Hello! I’m here to talk about another nonfiction I got the chance to read early surrounding the topic of asexuality and aromanticism that releases this year! **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**
Towards the end of the last year / beginning of 2023, I went on a bit of a requesting / read now spree on NetGalley whenever I saw a nonfiction book touching on asexuality and aromanticism. The topics are close to my heart, as someone who identifies somewhere on both these spectrums. It’s been interesting seeing the similarities and differences these books bring to the table. Ace and Aro Journeys is the next one on my radar releasing in 2023, written by a collective, The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project (TAAAP), which is an organization dedicated to providing resources on asexuality and aromanticism to the public. I’m glad I got the chance to read their nonfiction release.
From the book’s description: “What does it mean to be ace or aro? How should I approach the challenges that come with being ace or aro? How can I best support the ace and aro people in my life? Join the The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project (TAAAP) for a deep dive into the process of discovering and embracing your ace and aro identities. Empower yourself to explore the nuances of your identity, find and develop support networks, explore different kinds of partnership, come out to your communities and find real joy within. Combining a rigorous exploration of identity and sexuality models with hundreds of candid and poignant testimonials – this companion vouches for your personal truth, wherever you lie on the aspec spectrum. You are not invisible! You are among friends.” In the introductory chapter, it’s stated that the goal of the book is to be a stepping stone to understanding the asexual and aromantic identities and communities, including discussing challenges individuals on these spectrums often experience. In my opinion, the book is incredibly successful at achieving its goal. There is a combination of definitions and discussions of community, quotes from a variety of individuals about their personal ace and aro experiences, and a walkthrough of an interpretation of The Asexual Identity Development Model offering advice at each of the seven steps. from What I think is this book’s biggest strength and appeal is its clear audience – there are very specific sections that are aimed towards aspec individuals confident in their identity, sections that offer advice to people who may be questioning if they are asexual or aromantic, and sections that speak directly to the allies who are picking up this book to support any aspecs in their life. There is also a very evident emphasis on the differences between asexuality and aromanticism, and, while acknowledging the possible overlap, makes sure to offer information for individuals identifying on one spectrum but not the other. I will say that at times, this book did feel like reading a textbook, and occasionally I felt like it was focusing too much on negative outcomes or situations. I do appreciate that it didn’t shy away from discussions of negativity, such as explicitly stating that the asexual and aromantic communities are not immune to racism, homophobia, and ableism, it felt a little heavy at times which could be difficult for someone questioning their identity to read. There were also bullet points offering direct advice in the later chapters, but these sometimes felt very repetitive especially if there were multiple sections per chapter. I respected that there was such a big emphasis on trusting yourself in understanding your own identity and relationship with the terminology and community, because words are personal and your own experiences can shape what they are able to mean for you.
Overall I found this to be a really great introduction to the asexual and aromantic communities, as well as advice on evaluating your personal identity and ability to achieve confidence in yourself. I’d recommend it to anyone questioning if they are asexual or aromantic, and for individuals who want to learn about and support the aces and aros in their lives. It’s a rather all-encompassing read, and I feel like everyone who picks it up, no matter how they identify, will learn something important. Ace and Aro Journeys is set to be released on April 21st, 2023, which is the day this post goes live, so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday, and consider picking up a copy for yourself or someone in your life if you’re interested. *Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Where to find Ace and Aro Journeys:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project
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