chasingholden's review
5.0
Queer Body Power is an invitation to explore the beauty and individuality of our bodies and gives a raw, reflective look on the truths behind how society has viewed the bodies that have been 'othered' - disabled bodies, fat bodies, bodies that don't fit into their ideas of gender. With powerful commentary on not only Queerness and Queer bodies, but how these issues can overlap and seep into other areas of our lives from healthcare, eating habits, relationships and our own mental health and self-worth.
With great talent Dennis has given us a well written, thoughtful, easy going and informative book that makes the reader feel both comfortable and "seen", possibly for the first time surrounding such topics . The layout of the book was carefully chosen to allow readers to follow along easily and thoughtfully.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Whether you yourself identify as queer, or know someone who does, this book is an absolute gift and a wonderful well of knowledge sure to become an instant sensation!
Thank you to netgalley for providing an e-copy for me to read and leave my honest opinion with all of you. This book has done a lot for me and I hope that everyone who needs this picks it up as soon as possible.
With great talent Dennis has given us a well written, thoughtful, easy going and informative book that makes the reader feel both comfortable and "seen", possibly for the first time surrounding such topics . The layout of the book was carefully chosen to allow readers to follow along easily and thoughtfully.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Whether you yourself identify as queer, or know someone who does, this book is an absolute gift and a wonderful well of knowledge sure to become an instant sensation!
Thank you to netgalley for providing an e-copy for me to read and leave my honest opinion with all of you. This book has done a lot for me and I hope that everyone who needs this picks it up as soon as possible.
ex_libris_volantes's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
To anyone who has struggled to meet themself where they are and finally learn to accept and grow to love the body they are in, but are sick of empty platitudes like “just stop thinking that way…” or “compliment yourself even if you don’t believe it, or “it gets better…” but no direction, this book fills the void. This isn’t just meaningless platitudes (even if a few of those show up every once in a while) because it backs it all up with the real lived experience of many diverse bodies and voices to learn from. And the author speaks to the reader in an encouraging way that most other self-help style books don’t get. She meets you where you are at, gives examples along the way that really make sense and apply to the queer, gender and sexual binary defying, and disabled experience. I found myself actually able to absorb he lessons because this isn’t someone speaking down to you from some perceived place of “I beat it, so you should be able to, too…” this is a friend and support person meeting you with open arms and saying ME TOO, and LET’S BECOME BETTER TOGETHER.
blackcatkai's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
CW: homophobia, transphobia, fatphobia, body shaming, antisemitism, ableism, racism, classism, sexism
wastedwings's review
5.0
"We deserve to feel a sense of comfort in our bodies but also a sense of fire, a sense of rebellion in who we are and what we've been through. We are much more than the number on a scale or a piece of fabric. We are much more than what was assumed of us at birth. We are much more because we change and grow. There is no joy or usefulness in our bodies staying the same forever, and we cannot hold ourselves to impossible standards or the whims and desires of others."
This book was the best book I've read all year. Finished it in a day via the audio book edition. I'd recommend this to anyone and everyone.
This book was the best book I've read all year. Finished it in a day via the audio book edition. I'd recommend this to anyone and everyone.
jenna_smuszkiewicz's review
fast-paced
4.0
I did read this book in one day by audiobook. It was nice to hear about body positivity from a very queer perspective. You learn a lot about the author's personal experiences and they provide some nice advice at the end of some of the chapters.
dani_1405's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
As a queer fat person this was an oddly comforting book. It reinforced a lot of the ideals and attitudes I have surrounding body image which made me glad as it made me feel like I have a healthier relationship with body image than I think I do. I also felt seen within these pages, the conversations of being sexualised from a young age purely because you're feminine presenting and talking about the difficulties of gender expression when your plus size and not necessarily having access to the clothing that would give you gender euphoria were conversations that I really related to. I also really appreciated the intersectionality of the conversation as Essie Dennis spoke to an array of people from all different backgrounds, sexualities, gender identities etc, so there were conversations about the relationship between sexuality, body image and race, disability, anti-semitism and more. This would also serve as a great place to start if you want to explore body image and queerness as topics more.