Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls: A Handbook for Unapologetic Living

My first impression is that this book says nothing new. If you've been searching for a healthy self esteem for your fat self, this book doesn't have anything new. If you haven't been searching for a healthy self esteem you probably aren't too fat, so why buy the book? I agree that diets are useless. Every time Dr. Now gives those 600 pound patients a 1200 a day diet I want to scream. I agree that learning to like the way you look is important. I've found that unapologetic living comes with age. I can't decide if the standards are lower or we are just smarter.

If you are a fat woman, you NEED to read this book. I am not joking at all. I have never experienced a book hangover from a non fiction book, and that is until now. This book has moved me in so many ways and has helped me to start seeing myself in a whole new light I never knew was possible. Hell, this book even gave me the courage to post five pictures of myself on Facebook, and that is a huge deal because usually, I hate posting pictures of myself. Jes Baker has done an amazing thing by writing this book and to her, I am so grateful that she took the time to do this and to share her wonderful wisdom with the world. Thank you Jes, thank you. You have helped me on the path of feeling so much better about being a fat girl in this world.

I became aware of Jes Baker after I watched the documentary 'Embrace' by Taryn Brumfit. The interview with Jes made me laugh and so I went online to find more of her works. Jes tells it like it is and better yet, tells you how it CAN be. Her lists of recommended reading, social media etc are priceless as far as I'm concerned. You go, girl!

I’m a BIG FAT fan of this book !! Thanks Jes! Your work here is admired and appreciated and has been majorly transformative for me. You affirmed so many of my feelings growing up my entire life. As a feminist, I have struggled to find my voice in this conversation around body positivity and fat phobia! This is a very important piece of writing in that discussion! You have given me language and a resource to refer to. Can’t say enough, could probably keep writing on about this a lot longer. Everyone needs to read this book, fat, plus, skinny, thin, athletic. It’s a book for everyone.

I really found this book educational and entertaining. I was only recently made aware of the body positivity movement, and this book was recommended as a starting point for learning about it. The author gives tons of info and she gives it in honest, really humorous ways. Be warned that the language is not always G-rated, but it gets the point across fabulously. I would recommend this as a great read for ANYONE who has felt a negative association with their body. It will make you think, challenge your perceptions and probably change how you look at yourself and others.

While it may sometimes feel like a total cheese-fest as you read it, I always put the book down feeling better about myself. Subtle empowerment through in-your-face cheerleading is no small feat. This will be a book I re-read every few months!

Love it! Jes Baker is my new hero. Even as a guy, I was able to get a lot of benefit from this book and gained a lot of insight into the daily struggles of women in general.I have given a couple copies to female friends and have been amazed at the transformation it has helped bring to them. Their confidence is more obvious and they have embraced their curves.

It was definitely food for thought. Again, I’m not much into self help books. I wish I had read a similar book years ago, as it could have helped me during my years of self-loathing. I felt like I needed more from this or maybe my expectations were higher given we are in a body positive movement but in the end just felt meh.

As a 'fat girl' I was interested to hear what these things are that nobody will tell me! To sum up the book, it came across as the author just ranting on about how mean society is to the larger person. I was given the impression that the author's size made her feel incredibly unhappy, to the point of self loathing and depression. Trying to convince herself that she should love her fat body rather than change it is the thread that runs through the book. Its as though losing weight would somehow be 'giving in' to society and refusing to do so is somehow more worthy. If someone is happy being fat that's great, its thier body and thier choice and nobody should be treated less favourably because they are big. However losing a few pounds is an option and doesn't always mean you have given into social pressure. As a fat person I hate how my legs rub together, how I sweat and get out of breath. I'd rather take action to tackle that than be uncomfortable. You don't have to accept you will always be fat, its not a disability. To sum up, I felt the book was one dimensional. If you love being fat thats genuinly fine but if you want to change thats fine too. The swearing was quite annoying as well.

Interesting read but lots of American language like "y'all" which 8s understandable as the author is American but slightly annoying- that just my personal preference though!

This book is such an eye opener and honestly it changed my life. Jes Baker is witty and poignant and goes into much more depth into the history of our societies views on bodies far more than any other book I've read on Body Positivity. It really made me think about how diet culture and the world at large has influenced me and caused my lack of body confidence, and gave me great tools to prevent this in the future! It's a great read and I would definitely recommend!

It was really good to read another book by someone who understands the injustice and society pressure, and the witchhunts that heavier people face, made me feel more confident knowing i'm not the only one who knows the stuggle

A truly insightful read, that is inspiring and interesting and I would recommend anyone to read it. There are parts that you can relate too and parts that I hadn't thought about before, but it leaves you with a different perspective. It makes you smile and want to stand that bit taller and be more confident in yourself :-)