Books for “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Fans
Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between… the library is officially open! RuPaul always knows how to serve — The Queen of Drag is officially the most-awarded Black artist in Emmys history! If you’ve been living under a rock, RuPaul’s Drag Race gathers a crop of talented queens from across the country who always bring amazing fashion, out-of-this-world beauty, and wit so sharp we might just cry. Add to that a gaggle of amazing guest judges and it’s easy to see why Drag Race has earned 27 Emmys over its 15 seasons. Our favorite part of the show is getting to know the talented folks under the wigs, seeing their passion for their art, and learning the stories that shaped them into who they are today. The inevitable drama, fierce competition, and lip-syncs don’t make for boring TV, either! If you’re Sorry, Not Sorry that you’re unapologetically a Drag fan, catch up on some reads that affirm our mantra, “We’re all born naked, and the rest is drag!”
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Add to BookshelfLegendary Children
by Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquez
With signature wit and queer sensibility, Tom & Lorenzo provide the ultimate fan guide to everything RuPaul’s Drag Race. It’s worth reading about how RuPaul’s show has uniquely honored the queer culture of the past while also celebrating it in today’s context for a new generation of LGBTQ+ viewers.
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$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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The Art of Drag
by Jake Hall
Yes, child. There was drag before RuPaul’s Drag Race. And before RuPaul herself. This illustrated guide unpacks centuries of rich tradition, expression, celebration and revolution. It’s FUN-damental text for anyone who wants to touch down on their drag roots.
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$21.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood
by Trixie Mattel and Katya
Who knows women better than two gay men? Don’t answer that. But, in all seriousness, Trixie and Katya bring their iconic mix of wit, wisdom, experience, excellence, goopery, and gaggery to this (actually) thoughtful reflection on topics that affect all humans walking this dumpster fire we call a planet. Beauty standards, balancing budgets, societal expectations, and a healthy dose of satire – what more could you ask for?
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$26.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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The T Guide
by Gigi Gorgeous, Gottmik (a.k.a Kade Gottlieb) and Swan Huntley
There is no right or wrong way to be trans – or to express your gender identity for that matter. No one understands that better than Gigi Gorgeous — the YouTube pioneer and advocate, and Gottmik (a.k.a. Kade Gottlieb) — whose makeup artistry and sense of fashion and self make him a drag icon and trailblazer in his own right. The pair bring their personal experiences as trans individuals in this guide that is much a meditation/conversation as it is chock-full of advice rooted in lived experience. They cover topics ranging from fashion to parenting, from coming out to affirming surgery, and everything in between. But what shines through most is their genuine passion for using their fame and experience to inspire and their genuine friendship.
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Sissy
by Jacob Tobia
Jacob Tobia’s heartfelt memoir touches on universal themes of identity, belonging, and coming of age, and addresses the unique experience of navigating their gender identity and expression. Tobia’s story is an empowering manifesto that shies away from no hard truths, but is sure to get a well-earned laugh along the way.
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$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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We Are Everywhere
by Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown
This history of LGBTQ+ rights protest, shown through incredible archival footage and thoughtful commentary from the folks who brought us @LGBT_history, shines a timely and relevant light on the ongoing struggle and hope of the movement.
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$40.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Beyond the Gender Binary
by Alok Vaid-Menon
You probably know Alok Vaid-Menon from their poetry, art, or prolific presence on the World Wide Web. What keeps folks coming back to Alok is their ability to bring an artist’s perspective to advocacy work that typically feels dry or dense. This book from the Pocket Change Collective provides a space for reflection, reimagination, and reconnection to the parts of ourselves society wants to box in through the lens of Alok’s always thoughtful vision. Whether you’re questioning your identity or simply want to learn more to be a better ally, In Beyond the Gender Binary offers a concise place to get started.
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$8.99Buy from Other Retailers:
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Gender Outlaw
by Kate Bornstein
Kate’s take on her own boundary-defying life—and the politics surrounding it—was originally published in 1994. Perhaps because it was simply ahead of its time, just like its author, the book has been recently updated with a new introduction. If you only know Kate from I Am Cait, be sure to touch down on this text.
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$18.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Gender and Our Brains
by Gina Rippon
A nonfiction manifesto that explains what RuPaul has been teaching us for years: We’re all born naked, and the rest is drag. This groundbreaking work explores the neuroscience that debunks the myth of a gendered brain. Read on to become the smartest person at your viewing party!
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$20.00Buy from Other Retailers:
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Working Girls
by Trixie Mattel and Katya
You might be thinking to yourself: “what do two drag queens have to offer your average office worker by way of advice?” Or, “How can YouTube stars with a show called UNHhhh help me find the career that’s right for me?” Well, Mary, you’re not thinking about this correctly because these two started from the bottom and have found a way to succeed on their own terms. They have — collectively — competed multiple times on the most challenging show in reality show history (one got robbed, one did the robbing), created a media empire discussing (literally) “whatever they want,” launched a motel, a cosmetics business, AND still had time to write multiple New York Times bestselling books? Have I sold you yet? Is the bus still running?
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$28.00Buy from Other Retailers:
