Feature image credit: @naomilarnold

In a world that promotes very specific standards of beauty, it can be hard to love ourselves and our incredible and unique bodies. The Body Positivity Movement has slowly gained ground as media outlets begin to share these voices and body positive influencers like Megan Jayne Crabb continue to build their platforms. These body positive books are here to remind us that every body is worthy of love. 

Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy by Kelly Jensen

In this compilation of essays, lists and illustrations, 37 diverse actors, models, musicians, writers and artists talk about their body experiences. From stories of eating disorders and gender identity, to battling cancer and scoliosis, Body Talk travels deep into an exploration of the beautiful uniqueness of our bodies.

Body Positive Power by Megan Jayne Crabb

For generations, women have been convinced that true happiness only comes when we hit that goal weight, shrink ourselves down, and change ourselves to fit a rigid and unrealistic beauty ideal. We’ve been taught to see our bodies as collections of problems that need to be fixed. Instagram star Megan Jayne Crabbe is determined to spread the word that loving the body you have is the real path to happiness.

The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

Renowned activist and poet Sonya Renee Taylor preaches radical self-love to heal the wounds of bad body image. The Body is Not an Apology criticizes the systems that make us feel bad about our bodies and replaces body shame with an exclamation of self-love. 

You Have The Right to Remain Fat by Virgie Tovar

Virgie Tovar writes a memoir of her struggles growing up with poor body-image and the constant battle to lose weight and diet. You Have The Right to Remain Fat validates the plus-size body and demeans fatphobia, tearing apart the idea that overweight people have to diet before reaching happiness.

The Pretty One by Keah Brown

Disabled rights advocate and creator of the #DisabledAndCute campaign, Keah Brown is a voice for the disabled community in her collection of inspiring essays. She explores romance, her relationship with her identical twin who is able-bodied, and the misrepresentations of disabled people in pop culture and media.

Disability Visibility edited by Alice Wong

A variety of disabled voices come together with personal essays to combat the underrepresentation of disabilities in the media and give people a better glimpse into the life of a disabled person. Disability Visibility is a celebration of disabled people and their range of talents and passions. 

Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig

Rebekah Taussig tells her experiences of living in a body that does not fit society’s norms, while teaching people to be more caring and accepting. Sitting Pretty is Taussig’s call to action for more representation of people with disabilities, as ableism continues to be a prominent part of society.

Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

Overweight Willowdean Dickson pushes past societal norms by entering a beauty contest to reinvigorate her confidence and prove that she has just as much right to be up on stage as every other girl. Julie Murphy writes a hilarious young adult read that explores the power of self-worth.

The Goddess Revolution by Mel Wells

The Goddess Revolution tackles the world’s obsession with body image, food and exercise and sparks the idea that women of all shapes and sizes are born goddesses. Mel Wells revolutionizes a new way of thinking that encourages women to develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies.

The Other F Word  edited by Angie Manfredi

This collection of prose, poetry, art and essays combats fatphobia and dismantles the typical standards of beauty. Young adult writers come together to create a collaboration of tools that people of all ages can use to feel more confident in their own skin.

Beautiful You: A Daily Guide to Radical Acceptance by Rosie Molinary

A practical guidebook with a plan that spans 365 days, Rosie Molinary includes techniques and tools to tap into yourself and work toward a healthy love for your body. Beautiful You is catered toward women of all ages, shapes and sizes and maintains self-esteem while breaking the bad habits of self-deprecation.

Love Your Body by Jessica Sanders

In this celebration of diverse bodies, Jessica Sanders writes to the youth and encourages girls to love their bodies in a world that is obsessed with image. Love Your Body empowers the youth to embrace uniqueness and instills in them the message that all bodies are good bodies.

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