Body positive messages are expanding their reach. People are putting down their super-retouched fashion magazines and picking up books and articles with empowering messages for men and women of all sizes. The prevailing view of body-beauty praises a certain type of (generally unattainable) figure. Reality check: we come in all shapes and sizes and we love to identify with similar-minded, like-bodies individuals. That’s why these body positive books are so good- their characters are relatable and the messages are encouraging. Here are five lovely body positive books – what’s your favorite?
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphey
Never judge a book by it’s cover, but praise a cover if it’s amazing. Dumplin’ is a great book (and the cover is AMAZING). Willowdean Dickson, named Dumplin’ by her mother, has always been plump and she’s always been completely fine with it. At her new job, she meets a very attractive jock and for the first time, she starts to feel self-doubt, even though this boy has a crush on her! Dumplin’ is a hilarious and endearing character and her story is as real as it gets. The message: she deserves everything that her thinner counterpart gets (and more- but you have to read it to find out!).
Look at Me by Jennifer Egan
What happens when your life revolves around your beauty? What happens when your beauty if ‘taken away’, or changed? Look at Me is about a fashion model named Charlotte who suffers from a car accident that requires loads of plastic surgery, leaving her almost unrecognizable. Egan’s ambitious and dramatic-yet-witty novel takes a deep look at identity, self-worth, and the superficial ‘importance’ of appearance. Look at Me is full of surprises, both inspiring and unsettling.
Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight by Linda Bacon
Linda Bacon takes and important (and healthy) stance about weight. Dieting isn’t the answer; being thin definitely is not the answer; feeling good is the answer. Health at Every Size (HAES) is a movement that encourages people to find the right lifestyle for your body and mind- without a focus on body weight or size. Bacon, a nutrition professor and researcher, explains why dieting fails, how biology dictates size, and how to keep your mind and body happy, healthy, and (literally) running. It is a fascinating and super informative read for anyone and will make you praise your body (it does a lot for you).
Things No On Will Tell Fat Girls: A Handbook for Unapologetic Living by Jes Baker
Jes Baker (popularly known as ‘The Militant Baker’) is a great writer – she’s honest, funny, and provides a fearless voice for women of all shapes and sizes. Things no One Will Tell Fat Girls is a collection of essays on a well-rounded variety of topics. From “Salad Will Not Get You to Heaven”, to “It’s Possible to Love Your Body (Today. Now)” to “Your Weight Is Not a Reflection of Your Worth”, Baker provides an thought-provoking book that is sure to make you laugh. It is body-positive, healthy living, self-help book with a powerful feminist message.
She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb
Wally Lamb hits the nail on the head (about life) with this coming-of-age story: Life is beautiful, it’s frustrating, and despite it’s imperfections, it can be great. We meet Dolores Price at the height of her pre-teen years and watch her grow into a young woman- at 257 pounds. Like any young woman, Dolores struggles with caring for herself and hurting herself. She sometimes makes terrible decisions, people she loves hurt her, and the world can be cruel to her, but she fights for positivity in her life. Reading about her is both heartbreaking and enlightening.
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
Gabi is amazing, the best part about her being how incredibly real and relatable she is. Written in the form of a diary, Quintero follows Gabi’s final year in high school. Her best friend is pregnant, her mother is hard on Gabi’s weight (and Gabi loves food), her father struggles with meth-addiction, and, on top of it all, she’s trying to get into college! Gabi is also an excellent writer who’s making a Zine about the female body and growing up as a young Latina.
Honorable mentions: