February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month, when we all make an effort to improve our understanding of the disorders that affect about 8 million people in the us. uu. Eating disorders range from anorexia to bulimia to binge eating, and are surrounded by stigmas and misconceptions that can be very damaging to those who suffer from them. And what better way to educate ourselves than by reading a book on the subject?
It is important to remember that not everyone will experience an eating disorder in the same way. These are just eight examples, and eating disorders can take many forms and affect people of all ages, sizes, and genders. therefore, these books will never feel perfectly accurate for everyone, but many bloggers and reviewers with their own eating disorders have mentioned finding solace in these eight books in particular.
You are reading: Fictional books about eating disorders
so, if you’re having trouble understanding what a loved one is going through, or if you’re looking for the reassurance of seeing yourself reflected on the page, then these books may offer a ray of hope (but be aware first if you’ll find these depictions triggers). If you think you’re up for it, these accurate depictions of eating disorders may help you clear things up or even help you understand your own emotions.
1. winter girls by laurie halse anderson
ya novel wintergirls addresses the problem of competitive eating disorders, a particularly dangerous type of peer pressure. At the beginning of the book, Lia’s best friend Cassie, who suffered from bulimia, has been found dead, and Lia must battle her anorexia with the added guilt of her friend’s death. Halse Anderson explores in fascinating detail how Lia views food and her body differently compared to those without her disorder.
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2. elena disappearing by elena and clare b. mate
elena disappears was written by a mother-daughter team as a way to deal with the daughter’s anorexia. Told entirely from Elena’s perspective over a five-year period, and with the help of Elena’s award-winning author, mother Clare, it offers an intimate look at the anxiety that plagues her.
See Also: 24 Christmas Books for Preschoolers • The Simple Parent
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3. just listen by sarah dessen
It is narrated from the perspective of the sister of someone with an eating disorder. is an honest look at how difficult it can be to understand what your loved ones are going through and the damaging effects an eating disorder can have on the entire family.
See Also: The Bridgerton Books Vs. TV Show
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4.identical by ellen hopkins
identical by ellen hopkins is a pretty exhausting book, to be honest. It tackles a wide range of issues, from sexual abuse to self-harm, and the protagonist’s eating disorder is just one part of her mental health struggle, wrapped up in her dissociative identity disorder. Eating disorders can exist on their own, but books like identical help point out what other symptoms to look for, in case erectile dysfunction is part of a larger problem.
See Also: The Bridgerton Books Vs. TV Show
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5. skinnyby ibi kaslik
Skinny alternates between the perspectives of two sisters, one of whom, Giselle, is struggling with anorexia. As the novel takes you inside Giselle’s head, it provides a disturbing insight into the mental battles that can ensnare people with this disorder.
See Also: 24 Christmas Books for Preschoolers • The Simple Parent
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6. stick figureof lori gottlieb
lori gottlieb’s memoir examines the profound influence culture can have on a person’s relationship with their body. For Gottlieb, the culture she absorbed growing up in Beverly Hills in the 1970s left her hospitalized with an eating disorder. gottlieb’s diary is honest and funny; Although her eating disorder was debilitating, she does not allow it to take away her personality or her sense of humor.
See Also: 24 Christmas Books for Preschoolers • The Simple Parent
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7. unbearable lightness by portia de rossi
Proof that fame, fortune and fans can’t protect you against mental health disorders, Portia de Rossi battled anorexia as her Hollywood career soared. A perfect read for those overwhelmed by an eating disorder of their own, de Rossi’s memoir is full of optimism and hope.
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8. tips of brandy colbert
theo is recovering from anorexia and his life is almost back to normal, until a friend from the past awakens traumatic secrets that theo has been hiding. Brandy Colbert expertly weaves together themes of mental illness, eating disorders, and relationships with the story of a young black woman, who is a minority in the dance world who is passionate about being a part of it. the complexity of how they all come together is fascinating and illuminating.
See Also: 24 Christmas Books for Preschoolers • The Simple Parent
click here to buy.
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