Body positivity is a movement that has gained serious momentum over the past decade, largely in part to social media. There are countless body positive bloggers and writers who use their platform to inform and inspire women of all shapes and sizes. No matter your age, weight or level of confidence, everyone struggles with body image at some point. These books break down the beauty myths that have been shoved down our throats for decades and put a new spin on “body positive.”
You deserve to love every inch of your body, and these books will help.
Everything’s Trash, But It’s Okay by Phoebe Robinson
Body positivity and self-image don’t have to be serious awakenings every single time. Sometimes, they come through humor, which is precisely what Robinson’s essay collection does. In this hysterical book, Robinson covers topics including society’s nonsense beauty standards, toxic masculinity and more.
Body Kindness by Rebecca Scritchfield, RDN
By loving, connecting and caring for your mind and your body you can learn ways to create a happier and healthier life through compassion. This book shares four unique principles on what you do, how you feel, who you are and where you belong and helps you to identify what you really want.
Body Outlaws edited by Ophira Edut
This book goes far beyond standard body image issue and dives into the intersections of body image and race and gender and sexuality. In this collection it dissects how different our world would be if women were able to confidently defy the norms of beauty we’ve been conditioned to strive for.
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
You can’t compile a list of body-positive books without including Roxane Gay’s groundbreaking memoir, Hunger. Her essays are raw and honest explorations of food and weight. If you’re considered larger than “average,” Roxane’s memoir is a must-read. She explores what it’s like to be seen as anything but normal by the narrow (read; white and straight) American cultural standards.
The Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
If you’re not familiar with Sonya Renee Taylor, you’re truly missing out on a vital source of inspiration. As a poet, author, humanitarian, spoken word artist and founder of The Body Is Not An Apology movement, Taylor has dedicated her career to fostering “global, radical, unapologetic self-love, which translates to radical human love and action in service toward a more just, equitable and compassionate world.” This book is an insightful and vibrant look into self-love that everyone should read.
Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West
As women, we’re conditioned to believe we should take up as little space as possible. And if you’re overweight, you better shrink yourself to not take up any more space in society. Lindy West refuses to be small and wants to convince others that fat people are valuable. Vulnerable and charming, Shrill helps readers understand how to become self-aware with biting humor and honesty.
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