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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
On the whole, I liked this--Virginia's voice rings true, especially as a teen with a massive inferiority complex thanks to her outwardly-perfect family. I really liked seeing Virginia come into her own and really start accepting herself, doing things that make HER happy instead of her mom.
But I wouldn't be me if I didn't have a complaint or two--in this case, the first focuses on the stereotypically Ironically Bad Parenting. Her mom is an adolescent psychiatrist and yet leaves Virginia home alone every weekend and doesn't go out of her way to talk to her? Doesn't try to talk to her in the wake of What Byron Did, or understand that, with everything going on, Virginia really needs to visit her best (and pretty much only) friend? Lady, that's Bad Parenting 101, and also kind of lazy to force that sort of IRONY into the book. At least if Mom TRIED, or wasn't a psychiatrist--but the combination is just absurd. Complaint #2 is the clumsy self-injury talk, particularly when Virginia thinks about cutting herself--the thoughts she expresses sound like the author read a book about cutters and crammed in the textbook signs and reasons, without worrying about making it seem natural to the character. (Insert argument about Virginia trying out new roles and maybe "cutter" will be one of them, but I didn't get the impression that's what was going on.)
But--I liked it, and I can see the appeal. I probably won't run right out and grab another Carolyn Mackler book right away, but this was enjoyble enough.
But I wouldn't be me if I didn't have a complaint or two--in this case, the first focuses on the stereotypically Ironically Bad Parenting. Her mom is an adolescent psychiatrist and yet leaves Virginia home alone every weekend and doesn't go out of her way to talk to her? Doesn't try to talk to her in the wake of What Byron Did, or understand that, with everything going on, Virginia really needs to visit her best (and pretty much only) friend? Lady, that's Bad Parenting 101, and also kind of lazy to force that sort of IRONY into the book. At least if Mom TRIED, or wasn't a psychiatrist--but the combination is just absurd. Complaint #2 is the clumsy self-injury talk, particularly when Virginia thinks about cutting herself--the thoughts she expresses sound like the author read a book about cutters and crammed in the textbook signs and reasons, without worrying about making it seem natural to the character. (Insert argument about Virginia trying out new roles and maybe "cutter" will be one of them, but I didn't get the impression that's what was going on.)
But--I liked it, and I can see the appeal. I probably won't run right out and grab another Carolyn Mackler book right away, but this was enjoyble enough.
5/5 stars
Virginia Shreves is the largest one in her family and constantly feels like the black sheep of the family and feels like the whole world is against her. Until her family gets a phone call that changes everything..
I absolutely LOVED this book. At first I was getting a tad annoyed with the way that the family was treating her, mostly the Mom and brother. However during the course of reading the book, I fell absolutely head over hills in love with it. It touches body image issues in such a way I feel like it should be a staple for every girl to read. While there are many books that touch on this issue, very few do it in such a way that is extremely relatable to the audience that they are trying to speak to.
Throughout the book it is easy to see how her family is changing their views and is becoming more and more understanding of who she is and why she is the way that she is and why she does the things that she does. This book might be one of my top reads for 2018 so far.
Virginia Shreves is the largest one in her family and constantly feels like the black sheep of the family and feels like the whole world is against her. Until her family gets a phone call that changes everything..
I absolutely LOVED this book. At first I was getting a tad annoyed with the way that the family was treating her, mostly the Mom and brother. However during the course of reading the book, I fell absolutely head over hills in love with it. It touches body image issues in such a way I feel like it should be a staple for every girl to read. While there are many books that touch on this issue, very few do it in such a way that is extremely relatable to the audience that they are trying to speak to.
Throughout the book it is easy to see how her family is changing their views and is becoming more and more understanding of who she is and why she is the way that she is and why she does the things that she does. This book might be one of my top reads for 2018 so far.
This title slays me every time. This book was for “censored novels” week in my Teen Materials class. It was infuriating to read/listen at times because Virginia’s parents were the worst. Especially her mom. This is the second mom in a book that I’ve really wanted to punch lately! That’s fun. Anyway, the fat-phobia in this book is awful (but that’s kinda the point) and I loved seeing the process of Virginia learning to trust herself and her body and fight back against the bullshit. She was a bad ass and I hope young girls have been inspired by her to focus on self love and feeling okay instead of their weight and diet BS that society shoves down our throats ❤️
i loved this all over again! pretty sure there’s not a YA book out there that I could relate to more, as a high schooler. I love Virginia’s story and am so grateful for it. amazing book— can’t wait to read he second one!
A really boring book about a fat girl and how she feels when it comes to her mother, her boyfriend, her perfect family, highschool and sex.
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Virginia's character changed for the better throughout the course of the book. The fact that her mother was such a perfectionist was really holding her back, and I thought that the real Virginia blossomed once she overcame her mother's insecurities.
This is a great book for girls who have weight issues or self esteem issues. The main character, Ginny, uses food to help her deal with her emotions. Things get especially rough when her brother is kicked out of college for date rape and her parents start pushing her to lose weight. I would recommend this for older girls as there is some sexual content as well as some language. I think girls could learn a lot from Ginny as she learns who she is and what makes her happy.
I hate when authors have a curvy character but remind you every five pages in case you forget. OK,WE GET IT!
See my thoughts in my "Recent Reads - Summer Wrap Up of 16 Books!" video https://youtu.be/22p0btrITgU