What Books and Videos have you found to be helpful?

S. Lisa Smith · Post by **S. Lisa Smith** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 11:09 pm

On another thread Jadeanne asked what books and videos we have found helpful. This is a great question and deserves its own thread. I mentioned that I found the video "Melanie Speaks" ( terrible production quality) and JoAnn Roberts' books Art and Illusion: A Guide to Crossdressing, vol. 1 and 2 extermely helpful. (I've never read Vol. 3, but I bet it's good, too). Which books and videos have you found helpful?

Alexandra · Post by **Alexandra** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 2:13 am

IMO, when it comes to clothing selection, get "What Not To Wear" by Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine. Written for GGs, it clearly shows (with hundreds of pictures) why certain clothes should be avoided. After reading this book, you'll probably toss half your wardrobe and start looking good and maybe even "pass"!

The two books by Veronica Vera are also somewhat useful, if not amusing reads.

Allena · Post by **Allena** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 10:04 am

Visting the various CD web resources, I've come across many books dealing with crossdressing as an issue, say between husband and wife, or in society in general.
I've seen many resources dealing with actual "transformation" into a feminine self. These have been books and videos, some written for CD'ers and some for GG's.
I decided to start with JoAnne Roberts book, "My Husband Wears My Clothes".

I'll keep looking for other suggestions.
Thanks

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 6:57 pm

I thought "My Husband Wears my Clothes" was by Peggy Rudd?

Jadeanne · Post by **Jadeanne** » Tue Dec 23, 2003 10:04 pm

Lisa

Thank you for starting this thread - I'm finding a lot of good possibilities for reading/viewing material. Under the Christmas tree is a Barnes & Noble gift card (didn't open it up and see the amount yet), so I have more incentive to get some books/videos.

Jadeanne

Allena · Post by **Allena** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 9:07 am

"Like a Kid in a Candy Store"

I went out shopping last night while the stores stayed open til midnight!
I found a couple of books at Borders...
"My Husband Betty" by Helen Boyd
and
"What Not to Wear" by Woodall & Constantine
I glanced through and read a few pages of the latter, and while I have not seen their t.v. show, the book looks part entertainment, part informative (I hope anyway)
The former was written by a wife of a crossdresser. I am just getting started so I don't have a real assessment of it yet.

I had a book come in today I ordered online...
"The Lazy Crossdresser" by Charles Anders
This one I jumped right into and found it pretty good so far, although I'm also not very far along with it.

It's almost like being back in school...too many books to read, too much stuff to study!
At least it's a topic I'm personally interested and involved in!

SharonRose · Post by **SharonRose** » Wed Dec 24, 2003 1:07 pm

I purchased two books on makeup, "Making Faces" by Kevyn Aucoin and "Beauty: The New Basics" by Rona Berg. Making Faces explains the basics of makeup application and technique, and provides full color illustrations and sketches for creating dozens of different looks. One of his models is a male, who he magically transforms into a beautiful woman.

The Berg book offers a complete discussion of beauty, i.e. hair, skincare, makeup, cosmetic surgery, hands, feet, etc. with comparison of common brands of products.

I also purchased Melanie Ann Phillips' "Developing a Female Voice" on Audio CD. She offers tips on how to train your voice to sound more feminine. I listen to it often while driving in my car. Her website is located at http://heartcorps.com/journeys/

Jadeanne · Post by **Jadeanne** » Thu Dec 25, 2003 8:16 pm

I hope everyone is having a happy holiday.

I have took the Rona Berg book out of the library twice in the past and found it very informative. I also took out a book by Victoria Jackson, but that was oriented toward her own line of cosmetics. I found the Rona Berg book more useful for me.

When I opened up my Barnes & Noble gift card, it was for $25, so I'm going to look closely there, along with other places.

Thanks, everyone for the input so far. I'm looking forward to further input from forum members.

Jadeanne

SharonRose · Post by **SharonRose** » Thu Dec 25, 2003 9:22 pm

Jadeann,

I got a very special present today. See my thread under "Coping for Crossdressers."

By the way, I picked the Aucoin book because several other crossdressers mentioned it on their websites. I found the Berg book by searching in Amazon.com for the most popular books on cosmetics. I bought the books online, used, one through Amazon.com and the other through Barnes and Noble.com.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and happy holidays to all

Sharon Rose

SharonRose · Post by **SharonRose** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 1:45 pm

Allen and Nancy,

Joann Roberts wrote "Coping with Crossdressing." "My husband wears my clothes" is by Peggy Rudd.

Sharon Rose

Jadeanne · Post by **Jadeanne** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 10:20 pm

Hi all,

Another occaisional source of information is QVC, the cable shopping channel.

Once in a while my wife and I surf there and I pick up tips that I can apply to style/color choices. I find the makeup presentations useful sometimes.

So far, my wife and I have only bought 2 things from QVC - a bug zapper and an earring set (my wife said she really liked it, so I got it online and was impressed with the quality, and she was THRILLED when I gave them to her).

Does antone else pick up tips from the shopping channels?

Jadeanne

Allena · Post by **Allena** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 12:23 am

Well, I'm back from my trip and I've been reading Helen Boyd's, "My Husband Betty".
I'm about half-way through and I think it's a TREMENDOUS book!
I have to say, I've learned from it, and it's also opened my eyes to what my wife may be feeling and how I might consider responding to her.

I had a pile of boxes at the post office tonight, several sewing books and a couple of CD books.
I'll report more when I can.
Oh, I did see the book "Making Faces", in a bookstore this weekend.
It looks like a really good book, although it's a bit pricey.

SharonRose · Post by **SharonRose** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 9:43 am

I just ordered the Peggy Rudd book "My Husband Wears my Clothes" to share with my GF.

Sample pages can be viewed at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0962676 ... eader-link

A GG friend of mine also recommended "My Husband Betty" so I will have to look at that one too.

You can read excertps from that at http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/index.html

Allena · Post by **Allena** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 9:59 pm

Well, I'm still working on Helen Boyd's book and somewhere in the middle she dropped a section on the "scientific history" of transgender/autogenyphilia/etc. into my lap...too much for me to wade through.
I work in the medical field and personally, I find alot of the hypothetical, "my theory is bigger than your theory" chest-thumping to be a bit of a bore.
I'm sure there are folks out there who really dig that kind of stuff.

After I finish that book, I have a slew of others that have shown up at my door in the past few days due to my feverish excitement and usage of the MC plastic money.

Here's my list of future reading...
My Husband Wears My Clothes (yes, it's by Peggy J. Rudd, my mistake)
Crossdressing With Dignity (also by Peggy J. Rudd)
Out & About - The Emancipated Crossdresser (Lacey Leigh)
The Lazy Crossdresser (Charles Anders)
and a book I found for $6.00! at a bookstore I visited while on vacation...
Dress Codes (Noelle Howey)

So, how long will this take me?????
Back to school...