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chelse34's review against another edition
3.0
Read this for the Bloody Buddy's Instagram book club.
This is basically another version of "More than a Body," but this one is targeted to people of color and fat people. The general message of the book I liked, but I disagreed with some things she said.
She defined racism as "the idea that white people are better than all other races." I disagree. I think racism is if a person of ANY race thinks they are better than another BECAUSE of their race. An Asian could be racist against a black person and vice versa.
She also talked about fatphobia and how people should be able to wear and eat what they want, etc. While I agree with that, she didn't seem to put any emphasis on health. Yes, eat what you want, but keep in mind that health can be an issue with your diet REGARDLESS of what you weigh. She seemed to preach eat whatever and however much you want - don't be afraid to be fat. She forgot to mention, "But beware of killing your arteries and becoming diabetic with this method... Future death ahead if diet isn't somewhat in check." Weight/body size doesn't equal health. So whether skinny or fat, she didn't seem to mention eating based on what our body needs/intuitive eating. Wished she would have a bit.
In short, ignore this book and just go read "More than a Body" instead.
This is basically another version of "More than a Body," but this one is targeted to people of color and fat people. The general message of the book I liked, but I disagreed with some things she said.
She defined racism as "the idea that white people are better than all other races." I disagree. I think racism is if a person of ANY race thinks they are better than another BECAUSE of their race. An Asian could be racist against a black person and vice versa.
She also talked about fatphobia and how people should be able to wear and eat what they want, etc. While I agree with that, she didn't seem to put any emphasis on health. Yes, eat what you want, but keep in mind that health can be an issue with your diet REGARDLESS of what you weigh. She seemed to preach eat whatever and however much you want - don't be afraid to be fat. She forgot to mention, "But beware of killing your arteries and becoming diabetic with this method... Future death ahead if diet isn't somewhat in check." Weight/body size doesn't equal health. So whether skinny or fat, she didn't seem to mention eating based on what our body needs/intuitive eating. Wished she would have a bit.
In short, ignore this book and just go read "More than a Body" instead.
bridging's review against another edition
5.0
Good to read, and a great book for young girls, say middle-school aged.
nia1231's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
super_fun_time_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Great book for teens! As an adult reader, i was transported back to my youth and couldn't help but wonder how useful hearing these messages of self-acceptance and celebration would have been. Specifically comments on non-white young women and the deconstructs the harmful messages white-marketing has on them. Wonderfully done. Virgie Tovar has a friendly voice and strong message. Get out your yellow umbrellas, and shine on ladies! <3
glassesgirl79's review against another edition
5.0
Although “The Self-Love Revolution” is a book whose target audience are teen girls of color, I feel that the Tovar’s words can also heavily resonate with women of color as well.
“The Self-Love Revolution” is a part of a book series called “Instant Help Solutions” and is written especially for teens and offers practical tips and strategies for dealing with a variety of mental health issues and life challenges.
The book consists of an introduction, sixteen chapters divided into three parts, and an conclusion. The main purpose of this book is to acknowledge that teen girls of color not only have to face the pressure look a certain way by the dominant white culture standards but they also expected to look a certain way based on their culture’s standards as well as learned to stand up against racism, sexism, and fatphobia.
In the introduction, the author starts her book with a letter to the reader in which she expresses how girls have been taught to be afraid of their bodies instead of taking ownership of their bodies. Tovar also uses her introduction to briefly discuss body justice and introduce herself to the reader. At the end of the introduction, she introduces the concept of radical body positivity and informs the reader that the best way to practice this is by getting to know yourself through journal exercises at the end of each chapter.
In part one: our messy world, Tovar discusses beauty standards, fatphobia, racism, food obsession, and diet culture. In the first part of the book, Tovar compares the different definitions and standards of beauty on a global level. In addition, in the first part of the book, Tovar shows the reader how fataphobia and racism affects body image as well the perception of one’s body.
In part two: thoughts on common body confusions, Tovar seeks to answer questions teen girls of color have such as why is my family always talking about my body, why isn’t confidence enough, what do I say to trolls, and how do I live myself?
In part three: be you, not what someone else thinks you should be, Tovar encourages the reader to embrace their body as it currently is because it does amazing things everyday. In this last part of the book, she also empowers the reader to say no at least once a day, never skip meals, take every hour spent criticizing your body and do something else that’s amazing, find genuine allies, and wear what you want.
The book concludes with Tovar congratulating the reader for finishing the book. In addition, Tovar reminds the reader that this is not an ordinary book but is meant to be a guide to start a revolution. Through “The Self-Love Revolution” Tovar provides a path to help girls of color navigate through a culture meant to destroy them. By providing an new vocabulary as well as examples from her own life, Tovar hopes that those reading this book have a moment of self realization and learn to fully embrace that they are amazing, unique, and have the power to change the world.
I love this book because it’s a book I wish I had when I was a teenager. Tovar’s words really resonated with because I too know how it feels to be the only or one of few people of color in a situation. I too know what it’s like to not feel attractive or worthy because I didn’t look like the people of TV or movies. As I wrote as the beginning of this review, although this book is geared towards teen girls of color, I feel that women of color could greatly benefit from Tovar’s words as well since I believe that some women are not living as the best versions of themselves because of hurt they experienced during their childhood and teenage years.
“The Self-Love Revolution” is a part of a book series called “Instant Help Solutions” and is written especially for teens and offers practical tips and strategies for dealing with a variety of mental health issues and life challenges.
The book consists of an introduction, sixteen chapters divided into three parts, and an conclusion. The main purpose of this book is to acknowledge that teen girls of color not only have to face the pressure look a certain way by the dominant white culture standards but they also expected to look a certain way based on their culture’s standards as well as learned to stand up against racism, sexism, and fatphobia.
In the introduction, the author starts her book with a letter to the reader in which she expresses how girls have been taught to be afraid of their bodies instead of taking ownership of their bodies. Tovar also uses her introduction to briefly discuss body justice and introduce herself to the reader. At the end of the introduction, she introduces the concept of radical body positivity and informs the reader that the best way to practice this is by getting to know yourself through journal exercises at the end of each chapter.
In part one: our messy world, Tovar discusses beauty standards, fatphobia, racism, food obsession, and diet culture. In the first part of the book, Tovar compares the different definitions and standards of beauty on a global level. In addition, in the first part of the book, Tovar shows the reader how fataphobia and racism affects body image as well the perception of one’s body.
In part two: thoughts on common body confusions, Tovar seeks to answer questions teen girls of color have such as why is my family always talking about my body, why isn’t confidence enough, what do I say to trolls, and how do I live myself?
In part three: be you, not what someone else thinks you should be, Tovar encourages the reader to embrace their body as it currently is because it does amazing things everyday. In this last part of the book, she also empowers the reader to say no at least once a day, never skip meals, take every hour spent criticizing your body and do something else that’s amazing, find genuine allies, and wear what you want.
The book concludes with Tovar congratulating the reader for finishing the book. In addition, Tovar reminds the reader that this is not an ordinary book but is meant to be a guide to start a revolution. Through “The Self-Love Revolution” Tovar provides a path to help girls of color navigate through a culture meant to destroy them. By providing an new vocabulary as well as examples from her own life, Tovar hopes that those reading this book have a moment of self realization and learn to fully embrace that they are amazing, unique, and have the power to change the world.
I love this book because it’s a book I wish I had when I was a teenager. Tovar’s words really resonated with because I too know how it feels to be the only or one of few people of color in a situation. I too know what it’s like to not feel attractive or worthy because I didn’t look like the people of TV or movies. As I wrote as the beginning of this review, although this book is geared towards teen girls of color, I feel that women of color could greatly benefit from Tovar’s words as well since I believe that some women are not living as the best versions of themselves because of hurt they experienced during their childhood and teenage years.
amiefiremoon's review against another edition
5.0
I received an advanced copy of The Self-Love Revolution from NetGalley for an honest review.
It is an important book for young women (and young men) to read. Topics range from fat phobia, racism, eating disorders and diet culture, marketing toward women in mass media, how to handle trolls on social media, and more. It is a book that will teach young people how to better navigate their normal body issues in the world we live in that is so focused on superficial, quick impressions and instant feedback. I encourage parents to gift this book to their teens to let them know that what they feel is normal.
It is an important book for young women (and young men) to read. Topics range from fat phobia, racism, eating disorders and diet culture, marketing toward women in mass media, how to handle trolls on social media, and more. It is a book that will teach young people how to better navigate their normal body issues in the world we live in that is so focused on superficial, quick impressions and instant feedback. I encourage parents to gift this book to their teens to let them know that what they feel is normal.
sinamile's review against another edition
5.0
ARC Review: Received for free via Netgalley for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
CW/TW: fatmisia
I think this book is important, especially for your readers. It's one of those books that I wish I had when I was growing up but am glad is existing now. Even as we learn to love the bodies we're in, there is still so much to learn, and books like this one will for sure help us get where we need to!
CW/TW: fatmisia
I think this book is important, especially for your readers. It's one of those books that I wish I had when I was growing up but am glad is existing now. Even as we learn to love the bodies we're in, there is still so much to learn, and books like this one will for sure help us get where we need to!
Hard truth: love that is conditional on how you look isn’t love at all. It’s a form of manipulation, control, and abuse. These things hurt us.
Beauty standards weren’t designed to benefit girls or women— they were designed to control us
Does this cultural idea benefit me and the people I care about?
Nope.
sinamile's review
5.0
ARC Review: Received for free via Netgalley for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
CW/TW: fatmisia
I think this book is important, especially for your readers. It's one of those books that I wish I had when I was growing up but am glad is existing now. Even as we learn to love the bodies we're in, there is still so much to learn, and books like this one will for sure help us get where we need to!
CW/TW: fatmisia
I think this book is important, especially for your readers. It's one of those books that I wish I had when I was growing up but am glad is existing now. Even as we learn to love the bodies we're in, there is still so much to learn, and books like this one will for sure help us get where we need to!
Hard truth: love that is conditional on how you look isn’t love at all. It’s a form of manipulation, control, and abuse. These things hurt us.
Beauty standards weren’t designed to benefit girls or women— they were designed to control us
Does this cultural idea benefit me and the people I care about?
Nope.
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