Squishy Minnie Bookstore Squishy Minnie Bookstore
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Book Clubs
  • Events
  • Storytime
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • Shop

Book Review – Finding Nevo by Nevo Zisin

By Tahlia on 26/04/2017

A heartwarming and honest read, Finding Nevo is a charming story of self-discovery and love.

The memoir deals with some complex and relevant issues such as sexuality and gender identity, and while these kinds of stories tend to take on a tragic or depressing tone, Nevo keeps it light and relatable, making it an enjoyable read that leaves you feeling satisfied at the end.

It’s a deeply personal book and Nevo Zisin lays everything on the table, welcoming us into their life and inviting us to just listen, without judgement. Their story is written in a way that can be understood whether you’re well-versed in gender and sexuality, or you’re still learning. Nevo treats the readers with patience but never condescension, explaining terms a cis-gendered reader might not understand but doing it so that it never feels like they’re trying to lecture us. Rather than reading like a textbook on gender theory, Finding Nevo feels like an experience that’s being shared with us, and that’s exactly what it is.

For a cis-gendered reader, it’s a comprehensive entry into the lives of queer youth, with the honest first-person perspective making the readers view Nevo as a person rather than a victim or an example. Many of Nevo’s experiences are relatable to anyone, which makes it easy to break down the idea of “us vs them” that’s too often pushed by mainstream media.

For trans readers, or anyone exploring their gender or sexuality, this book feels like a bit of relief. It’s a relief to read that someone has had similar experiences to you, or just to know that you’re not alone in the way you live your life. There’s also relief in knowing there is no universal experience and there are many paths that lead to self-discovery. Finding Nevo is hope, too; it’s proof that finding yourself doesn’t have to end in heartbreak and that you can find a community.

I feel grateful that Finding Nevo exists. It’s refreshing to see a book filled with so many positive things, a book that’s written by a queer person rather than about them. I hope there are more books like this in the future.

Finding Nevo by Nevo Zisin is available for sale here!

bbok reviewgendermemoirtransyoung adult
Posted in Book Review.
Share

Categories

  • Book Review (54)
  • Books (5)
  • Culture (1)
  • In Store Events (12)
  • Instagram (13)

Archives

  • October 2020 (1)
  • September 2020 (2)
  • July 2020 (10)
  • June 2020 (1)
  • May 2020 (1)
  • March 2020 (1)
  • February 2020 (6)
  • August 2019 (8)
  • July 2019 (1)
  • March 2019 (6)
  • January 2019 (2)
  • November 2018 (5)
  • August 2018 (2)
  • July 2018 (1)
  • June 2018 (1)
  • May 2018 (1)
  • April 2018 (2)
  • February 2018 (4)
  • November 2017 (15)
  • October 2017 (1)
  • September 2017 (1)
  • August 2017 (2)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (1)
  • May 2017 (1)
  • April 2017 (4)
  • February 2017 (4)
PreviousBook Review – Contagion by Teri Terry
NextBook Review – Yvain, The Knight of the Lion

Related Posts

  • 14/11/2017

    Book Review – The Secret Science of Magic by Melissa Keil

    Melissa Keil’s The Secret Science of Magic is a unique and compelling twist on the typical romance novel. Shift away from the typical “quirky” star-crossed lover archetypes, Keil has created the kind of relatable and complex character that exist in real life, but rarely ever play a starring role in the media. Sophia is so …

  • 15/02/2017

    Book Review – A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

    With the arrival of the new Netflix series, now is a perfect time to sink your teeth into Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. This series is unique and one of my favourites; Snicket’s narration is satirical, morbid and hilarious all at once, and although he will warn you many times that the books …

  • 15/02/2017

    Book Review – Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

    If you’re a fan of the recent film version, Riggs’ debut novel is a must-read. His engaging writing transports you into his gothic and fantastical world, combining imagery and expression to make it difficult to put down. The voice of the protagonist, 16-year-old Jacob Portman, is full of personality and is relatable to anyone who …

  • 29/07/2020

    Book Review – Escaping Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

    ‘Escaping From Houdini’ once again chronicles the trials and tribulations of Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Creswell, who, after the events of ‘Hunting Prince Dracula’ arrive on board the RMS Etruria to make their journey to America. However, what initially begins as an opportunity to relax and unwind from the dreadful events at their castle …

  • 14/03/2019

    Book Review – The Girl Who Fell by Violet Grace

    Released to the public on September 3rd of 2018, Violet Grace’s novel The Girl Who Fell tells the tale of Francesca ‘Chess’ Raven, an adolescent girl living with a woman named Gladys after the death of her parents. Chess Raven is a hacker, and becomes swept away in a grand and interesting adventure after the …

  • 24/07/2020

    Book Review – Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

    Hunting Prince Dracula is a wonderfully haunting and cleverly crafted mystery novel from Kerri Maniscalco, author of Stalking Jack the Ripper. The novel, which involves the same characters from the aforementioned story, instead follows Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her close companion Thomas Creswell as they travel to Romania to enrol in a forensics course held …

  • Terms & Conditions
  • © 2021 All content copyright Booruwa Creative Industries, ABN 44616524120
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Book Clubs
  • Events
  • Storytime
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • Shop