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veecaswell's review
4.0
I knew I’d be into this story as going on the synopsis, I’ve seen some of the story in real life, and Laura Dockrill with these thoughts creates a story that feels raw and honest, but also confident and funny in it’s moments with an ending that’s touching but also one I can imagine happening, that’s real talent.
I was worried that BB’s happiness in her body would change, but thankfully this book is very much one about positivity and being happy with who you are and the writing is pretty good. BB’s descriptions of food are in particular really are mouthwatering (The crumpets at the beginning!) and do kind of make you hungry reading this book which I guess says the writing does get to you!
As a character Bluebell is sassy and a little egotistic, however she is probably one of my new favourite characters and I wish I was a dash like her myself and how the book is written is great too. I really enjoy diary form books and Dockrill uses it incredibly well in this book making for a fun read.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review).
I was worried that BB’s happiness in her body would change, but thankfully this book is very much one about positivity and being happy with who you are and the writing is pretty good. BB’s descriptions of food are in particular really are mouthwatering (The crumpets at the beginning!) and do kind of make you hungry reading this book which I guess says the writing does get to you!
As a character Bluebell is sassy and a little egotistic, however she is probably one of my new favourite characters and I wish I was a dash like her myself and how the book is written is great too. I really enjoy diary form books and Dockrill uses it incredibly well in this book making for a fun read.
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for a honest review).
lonirocks13's review against another edition
1.0
Awful
So boring. Took ages to read, and was just filled with crap. Didn’t start a proper storyline until 3/4. Would not recommend.
So boring. Took ages to read, and was just filled with crap. Didn’t start a proper storyline until 3/4. Would not recommend.
owls_rainbow's review
5.0
Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.
Content Warning: Mentions of food in detail and one scene that describes induced vomiting.
This was awesome! I was worried when I saw it had a plus-size main character, would it be focused on dieting and wanting to lose weight? How wrong I was to worry!
Bluebelle or BB to her friends in the fat positive (screw this thin person only 'body positive' bullshit) heroine that teen girls need! Even her thin younger sister Dove doesn't fit conventional feminine stereotypes of boys and make-up either. Instead she is a badass free-runner.
The side characters were an interesting bunch as well, Alicia was a nightmare, exactly the sort of person you don't want as a friend or boss. Max was a sweetheart. Dad seemed kind of useless but at least he was there for his daughters.
I loved that the book focused on the joys of food, both preparing and eating it. I thought the fact that it wasn't in traditional food diary format was a good thing. I feel like for a book about weight acceptance that the traditional format (e.g. breakfast - cereal etc) might be triggering for some people. I guess the mentions of food in general might be but at least it was pretty much all positive. There were maybe one or two foods that Bluebelle mentioned she didn't like but that was it. Oh the walkthrough on how to make yourself vomit in a childhood flashback was highly problematic in its detail.
Otherwise I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of numbers talk in general and Bluebelle's eventual gym attendance is for strength not, I repeat NOT weight loss. In fact on a return visit to the nurse at the end of the book Bluebelle is told she has lost weight and she replies that she doesn't care or that it doesn't matter, a scene that I absolutely love!
Laura's writing is fabulous though, it flows well, is beautifully descriptive - even foods I don't like/haven't tried I wanted to - and so so funny! Be careful reading the post Shepherd's Pie scene in a public places, you'll probably laugh out loud, it certainly had me grinning like a Cheshire cat.
5/5 stars
For more reviews see https://bulletproof-scarecrow.blogspot.co.uk/
Content Warning: Mentions of food in detail and one scene that describes induced vomiting.
This was awesome! I was worried when I saw it had a plus-size main character, would it be focused on dieting and wanting to lose weight? How wrong I was to worry!
Bluebelle or BB to her friends in the fat positive (screw this thin person only 'body positive' bullshit) heroine that teen girls need! Even her thin younger sister Dove doesn't fit conventional feminine stereotypes of boys and make-up either. Instead she is a badass free-runner.
The side characters were an interesting bunch as well, Alicia was a nightmare, exactly the sort of person you don't want as a friend or boss. Max was a sweetheart. Dad seemed kind of useless but at least he was there for his daughters.
I loved that the book focused on the joys of food, both preparing and eating it. I thought the fact that it wasn't in traditional food diary format was a good thing. I feel like for a book about weight acceptance that the traditional format (e.g. breakfast - cereal etc) might be triggering for some people. I guess the mentions of food in general might be but at least it was pretty much all positive. There were maybe one or two foods that Bluebelle mentioned she didn't like but that was it. Oh the walkthrough on how to make yourself vomit in a childhood flashback was highly problematic in its detail.
Otherwise I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of numbers talk in general and Bluebelle's eventual gym attendance is for strength not, I repeat NOT weight loss. In fact on a return visit to the nurse at the end of the book Bluebelle is told she has lost weight and she replies that she doesn't care or that it doesn't matter, a scene that I absolutely love!
Laura's writing is fabulous though, it flows well, is beautifully descriptive - even foods I don't like/haven't tried I wanted to - and so so funny! Be careful reading the post Shepherd's Pie scene in a public places, you'll probably laugh out loud, it certainly had me grinning like a Cheshire cat.
5/5 stars
For more reviews see https://bulletproof-scarecrow.blogspot.co.uk/
tennisgirl27's review
1.0
I probably should have listened to the reviews of this Young Adult book before borrowing it on my Kobo lol!! I’m not actually even sure why I kept on reading it. It was just really not a great book at all but I felt like I wanted to like it. 1/5
sandhills_kt's review
5.0
"Confidence isn’t something you can simply dream up or manifest. It comes from a place deep down. It’s a muscle, just like a bicep or the imagination, that needs training and attention; it can’t go to sleep. Self-love needs reminding. Needs activating and strengthening. You have to love yourself. It’s the start of everything, the rest will follow naturally."
I really liked this book. I would love to be friends with BB in real life. 🙂
I really liked this book. I would love to be friends with BB in real life. 🙂
lornam83's review
1.0
I think this book was intended for a younger audience, I just couldn't get into it
magicalrocketships's review against another edition
3.0
I found this one quite a difficult read, mostly because it's about a girl who just wants to exist in the body that she's in whilst surrounded by a sea of fatphobia. There's a lot to like about this, but if you're sensitive to body shaming / fat phobia then it can be a tough read at times. Bluebelle is a warm, interesting, fat main character and if you like good sibling relationships then her and her sister are great, but there were some definite mis-steps .
Spoiler
which used a family accident/temporary disability primarily to allow Bluebelle to progress on her emotional journey. Is there a word for the disability version of fridging a character?kmatch's review
4.0
3.5 stars. I went in thinking this was a complete body positivity fest. I didn’t get that vibe however. It’s more of a look inside of a persons mental status. Showing the struggle inside her head with knowing she’s overweight and knowing she’s being judged and then also making up being judged. Sometimes we are so insecure that we just know in our head that the people around us are surely judging us. I get this. She is trying to convince herself she doesn’t give a damn.
BB is also quite a bit self-absorbed. Towards the end she gets called out on that, but then the others end up apologizing to her for calling her out. I wish she could’ve had a little more self-realization on that part of herself.
The best quotes from the book are “Funny how women are the ones that suffer the most attack and punishment for their bodies when they are the ones that have to change the most” when referring to a mom’s body.
“Self-love needs reminding.”
BB is also quite a bit self-absorbed. Towards the end she gets called out on that, but then the others end up apologizing to her for calling her out. I wish she could’ve had a little more self-realization on that part of herself.
The best quotes from the book are “Funny how women are the ones that suffer the most attack and punishment for their bodies when they are the ones that have to change the most” when referring to a mom’s body.
“Self-love needs reminding.”
carmen_jimenezv's review
4.0
Big Bones is the first YA novel that I have read in 2018 and I am glad I requested a digital copy from NetGalley. It was a lovely reading experience because Dockrill really knows how to write and the story was hilarious.
BB is awesome, her experiences brought back memories from when I was a teenager myself and her way of looking at life was refreshing. This is a story about body confidence and getting to accept who we really are – both physically and mentally.
It’s an easy read, very well written, funny, raw and honest. The book is intended to be Bluebelle’s food diary but in it, she also writes about her family, her thoughts and feelings, her aspirations, feminism and body positivity. To be honest, I’ve never read something like this before – this is not a book about a toxic relationship with food, in fact, it’s quite the opposite and it’s empowering.
The story was believable and I think it was only once or twice where I found myself doubting the plot. The characters were warm and seeing the heroine being so happy in her own skin was inspirational.
It’s a story about food, friends, boys and family but above all is a story about trying to be healthy, taking care of oneself and finding balance. I loved the development of BB’s attitude and genuinely enjoyed every page. All in all, this book is success and I hope everyone gets the chance to read it.
BB is awesome, her experiences brought back memories from when I was a teenager myself and her way of looking at life was refreshing. This is a story about body confidence and getting to accept who we really are – both physically and mentally.
It’s an easy read, very well written, funny, raw and honest. The book is intended to be Bluebelle’s food diary but in it, she also writes about her family, her thoughts and feelings, her aspirations, feminism and body positivity. To be honest, I’ve never read something like this before – this is not a book about a toxic relationship with food, in fact, it’s quite the opposite and it’s empowering.
The story was believable and I think it was only once or twice where I found myself doubting the plot. The characters were warm and seeing the heroine being so happy in her own skin was inspirational.
It’s a story about food, friends, boys and family but above all is a story about trying to be healthy, taking care of oneself and finding balance. I loved the development of BB’s attitude and genuinely enjoyed every page. All in all, this book is success and I hope everyone gets the chance to read it.
lindsayclaire's review
5.0
Oh how I wish I had this book when I was a teenager. But the message and importance is not lost on adult me: I need to remember to love my body every single day. And this book is the best beautiful reminder.