The Fat Girl's Guide to Life

"I swore to myself once that I wouldn't read this book. I refused.

But I was having an awful day, and it was cheap at the bookstore, so I picked it up as a nice respite from all the modernist stuff I was having to read for coursework. And I was pleasantly surprised.

Shanker is amusing, and she is earnest: these are the good things. And she tells her story with a kind of no-holds-barred style which is both brutally honest and incredibly touching, and yet somehow also hilarious.

The only thing that bothers me is that the "information" side of the book didn't tell me anything a 5 minute google search about the same subject wouldn't. On the plus side (no pun intended), this information is at best unknown, at least in the UK, and one more voice reminding us that BMI means next to nothing and that the most important thing is to be mentally and traditionally (blood pressure/cholesterol/etc) healthy is always a good thing. "
~ Written on 2007-05-20

"I was slightly sceptical about this book..but i must say it was so well written. It had a good balance of well researched information, and personal stories as well as just plain old good advice. I am currently dieting, and for the first time in my life successfully, but after reading this book i've decided a whole new approach to it.

When reading this book you'll see yourself, and every diet/weight related thought you ever had and realise you are not unique and she will put things into perspective for you. One thing i have learnt from the author is that as long as you are happy and confident, ignore what everyone else thinks. Stop dieting for everyone elses sake!!"
~ Written on 2006-10-12

"Brilliant - if you ever have one of those days that all you want to do is fall into a big black whole because of the way you look this is the book for you. even know i am tring to lose weight at the momment this book put a smile on my face everytime i read it,(it makes you look at the world in a very different way) i just couldn't put it down but i didn't want it to end. I am glad that i got this book and i wish i could redecover it again!! All my friends have now got a copy. Would love to read one of wendy's book again. A++. "
~ Written on 2006-09-25

"I loved this book! It's really for anyone--I'm 123 pounds, but could really relate to the points in this book. It's about not beating yourself up after eating 'bad' foods, learning to accept your body the way it is, and the importance of excercising versus trying to be as thin as you can. It was a hysterical read and I couldn't put it down."
~ Written on 2006-07-28

"Wendy's book is generally a breezy read with a fair amount to skim over, being fairly specific to her, but one or two things which stick in the mind and have encouraged me ever since. One was the concept "I'm fairly sure that Gwyneth Paltrow hasn't compared herself to me today so I'm not going to compare myself to her...". Also, the realisation that at my funeral, anyone who thinks "What a pity she never got into those Size 14 jeans" rather than what a great mate I was can go and shove their heads up their own fundament. Having lived through decades of being told that I ought to cover up anything which continues to wobble when I stop moving, I now feel more encouraged to fling inhibition to the wind, wear tailored (big) clothes and celebrate rather than denigrate the curves. Worth a read."
~ Written on 2006-02-21