#TransRightsReadathon 2026

Hi, I am Beck (she/they} and I am on the team hosting this year’s #TransRightsReadathon. You can find me as @bookasaurusbex on Instagram or @becklovesbooks on bluesky.

This year’s event is March 17-31. The aim is to read and uplift books written by and/or featuring trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit and gender-nonconforming authors and characters. Here are a few of my absolute favourite books written by trans+ writers.

They Bloom At Night – YA horror - Trang Thanh Tran

Summary

An algae bloom has taken over a small town in Louisiana and mutated wildlife reflect the sinister real life of the community. A book that deals with self-actualisation, loss, healing from trauma and community secrets.

Reason I love this

I didn’t realise I liked horror until I read this book – I was compelled from start to finish. The damage that has been done to Noon, the main character and the way they have to navigate a tense and worsening situation kept me on the edge of my seat.

I’m A Fool To Want You – Literary Fiction - Camila Sosa Villada, translation by Kit Maude

Summary

Nine stories that blend the strangeness of the everyday with the uncanny nature of things never being quite as they seem. Key stories include themes of sex work, societal homophobia and revenge.

Reason I love this

I love both short stories and translated fiction, so I had high hopes for this one and every story impressed. The characters are all flawed, many of them taking power from their trauma and the way society sees them. Very powerful social commentary within compelling stories

I Shall Never Fall In Love – YA graphic novel – Hari Conner

Summary

A Regency era romantic graphic novel with beautiful artwork that is inspired by the work of Jane Austen. You meet George who is in love with their best friend Eleanor. Eleanor is disinterested in her marriage expectations, George in their gender conformations. Sweet and uplifting.

Reason I love this

I loved how vibrant and realistic these characters were and how much the book made me root for them. The more complex political commentary the novel manages while keeping things romantic and suspenseful is truly masterful.

The Sunbearer Trials – YA fantasy – Aiden Thomas

Summary

Ten semidioses compete in a series of trials to see who will become sunbearer. Only the most powerful with the most noble of bloodlines will be chosen. Except…

Our main character, Teo, finds himself embroiled in the trials. All he wants to do is save his friends. He ends up involved in more than he bargained for.

Why I love this

Truly one of the most creative and vibrant fantasy novel settings and concepts I have ever fallen in to. I loved every moment of Teo’s self-acceptance journey, the trials and even his wider friend group.

The Death of Vivek Oji – literary fiction – Akwaeke Emezi

Summary

One afternoon in a Nigerian town, a mother opens her door to find her son Vivek’s body. The novel is both a reflection on and a journey through the mother’s attempts to understand her child and really get to grips with the spirit of Vivek was and how this has come about.

Why I love this

Although this book was highly acclaimed the year it was released, I am finding many younger readers or readers who were not reading literary fiction at the time did not get to this one – it is an absolute must read in my opinion.

It is highly emotional and completely unforgettable, the characters are shown to be both corrupt but viscerally human in Emezi’s signature style and it will absolutely leave you reeling, considering your own identity and those around you who uplift and sadly, do not.