I have always struggled to find my body represented in books. Reading is a great escape, but when all characters are generally slim and fit modern beauty standards — or their bodies aren’t described — books change from an escape to an unwelcome reminder that my plus-size body doesn’t belong, even in fictional worlds. We see unachievable beauty standards in every aspect of media, including books, but that doesn’t mean that all of them promote a stringent beauty myth. Here are five body-positive reads that push back against beauty standards and expectations, reminding everyone that we should love our bodies no matter their size.
- Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
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Spoiler Alert is romance author Olivia Dade’s newest release, and Dade doesn’t hold back! The lead, April, is a self-proclaimed fat woman who is not ashamed of her body, but finds pride, confidence and beauty in it. Like all of us, she has her insecurities. The last thing she expects, however, is for her capitulation into semi-stardom when she begins dating Marcus Caster Rupp, the too-hot-too-handle lead on a Game of Thrones-esque TV show. Spoiler Alert validates that beauty comes is in all bodies, no matter their size or shape.
- I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee
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When Skye Shin enters a K-Pop competition, she doesn’t expect the fame… or the nonstop comments on her body — both fatphobic and uplifting. Skye’s confidence in her skills and body is such a breath of fresh air, and a great message to everyone to love your body as it is, not as what it could be.
- Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy
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Dear Sweet Pea is one of my favorite reads of last year, and I still think about it to this day. This is the book I wish I had back in middle school — the narrative that supported bodies of all sizes. Give yourself a gift and read this book.
- The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
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The Prince and the Dressmaker is simply darling. The young adult graphic novel is perfect for all ages and is a happy celebration of all bodies, gender expressions and sexualities.
- One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
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One to Watch is author Stayman-London’s debut novel, which asks the question: what if a plus-size woman was the lead on a dating reality show akin to The Bachelorette? The answer is a narrative that spoke directly to my soul. No lie, I cried in the first 10 pages. The main character, Bea, is both confident and insecure, trusting and doubtful and a blast of a protagonist. One to Watch exemplifies that loving and accepting yourself isn’t a direct path, but one with twists and turns along the way.
Whether you are still on the path to self-acceptance or fully accept your body, the five books above are wonderful examples that will reiterate that all bodies — not just those that fit rigid beauty standards — are worthy of love and respect.