whats your favorite eating disorder book?

VegGoddess

I'm currently reading Wasted by Marya Hornbacher
next I want to read Feminist Perspectives on Eating Disorders then Minding the Body

I have read some eating disorder fiction books but those don't really grasp my attention too well anymore. I did like wintergirls because I LOVE Laurie Halse Anderson but that book was full of all sorts of triggers so i prefer to stay away from those types.

Anywho, the title is self explanatory, whats your favorite? Have any good suggestions? Have you read any of the ones I've listed?

skywa

Wasted.
Hands down. Amazing.

seekingthepatienceofjob

Perfect by Natasha Friend is an okay book.

I read Diary of an Anorexic Girl by Morgan Menzie....I felt like I could relate to it more.

Wasted was the best!

vinylgroover

I'd have to say Wintergirls. It hit home in so many different ways, I was in tears by the end.
Wasted is a close second.

justanotherbrickinthewall

I'd definitely say Wasted. Marya Hornbacher is an amazing writer. I'd definitely recommended reading her other book, Madness. It was incredible.

theroadto100

Wintergirls for sure.

thinmintme

I'm a fan of Life Size, myself. I've got Diary of an Anorexic Girl as well which is also good.
I just like the poetic style of Life Size. Not sure of the author at this moment. :c

PinkAndSparkle

Life with Ed. Fantastic.

Beezer322

wasted is really good, but if you want something shining the light on recovery more, I'd go for Purge. It's pretty good. And it's a true story as well.

VegGoddess

wasted is really good, but if you want something shining the light on recovery more, I'd go for Purge. It's pretty good. And it's a true story as well.

oh yes! i read purge it was really good.

jvw317

If you want a really interesting and actually somewhat humorous book for recovery? Try Life Without Ed by JennI Schaeffer. Best eating disorder book ever, and I've read a ton.

dancin2011

Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi...LOVED IT!

InTheInbetween

Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi...LOVED IT!

^^ This was my fav too!!

dancin2011

Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi...LOVED IT!

^^ This was my fav too!!

It was amazing! She was so real and while some may find it triggering, I was inspired by her journey.

Emabo

Skinny would have to be my favorite book involving eating disorders. I have never read a book about a bulimic though, so the ones involving anorexics were hard for me to relate to. I also feel like I am alone on this, but I really did not like Wintergirls.

arkansascountrygirl

its not really an E.D. book but it does address it. Jorge Cruise 8 minuets moves in the morning extra easy work out. it address not only weight but your emotional eating and your self esteem.

aehartley

Wasted - Wintergirls - Unbarable Lightness - Purge

and now I am reading Purge... it is really good. It is a diffrent perspective on IP - when I was IP it was nothing like her discussions in the book. I was going to get Skinny on my Kindle - since it seems to have some reviews, I will be more than glad to get it.

luvlyjanny

currently reading wasted!! enjoying it so far

Emabo

I also liked the book Thin.

VegGoddess

Skinny would have to be my favorite book involving eating disorders. I have never read a book about a bulimic though, so the ones involving anorexics were hard for me to relate to. I also feel like I am alone on this, but I really did not like Wintergirls.

i read skinny too, it was okay. i was really really sad.

Vench

Life-Size's author is Jenefer Shute... I've been having a hard time finding a new copy because I think it's out of print. Sucks cos I really wanted to read it

I have a love/hate relationship with Marya Hornbacher - sometimes it seems like she's proud of how sick she got, but then again, I've had the same mentality myself at times, so I can't hate on her too much.

The worst is probably The Passion of Alice by Stephanie Grant. That book is just a literary cluster-yeah that had a plot that went nowhere.

Behavior_Modification

"When Food Is Love" - Geneen Roth

aehartley

My question is - do you all read them as triggers, or do you read them for help... I feel like I read them for diffrent reasons myself... I was just wondering the take in the forum on ED books.

Behavior_Modification

I read them for help. I want to read other people's stories about their ED. I want to hear how it started. I want to hear their highs and lows. I want to relate to them. Finding other people who struggle with the same type of behavior is somewhat relieving because it helps me to stop blaming myself. I want to know how other people figure out how to overcome their ED behavior. I want to continue to learn everything there is to know about ED because I truly believe knowledge is power.

DQMD

Sometimes depending on my mood it could be a trigger or a help. When I am feeling weak I actually read stuff that has zilch to do with food. Only because it will make my mind think about it. Also get wrapped around about how pitiful my life is. I will read mindless books that are silly and happy.

sinclare

Wasted.

I showed it to my therapist a couple years ago and even though I hadn't finished it, I let her read it.

She Wouldn't Give It Back! She thought it would be too triggering...lol

Seokie

The Best Little Girl in the World and Kessa both by Steven Levenkron

PinkAndSparkle

the reason I like "Life with Ed" so much is because the author is very careful not to put in triggering information such as her weight, her caloric intake, etc. She talks about the psychological side of it and the thoughts that run in and out of our minds while suffering with an eating disorder. I highly recommend it to anyone on this board.

Behavior_Modification

Just finished over the weekend. "Unbearable Lightness" written by Portia de Rossi (Ellen DeGeneres' wife). I really enjoyed it.

I happen to think Portia is GORGEOUS also! When I think about how my life would be so much better if I were thin & beautiful I will remember her story. Beauty, Ideal Weight, and Success do not equate to happiness and she explains that in great detail in her book.

Behavior_Modification

In the current book I’m reading called, “Life Without Ed” - written by Jenni Schaefer with Thom Rutledge, the author uses Ed as an acronym for Eating Disorder.

She writes:

“Although I see Thom for “individual” therapy, there is a whole group of us in his office for each of my sessions. In fact, every place to sit in his office is occupied. Ed is sprawled out on the couch, while Thom and I sit in two cushioned chairs. And in the straight-back wooden chair sits Ms. Perfectionist, with perfect posture.

You see, Ed has many colleagues. Thom refers to one as the Should Monster, who tells me everything I should or should not have done in my life. I frequently hear the Timekeeper, who keeps a close eye on how I spend every minute of my day – making sure that each moment is spent productively. And I hear Ms. Perfectionist compromising to stay in line with the Timekeeper, promising she will make me perfect.”



These paragraphs have Diane written all over them! I’ve known about Ed, Ms. Perfectionist and the Should Monster for quite some time now, but this was the first time I was formerly introduced to the Timekeeper. To know that I am not the only one driven by the Timekeeper is pleasantly comforting.

When I began seeing my behavior therapist again in January this year, my obsession with time was the main behavior trait I wanted to discuss. It really helped to talk about it. It helped to have someone play devil’s advocate and force me to answer why I feel the way I do about time. At first I didn’t have any answers. Another helpful tidbit is to put myself in someone else’s shoes and try to guess how they would be feeling about the same time sensitive situation. For a little over a month I tried different exercises to bring me away from my comfort zone with time, and although uncomfortable, I know it made a difference.

Ever since my mom’s stroke at the end of February I have been forced to have a better relationship with the Timekeeper. Ms. Perfectionist needs me to be the perfect daughter, but the Timekeeper doesn’t understand that spending time with a loved one in need is a valid way to spend time. They still butt heads, but the compromising is getting better.

driaxx

I don't know if you've read 'The Edible Woman' by Margaret Atwood but it's a great novel.