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150 Pounds: A Novel of Waists and Measures
A smartly-written novel of two women starting at opposite ends of the scale--and finding compromise and friendship in their journey towards 150 pounds
In the fast paced life of blogging, two women stand out: Alexis Allbright, of Skinny Chick, and Shoshana Weiner, who writes Fat and Fabulous. Both have over five million loyal readers. Both are hungry for success. But the similarities stop there.
With over 100 pounds on the scale separating them, weight isn't their only difference. Alexis is a loner who is so bitchy the only person who can stand her company is her gay best friend Billy. She gives neurotic New Yorkers a run for their money with her strict daily workout routine, and weighing of food. Shoshana is Alexis’s opposite. Living in Jersey with rowdy roommates, she is someone who “collects friends,” as her mother puts it; and treasures a life of expanding circles...and waistlines.
When both appear as panelists on a popular talk show, their lives intersect in ways neither could have imagined. In turns comedic, heartwarming--and familiar to any woman who's ever stepped on a scale--Alexis and Shoshana realize they have far more in common than either could have possibly imagined, and more importantly, something to offer.
332 pages, Hardcover
First published January 17, 2012
25 people are currently reading
1175 people want to read
About the author
Kate Rockland
2 books61 followersKate Rockland lives in NJ with her husband and two sons. She is a frequent contributor to the New York Times. She weighs 150 pounds. She is the author of "Falling Is Like This," and "150 Pounds." She is currently at work on a non-fiction book about motherhood, stay tuned! She appreciates all the readers on Goodreads who take the time to review her books, good or bad!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
February 24, 2012
I like the idea; wish I could like the book. Where was the editor? Ideas were raised and then dropped, never to be seen again. The book contained several internal contradictions, often within the same paragraph. (One example: We are told that if Alexis finds a leopard print or soft pink feather in her closet, she can't tell if it's hers or her roommate's. On the very next page, though, we are told that Alexis never wears anything at all feminine. So, clearly, the pink feather and the leopard print must belong to her roommate.) There is similar sloppiness throughout. Also, peahens do not have long rainbow tails to trail behind them--only the males have those. And Red Delicious apples, far from being the very best apples from which to make apple pie, are the very worst. An interesting idea very poorly executed.
April 20, 2012
I wish there was a choice other than "read, to read, and currently reading". Something like "couldn't make it through" would work for me.
Did someone edit this book? Is there a reason that on page 22 Shoshana's father's name was Bill, and then on page 26, his name was Bob?
Pg 22: "She had been in the middle of baking a cherry pie and had flour on her hands and an apron which scattered like confetti as she ran toward her husband and daughter "Oh Bill!" she'd screamed."
Pg 26: "Bob used to tease her that her autobiography would someday be titled I Should Have Had the Fish. She smiled now, remembering."
Methinks she doesn't remember so well. She has moved on to the point she has forgotten his name. Or maybe her daughter did. Who cares.
So many books to read, so little time.
Mistakes like this annoy me.
Color me done.
Did someone edit this book? Is there a reason that on page 22 Shoshana's father's name was Bill, and then on page 26, his name was Bob?
Pg 22: "She had been in the middle of baking a cherry pie and had flour on her hands and an apron which scattered like confetti as she ran toward her husband and daughter "Oh Bill!" she'd screamed."
Pg 26: "Bob used to tease her that her autobiography would someday be titled I Should Have Had the Fish. She smiled now, remembering."
Methinks she doesn't remember so well. She has moved on to the point she has forgotten his name. Or maybe her daughter did. Who cares.
So many books to read, so little time.
Mistakes like this annoy me.
Color me done.
March 5, 2012
As soon as I became aware of the premise for this book, I saw red flags. I should have paid attention to them. Two bloggers - one a fat activist of sorts and one a judgmental self-proclaimed skinny chick - meet on Oprah as enemies, live their separate lives, learn their separate lessons, and come to the same conclusion. It was very much a Goldilocks story - in the beginning, Shoshana is toooooo fat; Alexis is toooooo skinny - but in the end, they're both juuuuuust right. (face - palm)
Everything about this book is predictable and trite. The characters are painted with broad strokes. Shoshana is good! She is wonderful! She likes pillows! She is cool! Everybody likes her! She is comfortable in her own large skin! She is rewarded for this by being allowed to lose weight by magic! Without even trying! Alexis is a bitch! She is cold! She is mean! She has no friends! She quit law school to start a blog! She is judgmental! What could possibly save her? Why, the love of a good man, of course! (face - palm, face - palm)
Bloggers are treated like celebrities in this book. Now - I know there are celebrities in the blogging community, but that doesn't spill out into society at large. You don't have to be into sports or movies or music to name a couple athletes or actors or musicians - but I defy you to get someone outside of the blogging community to name one blogger. It isn't done. In this book, bloggers are getting their pictures taken by paparazzi and posted in the gossip rags. (face - palm, face - palm, face - palm)
I know. It's fiction. It's chick lit - which is not a genre I generally enjoy - so perhaps I'm being unfair. But seriously. Skip this one.
Everything about this book is predictable and trite. The characters are painted with broad strokes. Shoshana is good! She is wonderful! She likes pillows! She is cool! Everybody likes her! She is comfortable in her own large skin! She is rewarded for this by being allowed to lose weight by magic! Without even trying! Alexis is a bitch! She is cold! She is mean! She has no friends! She quit law school to start a blog! She is judgmental! What could possibly save her? Why, the love of a good man, of course! (face - palm, face - palm)
Bloggers are treated like celebrities in this book. Now - I know there are celebrities in the blogging community, but that doesn't spill out into society at large. You don't have to be into sports or movies or music to name a couple athletes or actors or musicians - but I defy you to get someone outside of the blogging community to name one blogger. It isn't done. In this book, bloggers are getting their pictures taken by paparazzi and posted in the gossip rags. (face - palm, face - palm, face - palm)
I know. It's fiction. It's chick lit - which is not a genre I generally enjoy - so perhaps I'm being unfair. But seriously. Skip this one.
February 27, 2012
I don't even know where to start. Firstly, the writing in this was terrible. Different viewpoints all over the place. Also, both Alexis and Shoshana could see through walls and curtains. For example, Alexis was at the ER and closes the curtain around her, but somehow sees the couple across the hallway--behind their own curtain. Ugh. Someone needs to fire their editor.
And the last four books I've read have had the proverbial gay best friend. Is this the must-have accessory for 2012? If I don't write a gay best friend into my novel, will it not sell? Is it possible that all gay people have the proverbial drama-chick in their lives? I have nothing against gay best friends, it just seems that they are all so cliche in these books. Can't a gay best friend just be...a best friend...without the over-the-top-ness that gets portrayed?
I sense that perhaps I need to broaden my reading scope and include more things that don't have (a) the drama chick and (b) the proverbial gay best friend.
The story, itself, was okay for me once I got over how many different view points were being expressed in addition to the intended viewpoint of either Alexis or Shoshana. Also, it seemed like there were a lot of typos so it became a game to see how many I could find. Not really what you want your reader to be concentrating on while reading your book.
But, I guess, the good news is that I finished the book. Quite fast considering I started it on Friday and had it done by Sunday, so I must have enjoyed it on some level.
And the last four books I've read have had the proverbial gay best friend. Is this the must-have accessory for 2012? If I don't write a gay best friend into my novel, will it not sell? Is it possible that all gay people have the proverbial drama-chick in their lives? I have nothing against gay best friends, it just seems that they are all so cliche in these books. Can't a gay best friend just be...a best friend...without the over-the-top-ness that gets portrayed?
I sense that perhaps I need to broaden my reading scope and include more things that don't have (a) the drama chick and (b) the proverbial gay best friend.
The story, itself, was okay for me once I got over how many different view points were being expressed in addition to the intended viewpoint of either Alexis or Shoshana. Also, it seemed like there were a lot of typos so it became a game to see how many I could find. Not really what you want your reader to be concentrating on while reading your book.
But, I guess, the good news is that I finished the book. Quite fast considering I started it on Friday and had it done by Sunday, so I must have enjoyed it on some level.
February 25, 2012
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150 Pounds touched a personal issue for me. I may not have been affected by my weight but I do know what it's like to look at magazines and movie stars and wish I looked like them, I know all about insecurities. I was that girl. Kate Rockland has approached delicate, controversial and highly important topics - Weight, Appearance, Self-Image and Confidence - and handled them with tact and class.
150 Pounds is the story of two highly successful bloggers - Alexis Allbright of Skinny Chick and Shoshana Weiner of Fat and Fabulous. As you can guess from the names, Shoshana runs a blog that reaches out to plus-size women and encourages them to feel comfortable in their skin while Alexis' delivers the opposite message - that being overweight/fat isn't okay. A joint appearance on The Oprah Show starts a feud between these two and sets the story in motion.
Let me begin with this - every girl/woman would be able to relate to this book. There may be only two protagonists but believe me, we all have a little bit of Shoshana and Alexis in us. Rockland has created two strong and wonderful characters that're polar opposites and yet have more in common than they realize. This is a book about self-acceptance and getting past ones insecurities that's written in a very humorous and entertaining way.
I loved the Shoshana's larger than life personality, Alexis's strength (despite being so stuck up) and the creative blog posts! 150 Pounds is lovely book - one I strongly recommend to every woman out there.
150 Pounds touched a personal issue for me. I may not have been affected by my weight but I do know what it's like to look at magazines and movie stars and wish I looked like them, I know all about insecurities. I was that girl. Kate Rockland has approached delicate, controversial and highly important topics - Weight, Appearance, Self-Image and Confidence - and handled them with tact and class.
150 Pounds is the story of two highly successful bloggers - Alexis Allbright of Skinny Chick and Shoshana Weiner of Fat and Fabulous. As you can guess from the names, Shoshana runs a blog that reaches out to plus-size women and encourages them to feel comfortable in their skin while Alexis' delivers the opposite message - that being overweight/fat isn't okay. A joint appearance on The Oprah Show starts a feud between these two and sets the story in motion.
Let me begin with this - every girl/woman would be able to relate to this book. There may be only two protagonists but believe me, we all have a little bit of Shoshana and Alexis in us. Rockland has created two strong and wonderful characters that're polar opposites and yet have more in common than they realize. This is a book about self-acceptance and getting past ones insecurities that's written in a very humorous and entertaining way.
I loved the Shoshana's larger than life personality, Alexis's strength (despite being so stuck up) and the creative blog posts! 150 Pounds is lovely book - one I strongly recommend to every woman out there.
August 19, 2012
Synopsis: Two semi-successful weight/lifestyle bloggers (Shoshana and Alexis) at opposite ends of the weight spectrum (size 16 and 0, respectively) meet on Oprah for a weight debate, then go off to live their separate lives. Along the way they learn some life lessons (boring ones) and ultimately come to meet in the middle (in both actual weight and life).
I really wanted to like this. Really. The title, the blurb -- it all called to me, begging for a read. But this is poorly written. It's trite, full of clichés, and just flat-out boring. Not to mention chock full of weird, any-editor-should've-caught-'em mistakes. Sigh. One redeeming quality is the inclusion of multiple racial/ethnic groups. Although Rockland strayed into some stereotypes here as well (just a little!), I have to give her props for the obvious and purposeful inclusion of -- for lack of a better term -- "non-mainstreams."
Ultimately? Skip this. It's an easy read but why waste the time when there are much better books?
I really wanted to like this. Really. The title, the blurb -- it all called to me, begging for a read. But this is poorly written. It's trite, full of clichés, and just flat-out boring. Not to mention chock full of weird, any-editor-should've-caught-'em mistakes. Sigh. One redeeming quality is the inclusion of multiple racial/ethnic groups. Although Rockland strayed into some stereotypes here as well (just a little!), I have to give her props for the obvious and purposeful inclusion of -- for lack of a better term -- "non-mainstreams."
Ultimately? Skip this. It's an easy read but why waste the time when there are much better books?
February 10, 2012
This book was about Alexis and Shoshana--two women with major preoccupations with weight.
The stereotypes in this book are many. Alexis is the "skinny bitch," who counts calories with a vengeance, turns up her nose at food and those who enjoy it, and whose only friend is her gay roommate. Shoshana is "fat and fun," has dozens of friends, and enjoys having her nails done (this is a stereotype, trust me). Both come from families with money but live the poor life (convenient), both have suffered a tragedy in their family, both are adamant that their way of thinking about food and weight is the right way.
So it was a decent read. Nothing earth-shattering about it. One thing that drove me nuts (and this is nitpicky of me) is that the chapters were long and there was no break in them; I need a place to stop!
The stereotypes in this book are many. Alexis is the "skinny bitch," who counts calories with a vengeance, turns up her nose at food and those who enjoy it, and whose only friend is her gay roommate. Shoshana is "fat and fun," has dozens of friends, and enjoys having her nails done (this is a stereotype, trust me). Both come from families with money but live the poor life (convenient), both have suffered a tragedy in their family, both are adamant that their way of thinking about food and weight is the right way.
So it was a decent read. Nothing earth-shattering about it. One thing that drove me nuts (and this is nitpicky of me) is that the chapters were long and there was no break in them; I need a place to stop!
December 29, 2011
I was lucky enough to read an advance review copy of 150 pounds. I love a book that comes full circle and this one certainly did - it is an incredibly satisfying read with delightful characters that are very well fleshed out and entertaining. The topic is a sensitive one, but Kate handles it gracefully with some wry wit thrown in for good measure.
One of the things I liked most was that it includes blog post entries by the two main characters to keep the story moving forward. This is a very clever way of writing, and is true to the times we are living in. Bravo!
Recommend to anyone who likes women's fiction and strong female characters.
One of the things I liked most was that it includes blog post entries by the two main characters to keep the story moving forward. This is a very clever way of writing, and is true to the times we are living in. Bravo!
Recommend to anyone who likes women's fiction and strong female characters.
February 13, 2012
I struggled with my opinion on this book and with what kind of review to give it.
As chick lit goes, this is a very good example of the types of books I've previously enjoyed in that category. It reminded me very much of early Jennifer Weiner (the heroine's name I took to be an homage of sorts to her), Jane Green (who blurbed the book) and Jenny Colgan. It has that sort of We Is Kwirky Girlz vibe that makes for a good experience. You read Chick Lit to hang out with the girls, and so the type of girls who are the book's characters are fundamental to the experience. Rockland did a very good job of peopling the book with interesting people in interesting places.
As a Health at Every Size Advocate I hit a few sour notes during the reading experience.
It seemed obvious that Shoshana Weiner was based largely on Kate Harding of the now-defunct Shapely Prose blog, a fact confirmed by the Acknowledgements at the book's end. Unfortunately much of the scientific arguments about obesity-positivity are either downplayed or ignored in favour of the book's overall theme--love yourself at any size, but if you can lose some weight you'd be better off. The book opens with the hero and anti-hero together on a show that is supposed to be Oprah (but sounds nothing like the all-too-familiar real-life Oprah, which is distracting). In this chapter they each present their side of the argument. Unfortunately the Fat side either doesn't make its points or lets erroneous information from the Skinny Side slide by unchecked. For instance, the Skinny character makes a point of saying that Obesity rates have doubled. It is widely known that the cause for this doubling was the redefinition of "obese" in the medical community. When they decided to change to BMI, weights that were "normal" were suddenly reclassified as "overweight" and in turn "overweight" became obese. People didn't get fatter. Numbers got lower. This goes unaddressed, as do a few other key points. The biggest flaw, however, was a section mentioning that obesity causes cancer. Correlation is not causation. There are reams of scientific studies disputing this rumour, but the book passes it off as fact. Granted, people don't generally go to Chick Lit for fact, but I do find that entertainment sticks in the mind longer than education in many respects and I think it was horribly irresponsible of Rockland to fail to present a better case. If she was going to bring the argument into the book at all I would have preferred that she bring the facts along with the hyperbole and keep misinformation out of it.
If you set aside the Great Weight Debate the book is a passable way to spend an afternoon and I enjoyed it once I decided to let the FA/HAES stuff go. But the book centers around weight issues and so I am not sure that's really a fair burden to place on the reader. Hence the lowered grade. I'd say by and large that it's a 3.5 star book.
As chick lit goes, this is a very good example of the types of books I've previously enjoyed in that category. It reminded me very much of early Jennifer Weiner (the heroine's name I took to be an homage of sorts to her), Jane Green (who blurbed the book) and Jenny Colgan. It has that sort of We Is Kwirky Girlz vibe that makes for a good experience. You read Chick Lit to hang out with the girls, and so the type of girls who are the book's characters are fundamental to the experience. Rockland did a very good job of peopling the book with interesting people in interesting places.
As a Health at Every Size Advocate I hit a few sour notes during the reading experience.
It seemed obvious that Shoshana Weiner was based largely on Kate Harding of the now-defunct Shapely Prose blog, a fact confirmed by the Acknowledgements at the book's end. Unfortunately much of the scientific arguments about obesity-positivity are either downplayed or ignored in favour of the book's overall theme--love yourself at any size, but if you can lose some weight you'd be better off. The book opens with the hero and anti-hero together on a show that is supposed to be Oprah (but sounds nothing like the all-too-familiar real-life Oprah, which is distracting). In this chapter they each present their side of the argument. Unfortunately the Fat side either doesn't make its points or lets erroneous information from the Skinny Side slide by unchecked. For instance, the Skinny character makes a point of saying that Obesity rates have doubled. It is widely known that the cause for this doubling was the redefinition of "obese" in the medical community. When they decided to change to BMI, weights that were "normal" were suddenly reclassified as "overweight" and in turn "overweight" became obese. People didn't get fatter. Numbers got lower. This goes unaddressed, as do a few other key points. The biggest flaw, however, was a section mentioning that obesity causes cancer. Correlation is not causation. There are reams of scientific studies disputing this rumour, but the book passes it off as fact. Granted, people don't generally go to Chick Lit for fact, but I do find that entertainment sticks in the mind longer than education in many respects and I think it was horribly irresponsible of Rockland to fail to present a better case. If she was going to bring the argument into the book at all I would have preferred that she bring the facts along with the hyperbole and keep misinformation out of it.
If you set aside the Great Weight Debate the book is a passable way to spend an afternoon and I enjoyed it once I decided to let the FA/HAES stuff go. But the book centers around weight issues and so I am not sure that's really a fair burden to place on the reader. Hence the lowered grade. I'd say by and large that it's a 3.5 star book.
October 25, 2015
Under the category Life's Too Short For Bad Books.
I got this at a used book sale for a dollar and right now I'm trying to come up with ways that dollar could have been better spent:
Pack of gum
Two postage stamps
Vending machine Diet Coke
Donation to this author's editor
I didn't have huge expectations based on the cover, as this is very obviously Chick Lit Lite, something for sitting by the pool, a plane ride, etc. But those books when done well definitely have their place & I don't normally knock them too much. This, however, is what gives those kinds of books a bad rap. Maybe she thought inserting Oprah into story would get her an Oprah recommendation? Not a bad idea, but opening the story with an awkward Oprah appearance just set the tone off on a red flag for me and I gave up not long after. I'll donate this to the shelf of free books at work (anonymously) and hope some lady gets some enjoyment out of it.
I got this at a used book sale for a dollar and right now I'm trying to come up with ways that dollar could have been better spent:
Pack of gum
Two postage stamps
Vending machine Diet Coke
Donation to this author's editor
I didn't have huge expectations based on the cover, as this is very obviously Chick Lit Lite, something for sitting by the pool, a plane ride, etc. But those books when done well definitely have their place & I don't normally knock them too much. This, however, is what gives those kinds of books a bad rap. Maybe she thought inserting Oprah into story would get her an Oprah recommendation? Not a bad idea, but opening the story with an awkward Oprah appearance just set the tone off on a red flag for me and I gave up not long after. I'll donate this to the shelf of free books at work (anonymously) and hope some lady gets some enjoyment out of it.
December 28, 2012
I thought the initial idea was interesting - two bloggers who deal with weight issues in markedly different fashions - one is overweight and one is underweight. No surprise in that both characters change viewpoints as the story progresses. I'll say one thing, I would love to be as heavy as the one character is reported to be and still wear the size clothing she does. I guess it doesn't pay to be short and fat!
April 22, 2013
Unreal. This book was amazing. I picked it up last night and finished it this afternoon. I really could not wait to see what happened to Alexis and to Shoshana. This is already on my "read it again when you're feeling bad" shelf. Both girls can provide such positive insight (by the end of the book) to anyone who isn't completely at peace with their body. Just amazing. Loved this book.
May 6, 2012
I found myself to be skipping through Shoshana's part quite a bit. I just couldn't relate too much to her point of view, and I didn't like how her storyline played out. Otherwise, it was an okay book. If I could give 2.5 stars I would.
April 30, 2014
Well worth the read. Empowering women of all sizes.
March 18, 2019
This charming book features Alexis, who weighs 100 pounds soaking wet. She's pretty militant with people she meets and in her blog about minimal weight, lots of exercise, and everyone being skinny, skinny. Then there's Shoshana who weighs in at 215 and writes about being fat, fabulous, and happy with whatever weight you are. She's kind and lovable. When they meet, thunder roars and lightening flashes! As the story progresses, Shoshana loses weight and, gasp, Alexis gains the same amount. The how and why move the story forward to a teary conclusion.
It wouldn't be a romance without some love interests, some misunderstandings, and a serious discussion about body image.
I expected this to be pure chick lit, but it's not. There are some serious issues discussed and along with an underlying message about recognizing how you look and how you act, and most of all, how you stay healthy. For all who struggle with these issues, you'll find this book charming and fanciful, and a little tear worthy.
It wouldn't be a romance without some love interests, some misunderstandings, and a serious discussion about body image.
I expected this to be pure chick lit, but it's not. There are some serious issues discussed and along with an underlying message about recognizing how you look and how you act, and most of all, how you stay healthy. For all who struggle with these issues, you'll find this book charming and fanciful, and a little tear worthy.
November 10, 2012
150 Pounds by Kate Rockland tells the story of a year in the lives of two women with opposite viewpoints on weight and fitness.
Shoshana is a plus-size woman (5' 7", 215 pounds, EE cup, size 5 shoe, age 26) who fervently believes that a woman should love her body at any size, eat and drink whatever comforts or pleases her, and not punish herself with dieting or exercise. Shoshana's younger sister Emily, 315 pounds, experiences so much rejection in her life due to her large size, that Shoshana authors the blog Fat and Fabulous to celebrate large women.
Alexis is a rail-thin (5' 2" 100 pounds) fitness fanatic, who follows a strict diet and exercise regimen. She is so concerned about the nation's epidemic of disease and death due to obesity, that she authors the blog Skinny Chick to promote fitness and healthy lifestyle and eating habits.
The story opens with both women as guests on the Oprah television show, due to their successful blogs. Shoshana's message to love one's body and enjoy eating cookies and comfort food is much more welcome to the audience than Alexis' statistics on how obesity causes disease and death. When Alexis reveals that Shoshana's father dropped dead at age 39 weighing 350 pounds, a preventable death, Oprah quickly cuts to commercial.
The book's chapters chart the following year month-by-month, detailing what each woman weighs, posts on her blog and events in her life. Both women live alternative lifestyles: neither works in an office nor has a boss. The book mentions that each woman earns her living from her blog (but doesn't explain how).
Shoshana lives with a pet dachshund in an apartment in downtown Hoboken NJ with 4 women roommates, all Princeton graduates looking for work. Shoshana enjoys a comfortable personal schedule: her alarm wakes her in the early afternoon, groggy from the previous nights' partying. While still in bed, she catches up on gossip from her roommates, calls an ex-high-school-boyfriend to talk about the food he ate on his latest date, and updates her pedicure. She walks with a friend to go enjoy a glass of wine and gossip. After she returns home, she climbs back into bed to check the feedback on her blog and write her daily post. She visits her mother and sister every day, and goes out each night for drinking parties with her friends. She's tried Internet dating without success; prefers her current lifestyle with blog, family and roommates to the suburban family life she imagines married couples live.
Alexis lives with a pet cat on Nineteenth Street in New York City with roommate Billy, her best friend from Columbia University who works as a bartender, and Vanya, the roommate they needed to meet expenses, after Alexis quit law school to start her blog. Although Alexis can barely afford the fees, workouts at the gym with a personal trainer are important in her life. Each morning Alexis wakes at 4:30 AM, straps on ankle weights, eats a precisely measured breakfast of banana and milk, and heads to the gym for her workout. When her personal trainer becomes pregnant and changes the exercise schedule, Alexis' routine is upset; when Alexis takes a cooking class at the gym and meets Noah, her life changes completely.
Shoshana unexpectedly inherits a 15-acre farm from her great-aunt Mimi. Shoshana loved Mimi and had happy childhood memories of visiting the farm, but stopped visiting years ago due to Mimi's Alzheimer's. She meets Joe Murphy, owner of the neighboring farm, his dog Patrick O'Leary, and his housekeeper Greta. She visits the farm regularly by train, and with tremendous help from Joe and Greta, restores the farmhouse and saves the apple orchard. She is surprised to find herself steadily losing weight due to all the hard manual labor, and she keeps the change a secret from her blog readers. Reading about Joe and Greta, and how they restore the farm, is the most interesting and pleasurable part of the book. Shoshana comes to realize that Mimi left her the farm so she could effectively deal with her suppressed grief over her father's death.
Meanwhile Alexis falls in love with Noah and becomes pregnant. But what changes her entire world even more drastically is Billy's cancer diagnosis. Alexis attempts to reconcile with her parents, in order to get financial assistance for Billy's treatments.
Each woman's weight gradually changes, until after one year they both weigh 150 pounds. They meet again and acknowledge the changes in each other's life and perspective. They return to Oprah, where they make a surprising joint announcement.
This "meet at 150 pounds" is a false premise - my primary objection to the book, and reason for only 2 stars. Pregnancy is a temporary condition, for gosh sakes! Let's continue the story: After giving birth, instead of a daily session with a personal trainer, Alexis now jogs with her infant in a jogger-stroller. She quickly returns to a lean, fit figure. Meanwhile, with the financial success of Shoshana's apple orchard and pie business, and following the completion of her farmhouse restoration, Shoshana no longer has any daily hard physical labor. She continues to entertain friends lavishly at her farm. All her former weight comes back. With the women back as they started, what happens to their collaboration? Disease and death due to obesity has not gone away.
The author shares that she weighs 150 and was motivated by Lessons from the Fat-o-Sphere blog. I object to the portrayal of Alexis recording calories on her iPhone as an obsession; it's fun to use an app to set personal goals and to track exercise and meals. I get great satisfaction from a vigorous workout, which lowers stress and improves health.
Shoshana is a plus-size woman (5' 7", 215 pounds, EE cup, size 5 shoe, age 26) who fervently believes that a woman should love her body at any size, eat and drink whatever comforts or pleases her, and not punish herself with dieting or exercise. Shoshana's younger sister Emily, 315 pounds, experiences so much rejection in her life due to her large size, that Shoshana authors the blog Fat and Fabulous to celebrate large women.
Alexis is a rail-thin (5' 2" 100 pounds) fitness fanatic, who follows a strict diet and exercise regimen. She is so concerned about the nation's epidemic of disease and death due to obesity, that she authors the blog Skinny Chick to promote fitness and healthy lifestyle and eating habits.
The story opens with both women as guests on the Oprah television show, due to their successful blogs. Shoshana's message to love one's body and enjoy eating cookies and comfort food is much more welcome to the audience than Alexis' statistics on how obesity causes disease and death. When Alexis reveals that Shoshana's father dropped dead at age 39 weighing 350 pounds, a preventable death, Oprah quickly cuts to commercial.
The book's chapters chart the following year month-by-month, detailing what each woman weighs, posts on her blog and events in her life. Both women live alternative lifestyles: neither works in an office nor has a boss. The book mentions that each woman earns her living from her blog (but doesn't explain how).
Shoshana lives with a pet dachshund in an apartment in downtown Hoboken NJ with 4 women roommates, all Princeton graduates looking for work. Shoshana enjoys a comfortable personal schedule: her alarm wakes her in the early afternoon, groggy from the previous nights' partying. While still in bed, she catches up on gossip from her roommates, calls an ex-high-school-boyfriend to talk about the food he ate on his latest date, and updates her pedicure. She walks with a friend to go enjoy a glass of wine and gossip. After she returns home, she climbs back into bed to check the feedback on her blog and write her daily post. She visits her mother and sister every day, and goes out each night for drinking parties with her friends. She's tried Internet dating without success; prefers her current lifestyle with blog, family and roommates to the suburban family life she imagines married couples live.
Alexis lives with a pet cat on Nineteenth Street in New York City with roommate Billy, her best friend from Columbia University who works as a bartender, and Vanya, the roommate they needed to meet expenses, after Alexis quit law school to start her blog. Although Alexis can barely afford the fees, workouts at the gym with a personal trainer are important in her life. Each morning Alexis wakes at 4:30 AM, straps on ankle weights, eats a precisely measured breakfast of banana and milk, and heads to the gym for her workout. When her personal trainer becomes pregnant and changes the exercise schedule, Alexis' routine is upset; when Alexis takes a cooking class at the gym and meets Noah, her life changes completely.
Shoshana unexpectedly inherits a 15-acre farm from her great-aunt Mimi. Shoshana loved Mimi and had happy childhood memories of visiting the farm, but stopped visiting years ago due to Mimi's Alzheimer's. She meets Joe Murphy, owner of the neighboring farm, his dog Patrick O'Leary, and his housekeeper Greta. She visits the farm regularly by train, and with tremendous help from Joe and Greta, restores the farmhouse and saves the apple orchard. She is surprised to find herself steadily losing weight due to all the hard manual labor, and she keeps the change a secret from her blog readers. Reading about Joe and Greta, and how they restore the farm, is the most interesting and pleasurable part of the book. Shoshana comes to realize that Mimi left her the farm so she could effectively deal with her suppressed grief over her father's death.
Meanwhile Alexis falls in love with Noah and becomes pregnant. But what changes her entire world even more drastically is Billy's cancer diagnosis. Alexis attempts to reconcile with her parents, in order to get financial assistance for Billy's treatments.
Each woman's weight gradually changes, until after one year they both weigh 150 pounds. They meet again and acknowledge the changes in each other's life and perspective. They return to Oprah, where they make a surprising joint announcement.
This "meet at 150 pounds" is a false premise - my primary objection to the book, and reason for only 2 stars. Pregnancy is a temporary condition, for gosh sakes! Let's continue the story: After giving birth, instead of a daily session with a personal trainer, Alexis now jogs with her infant in a jogger-stroller. She quickly returns to a lean, fit figure. Meanwhile, with the financial success of Shoshana's apple orchard and pie business, and following the completion of her farmhouse restoration, Shoshana no longer has any daily hard physical labor. She continues to entertain friends lavishly at her farm. All her former weight comes back. With the women back as they started, what happens to their collaboration? Disease and death due to obesity has not gone away.
The author shares that she weighs 150 and was motivated by Lessons from the Fat-o-Sphere blog. I object to the portrayal of Alexis recording calories on her iPhone as an obsession; it's fun to use an app to set personal goals and to track exercise and meals. I get great satisfaction from a vigorous workout, which lowers stress and improves health.
Read
September 30, 2022The weight part of the story made me very uncomfortable. I know the book came out in 2012, we were not talking about bodies or weight the way we are now, but I want to know - was that part necessary ? These women could have come together over many things in their lives, not just what it felt like to gain or lose weight. Or if you must have the weight story line, show me more growth, love, and acceptance. Even when the characters started to change, I still felt there was a lot of fat phobia and weight loss praise.
The book itself was fine.
The book itself was fine.
December 31, 2017
The title caught my eye. I think the issue on weight and how you look resonates with every girl, guy, man and woman. It is something very close to the heart of a person. I found the premise very interesting as well.
The two main characters write blogs on weight. Shoshana's blog is Fat and Fabulous, inspired by her sister, she started the blog to encourage plus sized and overweight women to be positive and healthy. She is plus sized herself being 215 pounds but okay with that.
Alexis's blog is Skinny Chick and she believes that once you are overweight something is wrong with you. She is nearly a size 0. Always sarcastic, stringent and routine with her life, she counts her calories on an app in her phone daily.
The two women meet on Oprah and find that they have nothing in common, they argue and leave feeling bad. Then they go back to their lives. I think it is really interesting that the author made a fat and skinny mc and than slowly made them the same weight through different circumstances.
Shoshana has a loving family, both her mother and sister are plus sized and support her entirely. She has a great support group of friends who are there for her. I loved that Shosana was okay with who she was and her weight. It is very unusual to find this kind of person in society now. But it was relatable that she experienced bullying in her teenage years about how she looks. She remembers it and choses to be strong.
I loved reading from Shosana's pov as she is witty, fun and loving. I love her outlook in life which is balance, eat healthy, exercise regularly but enjoy eating what you love in moderation. I liked that the author did not make Shoshana fell in love with a guy as part of a journey. Which is a wont to do in most books. I would have been very disappointed if that had happened. I liked that the author made it more about her growth and personal achievements. She did not put out the message that "You need a man to feel complete". There are many books that disappointingly have this message.
Alexis lives with her bestie Billy, who is gay. They have been friends since college. She gave up her studies in law to pursue her passion - writing. Her father threw her out of the house for this. She is actually part of a wealthy family. She has alot to be angry about and hence why she is always negative. She has a daily routine for eating, exercising and work. If something changes she gets thrown off balance.
I understood how she feels and seeing her view on weight and Shoshana's view was great because I admit I am closer to Alexis view but Shoshana's really made me open my eyes to new ideas. I found out why Alexis is always angry and why she is the way she is. I love that the author threw her life into a tizzy so her perspective could change. I loved how much she cared for Billy and what she was willing to do for him. It was nice to see her realize that gaining weight made her look better, healthier and not some negative connotation.
I love the growth of both characters. The apple orchard idea was really cool! I would have loved to visit. It was great that the author made them find common ground and unite them in an ending that was perfect.
I think the weight issue really affects everyone and anyone. Women come in all shapes and sizes. Different weights. They do not fit into fat or skinny but usually in the middle. Why are we all obssessed with looking skinny and perfect like that model on the cover of that magazine or tv? Society has made girls, women, men and guys believe that perfect is beautiful and slim is the holy grail. Those blemish and imperfections free photos make us strive to achieve unrealistic goals. We constantly compare ourselves to the next person. Books have perfectly shaped female or male main characters that make us want to be them or feel inadequate.
The truth is those magazines use photoshop and retouching to get perfect pictures. Tons of makeup is used to get that flawless look on the models. I love GF magazine from Australia as they use readers as models for their fashion and beauty spreads and point out when a photo has been retouched and how much work goes into making the picture that goes into the magazine. More magazines should follow this. Helping girls to have realitic health goals and positive self image.
Slim and skinny does not mean healthy. Just the same that plus sized does not mean unhealthy.
I think it is silly that most immediately assume that skinny people should eat more and overweight people should just eat less. These stereotypes are woven into our brains and even I think them.
I do admit I struggled with how I looked and even at this time I still have days where I do not feel good. I compare myself to other girls and wonder why my thighs are not smaller or slimmer. It truly is a journey to self acceptance. I see people that are close to me struggle with how they look like my best friend and my mother. It really breaks my heart. That is why I feel that this book is a great spring board for us to talk about issues that affect our self esteem and how do we encourage others to accept themselves as they are.
I would recommend this to my mother and everyone. You really can take away something from this book. Perhaps it is a new perspective or feeling more comfortable in your skin. There is alot to take away. It might just make your day. I did not expect myself to enjoy this as much as I did.
The two main characters write blogs on weight. Shoshana's blog is Fat and Fabulous, inspired by her sister, she started the blog to encourage plus sized and overweight women to be positive and healthy. She is plus sized herself being 215 pounds but okay with that.
Alexis's blog is Skinny Chick and she believes that once you are overweight something is wrong with you. She is nearly a size 0. Always sarcastic, stringent and routine with her life, she counts her calories on an app in her phone daily.
The two women meet on Oprah and find that they have nothing in common, they argue and leave feeling bad. Then they go back to their lives. I think it is really interesting that the author made a fat and skinny mc and than slowly made them the same weight through different circumstances.
Shoshana has a loving family, both her mother and sister are plus sized and support her entirely. She has a great support group of friends who are there for her. I loved that Shosana was okay with who she was and her weight. It is very unusual to find this kind of person in society now. But it was relatable that she experienced bullying in her teenage years about how she looks. She remembers it and choses to be strong.
I loved reading from Shosana's pov as she is witty, fun and loving. I love her outlook in life which is balance, eat healthy, exercise regularly but enjoy eating what you love in moderation. I liked that the author did not make Shoshana fell in love with a guy as part of a journey. Which is a wont to do in most books. I would have been very disappointed if that had happened. I liked that the author made it more about her growth and personal achievements. She did not put out the message that "You need a man to feel complete". There are many books that disappointingly have this message.
Alexis lives with her bestie Billy, who is gay. They have been friends since college. She gave up her studies in law to pursue her passion - writing. Her father threw her out of the house for this. She is actually part of a wealthy family. She has alot to be angry about and hence why she is always negative. She has a daily routine for eating, exercising and work. If something changes she gets thrown off balance.
I understood how she feels and seeing her view on weight and Shoshana's view was great because I admit I am closer to Alexis view but Shoshana's really made me open my eyes to new ideas. I found out why Alexis is always angry and why she is the way she is. I love that the author threw her life into a tizzy so her perspective could change. I loved how much she cared for Billy and what she was willing to do for him. It was nice to see her realize that gaining weight made her look better, healthier and not some negative connotation.
I love the growth of both characters. The apple orchard idea was really cool! I would have loved to visit. It was great that the author made them find common ground and unite them in an ending that was perfect.
I think the weight issue really affects everyone and anyone. Women come in all shapes and sizes. Different weights. They do not fit into fat or skinny but usually in the middle. Why are we all obssessed with looking skinny and perfect like that model on the cover of that magazine or tv? Society has made girls, women, men and guys believe that perfect is beautiful and slim is the holy grail. Those blemish and imperfections free photos make us strive to achieve unrealistic goals. We constantly compare ourselves to the next person. Books have perfectly shaped female or male main characters that make us want to be them or feel inadequate.
The truth is those magazines use photoshop and retouching to get perfect pictures. Tons of makeup is used to get that flawless look on the models. I love GF magazine from Australia as they use readers as models for their fashion and beauty spreads and point out when a photo has been retouched and how much work goes into making the picture that goes into the magazine. More magazines should follow this. Helping girls to have realitic health goals and positive self image.
Slim and skinny does not mean healthy. Just the same that plus sized does not mean unhealthy.
I think it is silly that most immediately assume that skinny people should eat more and overweight people should just eat less. These stereotypes are woven into our brains and even I think them.
I do admit I struggled with how I looked and even at this time I still have days where I do not feel good. I compare myself to other girls and wonder why my thighs are not smaller or slimmer. It truly is a journey to self acceptance. I see people that are close to me struggle with how they look like my best friend and my mother. It really breaks my heart. That is why I feel that this book is a great spring board for us to talk about issues that affect our self esteem and how do we encourage others to accept themselves as they are.
I would recommend this to my mother and everyone. You really can take away something from this book. Perhaps it is a new perspective or feeling more comfortable in your skin. There is alot to take away. It might just make your day. I did not expect myself to enjoy this as much as I did.
April 9, 2024
I really liked the idea of this book. I liked quite a few things about it actually. But I felt like it would have been more effective if the chapters were shorter. I would get wrapped up in one character’s story and completely forget what was going on with the other. I had no idea where on the timeline we were. If there was more back and forth between each character’s story I think that might have helped. I was also expecting a little more crossover between the two main characters.
December 5, 2019
If I could give this book negative stars, I would. I couldn't get through the second chapter because of the many many stereotypes that popped in so swiftly. The characters are one dimensional cardboard cutouts. The unnecessary brand dropping was another huge stumbling block for me. Just an unpleasant experience.
October 30, 2016
I really did not like this book at all in the beginning. I found the lead characters to be boring and uninteresting. At the end, it got better only because other characters were introduced and they made it interesting. Hence, the two-star rating as opposed to a one-star rating.
July 11, 2020
This book so so terribly edited...so many errors! I got to around page 100 and just had to call it quits...i love the idea of this book, but I just couldn't finish this one...not only were there GIANT holes in the plot, errors every few pages, it was also extremely wordy
February 20, 2024
I liked the story and the characters were memorable. I picked this up at the library as I’m reading my way through the stacks. However, the editing and fact checking is extremely poor. Too many examples to cite. Red delicious apples do NOT make a good apple pie!
May 8, 2017
Fast read, and I found it highly entertaining.
September 18, 2017
A feel good book about women and weight.
October 14, 2017
I really wanted to like this book and overall I did like the story... but this girl needs to fire her editor.
February 11, 2018
I enjoyed the story, but felt the writing was choppy and full of cliches.
February 22, 2018
This book was an ok as a fill in while you are waiting for another book. It wasn't my favourite. Shows how shallow people really are.
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