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alykat_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I think she made some great points in this book; but they got lost in the chaos of this book. I don't do well with books that jump timelines constantly, and in some places it would jump every few paragraphs. There just wasn't any continuity when making the jumps so it felt disjointed and by the time I'd kind of figure out what was going on, it would jump to a different time without really any closure or segue from the last one. I think with some restructuring, this could have been a much more impactful book.
melissa_h's review against another edition
5.0
I have followed Jes Baker for years. I loved her first book and her second is no exception. It's more autobiography than her previous book. Highly recommended.
thelexingtonbookie's review against another edition
5.0
You guys, I have been watching for this book to come into my life for ages. After reading Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls, and then seeing that Baker was going to write another book, I was eagerly anticipating it's release. When it finally came out, I was hoping that the library would pick up the audiobook since I really wanted to physically hear Jes tell her story, but I waited and nothing. Figuring I waited long enough, I just decided to grab a hard copy and dove in.
Landwhale is a memoir of Baker's life experiences dealing with some of the big things that she struggled with in her life, such as: dealing with mental illness and PCOS; learning to liberate her body; falling in love and navigating the relationship; relationship problems with her father; and names that have been hurled at her for because of her appearance. In true Baker fashion, she addresses everything conversationally and without apology. She even starts off the book with a disclaimer:
"...a Hey, I'm writing about real life, and real life can occasionally be difficult, so please be gentle with your heart while flipping through these pages was in order. So in the spirit of transparency, I offer you this insider tip: The book you're holding? It's basically one long-ass trigger."
As I read, I empathized with many of Baker's experiences, and felt nothing but compassion and respect for her as she just opened her heart and
poured it into her writing. I teared up many times, but she always saved me from full out crying with a well timed joke, comment, or footnote. But before you go thinking the book is entirely heartbreaking, I will add that there are so many clever retorts and fantastic information that can be applied to your own personal situations. Gems that I flagged include:
"My jean size doesn't have anything to do with my value as a human." (pg 46)
""Never forget that you're the love of my life, okay?" he said as he kissed my forehead. I nodded and continued to hug him while he put in earplugs, because no matter how sexy I may be, I snore like a motherfucker." (pg 135)
"There is power in taking up space. There is power in challenging social norms. There is power in being fat and daring to exist. Every day I live my life, I'm winning." (pg 223)
Image result for landwhale book signing
(Photo Credit: Jes Baker, Google Images)
I also laughed and cheered when it came to learning more about the book's title and how Baker changed the insulting names back to their original meaning, or even acceptably cute nicknames! As a fellow fatty, I too have been called a myriad of insulting names that for the most part I let roll off me, but there have been a handful of situations where I felt completely demolished by hurt and shame. Now, I can look at some of those situations (that have stuck with me, and probably will for a long time) and see that the person flinging the insults is someone with their own insecurities who found an easy target to take their frustrations out upon. It's still not okay, but having someone give you the tools and the ability to get perspective on those situations holds a lot a value, in my opinion.
Within Landwhale, Baker lists at least a half dozen body image role models (that I promptly searched for & followed on Instagram), countless pointers on how to shut down the "have you tried dieting?" conversation, and a dozen pros (and cons) to loving your body. It's 253 pages of raw emotion and advice, and I strongly suggest you buy yourself a copy this instant.
Landwhale is a memoir of Baker's life experiences dealing with some of the big things that she struggled with in her life, such as: dealing with mental illness and PCOS; learning to liberate her body; falling in love and navigating the relationship; relationship problems with her father; and names that have been hurled at her for because of her appearance. In true Baker fashion, she addresses everything conversationally and without apology. She even starts off the book with a disclaimer:
"...a Hey, I'm writing about real life, and real life can occasionally be difficult, so please be gentle with your heart while flipping through these pages was in order. So in the spirit of transparency, I offer you this insider tip: The book you're holding? It's basically one long-ass trigger."
As I read, I empathized with many of Baker's experiences, and felt nothing but compassion and respect for her as she just opened her heart and
poured it into her writing. I teared up many times, but she always saved me from full out crying with a well timed joke, comment, or footnote. But before you go thinking the book is entirely heartbreaking, I will add that there are so many clever retorts and fantastic information that can be applied to your own personal situations. Gems that I flagged include:
"My jean size doesn't have anything to do with my value as a human." (pg 46)
""Never forget that you're the love of my life, okay?" he said as he kissed my forehead. I nodded and continued to hug him while he put in earplugs, because no matter how sexy I may be, I snore like a motherfucker." (pg 135)
"There is power in taking up space. There is power in challenging social norms. There is power in being fat and daring to exist. Every day I live my life, I'm winning." (pg 223)
Image result for landwhale book signing
(Photo Credit: Jes Baker, Google Images)
I also laughed and cheered when it came to learning more about the book's title and how Baker changed the insulting names back to their original meaning, or even acceptably cute nicknames! As a fellow fatty, I too have been called a myriad of insulting names that for the most part I let roll off me, but there have been a handful of situations where I felt completely demolished by hurt and shame. Now, I can look at some of those situations (that have stuck with me, and probably will for a long time) and see that the person flinging the insults is someone with their own insecurities who found an easy target to take their frustrations out upon. It's still not okay, but having someone give you the tools and the ability to get perspective on those situations holds a lot a value, in my opinion.
Within Landwhale, Baker lists at least a half dozen body image role models (that I promptly searched for & followed on Instagram), countless pointers on how to shut down the "have you tried dieting?" conversation, and a dozen pros (and cons) to loving your body. It's 253 pages of raw emotion and advice, and I strongly suggest you buy yourself a copy this instant.
megangustafson's review against another edition
4.0
This book is an amazing read that shed's light on the rampant fat phobia in our society.
grubnubble's review
4.0
The last half of this book was a lot easier for me to read than the first half and I think, like other reviewers have said, it has a lot to do with Jes’s self deprecation. The messages in the later chapters are nuanced and wonderful and important. The earlier stories are peppered with discomfiting self-oriented critiques.
To agree once again with other reviewers, this bitch needed an editor. Most of the book comes off as a second draft. So much of that self deprecation could have been coaxed out with good editing. However, I do think that the seeming lack of editing allowed for more vulnerability to shine through and I did feel like I got some glimpses behind the scenes that I found validating and empowering. But with *really* good editing I think it would’ve been possible to have a more coherent narrative that also included those glimpses behind the scenes and that’s what I wanted this book to be.
To agree once again with other reviewers, this bitch needed an editor. Most of the book comes off as a second draft. So much of that self deprecation could have been coaxed out with good editing. However, I do think that the seeming lack of editing allowed for more vulnerability to shine through and I did feel like I got some glimpses behind the scenes that I found validating and empowering. But with *really* good editing I think it would’ve been possible to have a more coherent narrative that also included those glimpses behind the scenes and that’s what I wanted this book to be.
berad89's review against another edition
3.0
Landwhale by Jes Baker is about her struggle to learn to accept her body as it is and love it. She challenges the norms of skinny equals healthy and Diet Culture. She preaches learning to love yourself because you are you and all you get.
The full title of this book is Landwhale: On Turning Insults into Nicknames, Why Body Image is Hard, and How Diets Can Kiss My Ass. I love the message this book sends. Be yourself, love yourself, don't let anyone stick you in a box, challenge the norms, and don't let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do. It is a much needed message in today's society where normal women often are not portrayed. I also love Jes pointing out that skinny does not necessarily mean healthy. As someone who was once a stick, I feel a lot better now having gained 40 pounds than I ever did at a size 0.
While I love the message this book sends, its set up is random and rambling at points. The constant postscripts felt like a horrible Easter egg hunt. Reading this book on a Kindle was difficult as the format did not match up to the postscripts, and I had to hunt them down. Once I found them, they were often times a page long themselves. Please just add it to the story itself if you feel it is necessary.
Landwhale by Jes baker will be published May 8, 2018. It is a memoir/self help book. The publisher is Persus Books, Da Capo Press.
I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. I love the message but did not like the set up. It was frustrating. I recommend this book to anyone with body image issues.
I want to thank NetGalley and Persus Books, Da Capo Press for giving me a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest review.
The full title of this book is Landwhale: On Turning Insults into Nicknames, Why Body Image is Hard, and How Diets Can Kiss My Ass. I love the message this book sends. Be yourself, love yourself, don't let anyone stick you in a box, challenge the norms, and don't let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do. It is a much needed message in today's society where normal women often are not portrayed. I also love Jes pointing out that skinny does not necessarily mean healthy. As someone who was once a stick, I feel a lot better now having gained 40 pounds than I ever did at a size 0.
While I love the message this book sends, its set up is random and rambling at points. The constant postscripts felt like a horrible Easter egg hunt. Reading this book on a Kindle was difficult as the format did not match up to the postscripts, and I had to hunt them down. Once I found them, they were often times a page long themselves. Please just add it to the story itself if you feel it is necessary.
Landwhale by Jes baker will be published May 8, 2018. It is a memoir/self help book. The publisher is Persus Books, Da Capo Press.
I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. I love the message but did not like the set up. It was frustrating. I recommend this book to anyone with body image issues.
I want to thank NetGalley and Persus Books, Da Capo Press for giving me a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest review.
cocoanut7's review against another edition
3.0
Good read and inspirational for anyone working through body image. I was a little bummed out by her life as a Mormon. I recognize everyone has different experiences in the religion, but some of the statements felt like an unfair depiction. I don’t want to invalidate her experience, but I wish it wasn’t as broad and dismissive of my view. That aside, it was still a funny and delightful read.
happy_reading_heather's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
caaaaaaaaaaassie's review against another edition
5.0
I’m not sure why, but I responded so much more to Jes Baker’s second book. Maybe since it was written more as a memoir, the points made hit more of an emotional punch. I pulled so many quotes from this book to put on post-it notes around my room as reminders.