So on my “un-post” the other day when I was feeling quite uninspired, I asked you what kind of subjects and posts you’d like to see. I got some good suggestions (and if you have some more, please feel free to leave them) and I’ll start to have a go at some of them soon.
I thought that since Paponda suggested Marilyn Wann’s “Fat! So?” to a new visitor to my blog, and I’ve not long finished reading it, I might give a bit of a mini review so that those of you who have yet to read it might feel inspired to do so.
I actually had a bit of trouble getting a copy of the book, because it’s a few years old now and my library service deemed it too old to add to the collection, and I couldn’t find it locally. So I turned to The Book Depository and ordered a copy from there.
It’s taken me longer than it would normally take to read a book, mostly because life has been so chock full over the past few months, but I managed to finish it a few days ago and closed the book very happy that I’d read it. I love the friendly, matter-of-fact tone, the anecdotes from fatties of all kinds, the little illustrations peppered throughout the book (I’ve picked one that I’d like to get tattooed on me one day in the future), and the poetry that pops up from time to time.
There is a lot of practical advice, from how to deal with medical professionals, family and strangers on the street, to how to find clothes and to rock them with confidence, how to face the dating world as a flabulous fatty, and how to negotiate your way through situations that generally just crop up for we fats that non-fats don’t really have to deal with.
One of my favourite things about the book is that at the bottom of each page there is a little tidbit of advice for the reader on a whole myriad of subjects relating to fat. Plus in the top, right hand corner, there is one of those little flick cartoons of a very cute fat lady (the same as on the cover) dancing.
Plus the whole book is served up with a delicious sense of humour and fun, that makes it a breeze to read.
Fat Heffalump 
I just ordered this for myself! I figured if I had to order a textbook just under the free shipping limit I might as well buy something I actually want. :p And I’ve been eying this book for quite some time.
You will love it Barbara, I am sure.
I love this book, so much I brought it to one of my women’s studies classes and everyone in the class was in love with it too. I think it is a really good introduction to fat rights.
I need to ask a friend of mine who has lectured in women’s studies if she has a copy. She’s never mentioned it (and we talk fat quite a bit) so it makes me wonder.
Oh! This book! I adore it and Ms. Wann! She came to my cafe one day and signed my copy! I nearly died. She is the sweetest and funniest lady. I’m so fortunate to have her close by! Wishing everyone could get a copy of it. Mine is certainly a prized possession. Now if I could just get all of my fat books autographed!
She’s an adorable woman, that’s for sure. I am intending to organise a fat up when I am in SF in November, I hope both you and Marilyn will come along.
I LOVE this book, it was the very 1st in my ever-growing collection of books on fat acceptance and body image, and still one of my most favorite. She’s just the right combination of fierce and funny, and the Venus of Willendorf paper doll is genius.
I never knew about the dancing fat girl flipbook, thanks for pointing that out!
elizabeth, it proudly sits beside yours on my bookshelf now!
I now have 2 Venus of Willendorf necklaces that remind me of the Fat!So? attitude. I love them.
I think I need some more Venus of Willendorf in my life.