\\10 Days In A Madhouse by Nellie Bly (Bly Press)

Originally published as a series of articles in 1887 by Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World, this groundbreaking work in undercover journalism detailed the wretched conditions of a women’s insane asylum off the coast of New York. After pretending to be mad and to be picked  up by the police, Nellie Bly chronicled the abuse she and other patients endured at the hands of corrupt nurses and oblivious doctors. The exposé prompted reformation in the asylum system for increased patient safety.

\\I’m A Fan by Sheena Patel (Rough Trade Books)

Chronically online is an understatement for the unnamed single speaker in this work of fiction as she stalks a woman who is sleeping with the same man as her. Armed with the power of anonymity, the speaker dissects every story, post, and caption of this ostensibly perfect woman. The lens of her analysis assumes many forms as she admires, seethes, and criticizes her one-sided nemesis. This book operates as a commentary on white-washing, performative activism and privilege as well as social media as an informative yet soul-sucking tool.

\\Inverse Cowgirl by Alicia Roth Weigel (HarperOne)

This autobiography of a person born as intersex is entertaining, approachable and illuminating. Born with XY (male) chromosomes but presenting as female, Weigel underwent what most would call “gender-affirming care” without consent as a child at the recommendation of medical staff more concerned with social norms than her health. A subject that is often approached from a clinical perspective, Weigel offers something genuinely human instead with tales from her earliest memories, middle school, studying abroad in Brazil, to working in politics and more. Weigel makes it clear that her target audience is other intersex people with the intent to validate and humanize their lived experiences although she encourages others to broaden their understanding through her story, too.