out. Its brilliant and important and I couldnt put it down.Jay Duplass

Youll love getting inside Tobias head as they navigate the ins and outs of identity. For readers interested in gender, there is no better book to pick up this spring. Bookish

Jacob is a unique and inspirational voice for living your own truth. I love their personality and message, and I can't help but creep on their Instagram ;)Gigi Gorgeous

Sissy aims its glitter cannon at all binaries, delivering, even in its final pages, a surprising amount of empathy to those who have not always been Jacobs allies. This is required reading for every human being on the planet who wants to do better and be better. Buy the book and learn something about yourself, then send it to your problematic relatives.Garrard Conley

A funny, heartbreaking and earnest account of Tobia's early and young adult life. . . Readers new to stories and identities like Tobias will find this memoir an especially welcomingintroduction to the quite simple but still revolutionary notion that there are more than two genders. Shelf Awareness

Tobia shares their story inSissywith candor, wit and sensitivity. LikeVivek ShrayasIm Afraid of Men, this is a book we really need. Ms. Magazine

In a world full of digital noise, Jacob's words cut right to the heart. A Mindy Kaling meets Roxane Gay treasure,Sissyproclaims what we all know to be true: gender nonconforming people are a powerful part of the past, present, and future.Tommy Dorfman

"Gender nonconforming people like Jacob arent just a passing phase or a cool fad, theyre a fundamental part of our human family. Through embracing and empowering nonbinary people, we empower everyone to live a more authentic, glittering life. As a writer and an artist, I'm thrilled about what Jacob has to say.Dustin Lance Black

Sissy explores the power of determination, identity, and acceptance of self and others. I recommend the read.Cooper Hefner

"Most of the time in this world it feels like Im drowningwe all walk around playing pretend, telling ourselves stories so that we dont have to confront the things that lurk beneath the surface. And its not so much that Jacobs work has rescued me from drowningrather its taught me that maybe there is something generative about remaining hereunderneathin the places and spaces and conversations that people avoid. Its this commitment to honestyin its most visceral sensethat makes Jacob so exceptional and precious."Alok Vaid-Menon

In a culmination of vulnerability, honesty, and heart, Tobia highlights the connective tissue that exists beyond gender and encourages their read

Author Bio

Jacob Tobia (pronouns- they/them) is a gender nonconforming writer, producer, and performer based in Los Angeles. A member of the Forbes 30 Under 30 and the OUT 100, Jacob's writing and advocacy have been featured by The New York Times, Time, The Guardian, Good Morning America, and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, among others. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Jacob has worn high heels in the White House twice. Sissy is their debut memoir.