Surpassing Certainty: What My Twenties Taught Me
Written by Janet Mock
Narrated by Janet Mock
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
A few months before her twentieth birthday, Janet Mock is adjusting to her days as a first-generation college student at the University of Hawaii and her nights as a dancer at a strip club. Finally content in her body after her teenage transition, she vacillates between flaunting and concealing herself as she navigates dating and disclosure, sex and intimacy, and most important, letting herself be truly seen. Under the neon lights of Club Nu, Janet meets Troy, a yeoman stationed at Pearl Harbor naval base, who becomes her first. The pleasures and perils of their relationship serve as a backdrop for Janet’s progression through all the universal growing pains—falling in and out of love, living away from home, and figuring out what she wants to do with her life.
Fueled by her dreams and an inimitable drive, Janet makes her way through New York City intent on building a career in the highly competitive world of magazine publishing—within the unique context of being trans, a woman, and a person of color. Hers is a timely glimpse about the barriers many face—and a much-needed guide on how to make a way out of no way.
Long before she became one of the world’s most respected media figures and lauded leaders for equality and justice, Janet learned how to advocate for herself before becoming an advocate for others. In this “honest and timely appraisal of what it means to be true to yourself” (Booklist), Surpassing Certainty offers an “exquisitely packaged gift of her experiences...that signals something greater” (Bitch Magazine).
Janet Mock
Janet Mock is a writer, TV host, and advocate tackling stigma through storytelling. With a Master’s in journalism from New York University, the Honolulu native began her career as an editor at People.com and went on to write cover stories for Marie Claire, Interview, and The Advocate as well as essays for The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Lenny. She produced HBO’s The Trans List, hosts the podcast Never Before, and serves as a columnist for Allure. Called a “fearless new voice” and “trailblazing leader” who “changed my way of thinking” by Oprah Winfrey, Janet was a featured speaker at the historic Women’s March on Washington. She is the author of Surpassing Certainty and the New York Times bestseller Redefining Realness. Find out more at JanetMock.com.
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Reviews for Surpassing Certainty
33 ratings6 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing story teller and stellar human! Much to learn from this story. Thank you Janet for sharing.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Janet's articulate and self aware nature is as prevalent as ever. At times, I became mildly tired of her tendency to overly explain (you can tell she loves words), but I recognize that this is just her stylistic choice.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book was such a great listen. I cringed, I said "Girl!", I laughed. Whew it was quite a ride. Sometimes sad and often inspirational. I recommend this work. Thank you Janet for sharing your story.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love Janet. I have read her first memoir three times, but listening to this was truly a transformative experience. She brilliantly weaves her own life story with pop culture and theory which contextualizes everything she has been through. Truly a great read, or listen, I should say.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Janet Mock is a fantastic writer! Her years as a journalist really show in this book as she shares her journey into independence and adulthood. I love how she was able to be informative about issues facing the Trans community in a way that felt seamless to the story. I hope she keeps writing memoirs for every decade of her life moving forward.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I cried, really cried. She said a story I can truly resonate with as we both are a living free woman but has an unique story on the back. She has empowered me to be a better woman, and I want to be like her! Thank you Janet! Your voice is so soothing and audiobook works so good for me!!!