grief – Reading While Fat

The Measure

My book club chose The Measure (2022) by Nikki Erlick for our October 2025 read, and we had a great discussion! The premise is that one day, everyone who is older than 22 receives a box at their front door (later, you receive a box when you turn 22). On the box is an inscriptionContinue reading “The Measure”

And Then, BOOM!

In 2022, I read and reviewed Lisa Fipps’ award-winning first book, Starfish, a fat-positive middle-grade novel-in-verse, so I was happy to find out that she published a second middle-grade novel-in-verse in 2024, And Then, BOOM! And Then, BOOM! tells the story of Joe Oak, a tween who lives with his grandmother, because his Mom oftenContinue reading “And Then, BOOM!”

Firekeeper’s Daughter, Warrior Girl Unearthed, and Sisters in the Wind

Book cover for Warrior Girl Unearthed, by Angeline Boulley, featuring an orange background and the face of a dark-skinned, dark-haired woman in the center, with the background of another face silhouetted behind her. A glowing bear and an otter are just below, and the phases of the moon are above.

So I read Warrior Girl Unearthed (2023) by Angeline Boulley in September, and immediately had to read Boulley’s first book Firekeeper’s Daughter (2021, Goodreads Choice Award for YA), and was thrilled to find out she’s just published a third book, Sisters in the Wind (September 2, 2025), which I also devoured. They are each amazingContinue reading “Firekeeper’s Daughter, Warrior Girl Unearthed, and Sisters in the Wind”

ZomRomCom

I preorder anything Olivia Dade publishes, and ZomRomCom (August 2025) was no exception. It was great fat-positive fun, full of action from the very beginning! Edie lives within the Containment Zone close to the Compound where zombies are supposed to be corralled after a breach nearly two decades ago. She won’t leave because her parentsContinue reading “ZomRomCom”

The Dogs of Venice

I was a big fan of The Guncle and The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley, so when I saw his The Dogs of Venice (print publication day October 14, 2025) available on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. As the story opens, Paul finds out that his marriage is over but they had scheduled a tripContinue reading “The Dogs of Venice”

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway

Set amidst the summer of a newly-upgraded Renaissance Faire, Ashley Shumacher’s young adult romance The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway (2023) is a sweet story of Madeline, a fat girl dealing with grief after the loss of her mother and her reluctant falling for a bespectacled, lute-playing boy, Arthur. Arthur’s dads have recently bought the park,Continue reading “The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway”

The Many Mothers of Dolores Moore

I really loved The Many Mothers of Dolores Moore (publication day September 16, 2025), Anika Fajardo’s debut novel! Though the theme of grief after losing one’s last living parent was difficult, I loved how Fajardo used magical realism with Dorrie’s ancestors a constant chorus in her head, the interludes about mapmaking, and chapters from theContinue reading “The Many Mothers of Dolores Moore”

The Macabre

I don’t typically gravitate towards fantasy with a strong horror component as a genre, but I really enjoyed the last book by Kosoko Jackson that I read (a queer romance), so I had to request The Macabre (publication day September 9, 2025) from NetGalley. He’s published at least half a dozen books already, so thereContinue reading “The Macabre”

All My Mother’s Lovers

I thought so highly of All My Mother’s Lovers (2020) by Ilana Masad that I recommended it to my book group, so was a bit disappointed when their reviews were much more mixed. It did spark a lengthy discussion, though. As the book opens. Maggie, a queer twentysomething, finds out that her mother, Iris, hasContinue reading “All My Mother’s Lovers”

The Rebel Girls of Rome

It took me a little bit to get into The Rebel Girls of Rome (publication day July 8, 2025) by Jordyn Taylor, but once I did, I was hooked. Going back and forth in time in the present-day, from the perspective of Lilah who is visiting Rome with her grandfather Ralph (Raffaele), and in 1943,Continue reading “The Rebel Girls of Rome”