We have several new books added to the Library since the last "Bookworm" article and I'd like to sort of run through them so if you find you might like to read them, you can drop me a line at beckyxd@hotmail.com and we can set up arrangements for getting one or more to you.
Be advised, though, some of the following may appeal to all and some may appeal only to a smaller group…what I try to do is operate within a range of material that does not include pornographic material.
There are a number of outlets out there that carry such material and these outlets can be found on the Web.
What we try to do is have a little something in good taste for everyone's taste…and that's a wide range!
Bailey, J. Michael, The Man Who Would Be Queen (2003)
This is the book that has many a chat room of CD/TS/TS/TG participants ranting and raving.
Bailey's thesis is not too easily apparent but he attempts to explore the psychology of gays and transgendered individuals.
The two chapters out of the eleven that are of definite interest to members of CES would be Chapters 8 and 9 in Part III—Women Who Once Were Boys.
A word of caution here, though.
Ibsen's "The Wild Duck" is a drama about the destruction of a person's dream or fantasy…these two chapters, in my opinion, run a strong second to Ibsen's drama.
Based on Bailey's thesis and research and presentation I had confirmed what I long suspected — basically (according to Bailey's standards) I am definitely autogynephilic but not to the extent he describes as most autogynephilics—as "men who desperately want to become women."
There's a good number of unanswered questions in Bailey's works — for example, his first seven chapters deal with gays and their development.
As a father of two gay sons I can honestly say that I saw none of the tendencies, behavior, actions, etc. that Bailey insists are there from the get-go.
When he talks about crossdressers he mentions nothing of the tactile sensitivity (other than to say we get aroused when being touched by silk or satin…), the gender enhancements that many of us have noticed (and many wives appreciate…), or other examples we are all familiar with.
The book makes for interesting reading and can be an eye-opener ... and possibly a wild duck.
Bloom, Amy, Normal: Transsexual CEO's, Crossdressing Cops, and Hermaphrodites with Attitude (2002)
This is the same person who wrote a hatchet job on Tri-Ess, its members, and spouses in Atlantic Monthly a year or more ago.
Should have looked more closely at the length of the book (135 pages) because 50 pages are a reprint of said article.
The first chapter deals with FTM transsexuals, then the article is repeated, and the last chapter deals with hermaphrodites.
We've got it in the library but I would not recommend it for reading — unless you want something to get the inner fires of justified outrage burning.
Howey, Noelle, Dress Codes of Three Childhoods: My Mother's, My Father's, and Mine (2002)
Your eyesight is correct. That's what the title says and that's what the book is about. Noelle's father determines late in Noelle's adolescence that he is really a woman trapped in a man's body and proceeds with the sex change. This is a well written and humorous book, especially considering the turmoil that all parties — Noelle, her mother, her father, and grandmothers — go through. All's well that ends well, so that sort of gives the plot away.
Mistress Lorelei, Charm School for Sissy Maids (2002)
This one is a primer on essentially non-sexual submission—but with sexual overtones and inferences—and encompasses a four week journey towards that end, that of being a well-trained and submissive maid, responsive to a dominant female. Not for the faint of heart.
This newsletter is a labor of love for of our contributing editrixes.
Please join the staff by submitting your own insights into the world of cross-dressing.
Send your input to:
Rachel Boyd, or R.R. Boyd, P.O. Box 2252, Ashburn, VA 20146-9152.
Website problems, comments or suggestions? Let geekgrrl know about 'em!
Updated: 05/08/04
