Jes is such a good writer. You feel that she befriends you and then bares her history for you. This memoir is honest and brave. There is a lot of painful stuff here, but it is an important entry into the discussion of the lived fat experience and the ways that society / social relationships impact our experience of our own bodies. But at its core, this is a deeply personal memoir that takes the reader on a journey through eye-opening empathy and learning more about Jes's experiences.

I enjoyed this book. The author writes humourously but speaks some truths that apply to everyone of every shape. Good read,

I rarely laugh out loud while reading but Jes has an amazing and genuine way of writing and I found myself doubled over screaming with laughter. Additionally though, and maybe more importantly, I found her overwhelmingly honest words encourage me to work on crap that had been sitting dormant for almost 11 years.

It's hard to truly call Landwhale by Jes Baker a memoir- it's a bit of a hodge podge of her life and stories mixed with essays on body love, fat acceptance, and the body positive movement, with a healthy dose of self-help. But I'm not saying that's a bad thing. It made the book a good bit more digestible than most memoirs and definitely was something that I found I was able to relate easily to.

I've followed Jes on social media and through her blog posts for years so I was really excited for the chance to snag an early copy of this book. And it definitely did not disappoint. Her quick wit and unique view of the world were ever present and while I may not agree with every thought she has- I'm certainly on-board the self love train.

Body acceptance is something I have worked hard to achieve in my own life and her unapologetic approach t0 the subject left me feeling like I'd made a new friend who gets my journey. I would love to see more books like this published. We all deserve a voice.

Landwhale is subtitled: On turning insults into nicknames, why body image is hard and how diets can kiss my ass and is by Jes Baker. I wasn't sure about this book at first, but it turned out that I could totally relate to it and it was definitely something I needed to hear/read. The very beginning of the book is a huge trigger warning, and I can see why. However, if you are able to make it through the pages that follow (and I can totally understand if you can't, Jes herself even said she was often crying when she was writing some of the chapters) there is a lot of body positive information and resources but I think the most powerful thing from this book for me was realizing or reaffirming that I am not alone. There are many others unfortunately out there who feel the same way as Jes and I do. Another helpful piece of information was about how she learned to love herself after a breakup and while she may not love ALL of herself, she is working on that and I think that was another great lesson that everyone needs to learn.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated. This book was published May 8, 2018 from Perseus Books, Da Cap Press, Seal Press.

tl;dr Review:

A funny and honest memoir of learning to love who you are and overcoming the bullsh*t. 

Full Review:

As a writer and someone who struggles with her own body issues, reading Landwhale: On Turning Insults Into Nicknames, Why Body Image Is Hard, and How Diets Can Kiss My Ass by Jes Baker was like sitting down for drinks with a close friend.

While the publisher describes the book as follows, I didn't feel like it captured the warmth the book actually held.

Jes Baker burst onto the body positivity scene when she created her own ads mocking Abercrombie & Fitch for discriminating against all body types--a move that landed her on the Today Show and garnered a loyal following for her raw, honest, and attitude-filled blog missives. Building on the manifesta power of Things, this memoir goes deeply into Jes's inner life, from growing up a fat girl to dating while fat. With material that will have readers laughing and crying along with Jes's experience, this new book is a natural fit with her irreverent, open-book style. A deeply personal take, Landwhale is a glimpse at life as a fat woman today, but it's also a reflection of the unforgiving ways our culture still treats fatness, all with Jes's biting voice as the guide.

I loved her hilarious stories about blogging and related to them all too well. Her descriptions of her emotional trauma were poignant and touching, and her acceptance and f*** it attitude coming out the other end was empowering. 

Was it some deep, philosophical tome on the societal issues of shaming and policing women's bodies? No. 

But I wouldn't have wanted it to be. It was exactly what I needed at the time I read it - it made me laugh, it made me think, and it left me feeling good. And I wouldn't have wanted anything more.

I give it 4 out of 5 thumbs up.

Ummmm. I tried to like this book, but just couldn't connect. I understand, as an overweight woman myself, what Jes Baker was setting out to accomplish, but it just didn't appeal to me. Maybe I'll read it again in the future. But for now, no. It seemed like it would at least offer some laughs, but nothing. Nada. Sorry. I realize I am in a minority as she appears to have many followers who love her to pieces and will ultimately enjoy this book. maybe I need to know more about her? I seriously had never heard of her until this book.

When I originally tried to read this book I just couldn't get into it. I tried again and thought it was unfortunately a very honest account of what it's like to not have a body shape acceptable to society. However her writing style was still a bit of a challange for me.

Blogger Jes Baker may be familiar to readers and social media users that are already clued in to the body positivity movement. Over the years, Baker’s blog The Militant Baker: Lose the B-------, Liberate Your Body has featured vibrant, joyful photos of herself in bikinis, fitted dresses, shorts, and other clothes that the manners-free like to tell fat people not to wear.

Baker’s Mormon childhood and family life are complicated; while she has a loving, supportive relationship with her mother, the father she loves just as dearly projects his own conflicted feelings about weight when he repeatedly warns or scolds his daughter about being “lazy”. Fat=lazy in mainstream American culture, no matter how many jobs a working-or-middle-class person may be holding down. With those seeds of self-doubt sown early, Baker experiences depression and strained personal relationships, not to mention verbal abuse from complete, shouting strangers.

But the creative, empathetic love for life at the heart of Jes wins out. Baker’s evolving relationship, friendships, family communication, and nascent activism begin to bear fruit. Her blog readership grows, and eventually she’s sought after as a public speaker. The audience love isn’t universal, of course: she experiences vicious online harassment and public insults during the question-and-answer portions of her speaking engagements; she develops her own coping strategies. Baker blocks, talks back, and leaves the hateful, nameless commenters to their own echo chambers. Perhaps the trolls will someday understand that some poisons corrode the vessels they are stored in.

Approximately three-quarters into the book, Baker briefly refers to some writing/publishing advice she was given -- bloggers writing book manuscripts should avoid including previously published blog content. Wise advice, especially for aspiring authors who may themselves be polishing their writing craft in various online publication formats. However, its placement so late in the book felt a bit jarring, and may make the book feel somewhat dated years from now. It seems better suited to the introduction. Other aspects of the pacing and content are similarly awkward; although one understands that Baker believes in ethnic diversity and inclusion, women of color in the body positivity movement are mentioned late in the book. It would be interesting to read about how Baker’s Mormon childhood and young adulthood may have resulted in limited exposure to difference.

As a librarian, I’d recommend this to social sciences faculty, individual readers seeking engaging quick reads, and people unfamiliar with body positivity (both pro and con).

Very honest, very funny and I enjoyed the writer's take on life as a larger person. It doesn't define her but she doesn't shy away from her size and her thoughts on it. Great read.

I received an advance copy and I'm glad I did.

This book started as funny and light-hearted, but the it took a serious turn. What a read. You know a book is good when 1) you read slow to not get to the end and 2) when you get to the end you wish there was more. The author was open, honest and she showed her vulnerabilities. This author gives one something to think about if one allows themselves to. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

I thought this was a fantastic memoir! As a big girl myself, I admire the author for her honesty, guts and the message she was getting across. It was an awesome book that I would definitely recommend!

Being a "woman of size" , I can empathize with many of the issues Jes Baker describes in this book. While some reader's might feel uncomfortable with the language or topics discussed, it was an honest portrayal of the difficulties faced by individuals who do not fit the normal weight range.

Jes Baker definitely has a unique voice and an interesting story that many women can relate to.

The topic is very timely.

Part self help book, part biography - Landwhale by Jes Baker is a book about being yourself and dealing with internet trolls. It is a very open and honest book, funny and also relatable. No matter your size, you can find something in this book that will speak to you. Her message is of being body positive and accepting who you are; and reclaiming the insults thrown at you.

So whatever your beach body looks like, enjoy!

Jes Baker has written a very moving book about her life and struggles with accepting her body. Her experiences of fat-shaming were painful and difficult to overcome. Society is a long, long way from accepting all body types. That being said, Ms Barker retains an effervescent sparkle which comes across in a delightful manner. Humour always helps.
I had bariatric surgery 14 years ago and have maintained a 100lb weight loss. The difference in how the outer world (not friends and family who have always been supportive) treats me is like night and day. There is so much fat ignorance out there, including the medical profession.
An excellent book- highly recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Very honest memoir of a woman who calls herself fat. A good counterpoint to the memoirs and selfhelp books that push thinness and equate it with happiness.

Thank you Netgalley for a ARC.
I actually enjoyed this book. As a large person myself, I found that Jes Baker has gone thru some of the same experiences that I have. I found myself laughing at her honestly and then feeling sympathy for her whith some of her struggles. I enjoyed her honesty. It was raw and true.
My biggest gripe with the book, is it was almost like Ms. Baker didn't know what she wanted to write. Was it a memoir or was it a self help book?

Landwhale is many things: it is a delightful read, a harrowing read, an emotionally-charged read, and one that invokes laughter at times, as well as pangs of sympathy and empathy for chapters covering topics we need to continue discussing openly. Topics we may be ashamed to talk about such as controversial opinions on body image, eating disorders, the connection of religion and morality to food and body size, being an imperfect body liberation advocate, the importance of the body acceptance/liberation movement within feminism, and more.

I love Jes Baker's voice. You know when you're reading that she ~is~ speaking to her readers, not just at them. There's a difference, and it can make the difference between a book being a pleasure or a rather wordy necessity. Jes is smart and sharp, but she is also incredibly compassionate and this comes across beautifully in the honest way in which she lays out so many of her most important messages within the book - as well as those that were likely included if just to make the reader smile/chuckle.

I was so excited to be given access to this ARC and it certainly did not disappoint. I greatly appreciated Baker sharing some of her most influential/favorite activists, and am very glad to have her voice out there and making noise as well. 5/5

Jes Baker's "Landwhale" is a raw and riveting account. It was hard to read about her pain at times, but it was totally worth it. I love her feisty attitude and sense of humor. I have a lot of friends who struggle with obesity and I will recommend her book to them as well as to anyone who wants to reed about an inspiring. passionate, strong woman.