“Well, unless I’m sitting atop you, what I weigh is really none of your business.”

This is another book Overdrive recommended for Women’s History Month, and yet another body-positive memoir I’ve read recently. I’d never heard of Brittany Gibbons prior to reading this, but I enjoyed it. It’s not really a book about being a “fat girl”, like the cover implies, but it’s definitely about dealing with a crappy childhood and learning to embrace yourself. She also REALLY hated college, and talks about that a lot here.

“First things first, I’m going to tell you why I’m fat, because I actually get this question a lot, much in the way people are asked how they got into live-action role playing or funeral home cosmetology. The answer I’d like to give to people who ask me that question is that God made us all different, and she made some people round-shaped, like me, and some people asshole-shaped, like you. Too direct? Fine, here’s the deal.
Most kids inherit their best qualities from their parents. I inherited mental illness and fat thighs. Oh, and astigmatism and course body hair.”

Gibbons grew up with people who liked to eat, and associated happiness with eating. She also suffered from depression (as did her father, if I remember correctly), and struggled with it mightily — especially in college. She talks about her body and her relationships and how she was teased at school. She also talks about embracing herself and learning to love her imperfections. It’s nothing really new or spectacular — although her humorous voice made it a lot of fun — but I kind of love that these sorts of stories are becoming so mainstream!