When it’s chilly outside, there’s nothing better than cuddling up under the covers with a hot cup of tea and a great book. This January, keep warm by putting body-positive books at the top of your reading list. To help you narrow down your search, here are 7 favorites from Dia&Co team members. *Answers have been condensed and edited for clarity and length.

Images courtesy of publishers

body-positive books shrill lindy west

“Shrill” by Lindy West

“I read Lindy West’s memoir, ‘Shrill,’ my first week at Dia. What really stuck with me was how she described overcoming the belief that she had to be thinner before she could have the things she wanted in life. I realized that I had spent a big chunk of my life in that mindset—and it was really healing to see someone else put it into words. I also loved reading a story about a plus-size woman that wasn’t focused on her trying to lose weight.”

Lisa W.
Dia Stylist

body-positive books you don't have to like me alida nugent

“You Don’t Have to Like Me” by Alida Nugent

“I used to focus so intently on being well-liked—obsessing over every detail of a conversation, trying to determine if what I’d said was weird, or rude, or awkward. Things like that would eat at me for days, leading to a very general waste of time. ‘You Don’t Have to Like Me’ toes the line between being kind, but realizing you may not be everyone’s cup of tea—and that’s fine. Alida tells stories of growing up, dealing with misogyny in her community, stifling her creativity, and ultimately finding her voice.”
 
Sydney H.
Communications Manager
body-positive books dumplin' julie murphy

“Dumplin’” by Julie Murphy

“‘Dumplin’‘ by Julie Murphy is always at the top of my body-positive reading list. It shows a girl who doesn’t feel bad about her size, but is frustrated that the world tries to change her. The follow-up novel, ‘Puddin’,’ follows another plus-size cutie who I fell in love with while reading ‘Dumplin’.’”

Rachel W.
Dia Stylist

body-positive books big girl kelsey miller

“Big Girl: How I Gave Up Dieting and Got a Life” by Kelsey Miller

“I read Kelsey Miller’s memoir, ‘Big Girl: How I Gave Up Dieting and Got a Life,’ a few years ago after joining Dia full time, and, honestly, it changed how I think about my relationship with myself—and with others. Besides instantly connecting with Kelsey from a musical theater perspective, it was one of the first memoirs I read where I thought, ‘Me, too!’ I was lucky enough to meet her at theCURVYcon in 2016. I cried as I thanked her for sharing her story—and for helping me see that I was doing just fine.”

Marge H.
Culture & Onboarding Manager

body-positive books the earth my butt and other round things carolyn mackler

“The Earth, My Butt, and Other Round Things” by Carolyn Mackler

“When I read this young-adult novel in middle school, it was the first time I saw a plus-size protagonist portrayed as a confident and motivated teenager who is being pursued romantically. The story begins with Virginia deeply wanting to love herself—which her mom sees as an act of rebellion because she desperately wants her daughter to diet and lose weight. She learns to measure herself through her own standards. This coming-of-age story taught me to reframe my narrative in my own voice.”

Kayin H.
Dia Stylist

body-positive books landwhale jes baker

“Landwhale” by Jes Baker

“Through this book by Jes Baker, I have learned to be more kind to myself. We all have flaws—we just need to accept them and love ourselves for them. They’re what make us all unique!”

Brandi H.
Dia Stylist

body-positive books health at every size linda bacon

“Health at Every Size” by Linda Bacon

“‘Health at Every Size’ was an awakening of sorts. Using facts and science, there was an explanation for why my body wouldn’t conform to these ‘health’ standards, and why every diet I have tried throughout my life failed. This book has changed how I view my body and myself. I am not a failure and neither is my body—the failure exists inside the culture.”

Natali T.
Senior QA Analyst

Have a great body-positive read you’d like to share? Send them to us at social@dia.co!