Carolyn Mackler

Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

Jeannette Ordas

One of those " I wish there was a book like this when I was in high school" books. Pretty inspiring and rah rah rah.

Candyce Kirk

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things is a book I still don't what to think about and it's been over a week since I finished it. This book has a lot of good things about it, but there are also some things I find really problematic. 

I'll start out with the problematic sides of this story, so I can hopefully end this review on a higher not than when starting it. Virginia's parents are just awful! Her mother is an adolescent psychologist, but the way she treats her daughter seems like she really has no clue what she's doing. Her weight is the only important thing. Virginia gets praised for hanging skinny models on the fridge, but not for the amazing grades she gets at school. Her father buys her a mirror when she decides to start dieting and makes a lot of remarks about her weight and body. Near the end Virginia starts standing up for herself, but it doesn't feel like anything got resolved. That was just a big train wreck.

There is also mention of date rape in this story and nothing is really done about it. The family doesn't want to speak about it and it's not called what it should be. It's also something with no consequences. He goes back to school at the end of the book like nothing happens (except him not being able to be on a debate team or going to Paris). I was really bothered by this!

Then there's Virginia. In the beginning of the book she says some really awful things about herself. She clearly has an eating disorder (as well as her mother) and nothing is really dealt with. All she thinks is that her parents would like her more if she lost some weight. There's even a whole list of things she has about "fat girls". What they can and can't do. It was really hard to read. When she visits her doctor to talk about weight loss, I liked him. I really wish things he addresses played a bigger part in this story.

Okay, I know that's a lot of negative, but I did like Virginia (well certain aspects). She's funny and very smart. I loved seeing her getting stronger in this book and standing up for herself. It's clear she sucks up a lot while being at home and it's really not fair. The weekend she spends with her best friend was a lot of fun to read. I also loved her finding something she loved at the end and really be passionate about. I'm hoping we see this continue in the next book.

Jelke Lenaerts

TW: rape, fatphobia, self harm, anorexia and boulimia

I didn’t really like this one that much. It all felt very cliché and told so many times before. Also the big turn around moment came out of nowhere and happened so quickly. The only plus this book has is that it’s quick and easy to read.

Jordan Robinson

I really didn't want this book to end. I love Virginia and Froggy so much. Ugh, if you haven't read this book, YOU NEED TOO.

Geneviève Rouleau

I really didn't expect to love this book so much. Definitely binge worthy, and it came into my life at such a perfect moment. Wow.

And btw, I love how the author wrote this book over a decade ago but republished and updated it into a more modern version in 2018. This kind of book (body image / tumultuous parents-daughter relationships / non consensual advances) never goes out of style. Which is actually pretty damn painful.

Valerio Costa

Elspeth calcraft

Anna Bold

Ana Hein

Devansh Patil

devin.reads

Rikki Doppler

Kristina Sanders

Tysh

Stephanie Redcrow

Katelyn Broad

Marlee

Becky

Zhenya Zhelyazkova 

Feeling like she does not fit in with the other members of her family, who are all thin, brilliant, and good-looking, fifteen-year-old Virginia tries to deal with her self-image, her first physical relationship, and her disillusionment with some of the people closest to her.

Erin Pitstra

Mary Graham

Lisa Miller

Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

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