Full disclosure: My friend Ophira Edut is the editor of this book, but that's not why I like it. Body Outlaws is a collection of essays that challenges the idea that only tall, skinny, blonde and Caucasian women can be beautiful. (Fun fact: The first edition of this book was called Adios, Barbie.) If you've ever hated your body, been too critical of your face, or been made to feel too short, too fat, too hairy, too unattractive... you should pick up this book.
Most of the essays are by young women who reject our culture's often-exclusionary view of beauty. It's a diverse collection of stories that all involve beauty, body image, and the difficulty of accepting yourself in a culture obsessed with physical "perfection." For instance, Lisa Jervis describes how she feels about the size of her nose, especially in contrast with her mom, who's had a nose job. And plus-size model Kate Dillon reveals how her modeling agency talked to her about her "weight problem" (she was 5'11 and weighed 125 pounds at the time).
This book is nine years old, but it doesn't feel dated. In a way, I wish it did—if it meant that women finally felt beautiful as they are. But until we get there, consider this a booster shot for your self-esteem and body image. Have any of you read the book? If so, what did you think of it?
In a return to the public stage, John Edwards has confirmed plans to talk politics a month after admitting to an extramarital affair. But his wife won't be at his side.
AFP - Australian police have cleared an Indian doctor of involvement in failed bomb attacks in Britain last year after a bungled 14-month probe that is now the subject of a judicial inquiry.
Reuters - Personal income tumbled unexpectedly
in July and inflation-adjusted spending shrank as government
economic stimulus waned, but consumer spirits rose this month,
a hint the economy may muddle through its woes.
