skin & bones: a novel

by Renée Watson

From the acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a soulful and lyrical novel exploring sisterhood, motherhood, faith, love, and ultimately what gets passed down from one generation to the next   At 40, Lena Baker is at a steady and stable moment in life—between wine nights with her two best friends and her wedding just weeks away, she’s happy in love and in friendship until a confession on her wedding day shifts her world. Unmoored and grieving a major loss, Lena finds herself trying to teach her daughter self-love while struggling to do so herself. Lena questions everything she’s learned about dating, friendship, and motherhood, and through it all, she works tirelessly to bring the oft-forgotten Black history of Oregon to the masses, sidestepping her well-meaning co-workers that don’t understand that their good intentions are often offensive and hurtful. Through Watson’s poetic voice, skin & bones is a stirring exploration of who society makes space for and is ultimately a story of heartbreak and healing.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Literary Fiction, Contemporary, African American, Friendship, Adult

416 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2024

About the author

Renée Watson is the author of the children’s picture book, A Place Where Hurricanes Happen (Random House, June 2010), which was featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Her middle grade novel, What Momma Left Me debuted as the New Voice for 2010 in middle grade fiction by The Independent Children's Booksellers Association.

Renée’s one woman show, Roses are Red, Women are Blue, debuted at New York City's Lincoln Center at a showcase for emerging artists. Her poetry and articles have been published in Rethinking Schools, Theatre of the Mind and With Hearts Ablaze.

When Renée is not writing and performing, she is teaching. Renée has worked in public schools and community organizations as an artist in residence for several years, teaching poetry, fiction, and theater in Oregon, Louisiana, and New York City. She also facilitates professional development workshops for teachers and artists.

One of Renée’s passions is using the arts to help youth cope with trauma. She has facilitated poetry and theatre workshops with young girls coping with sexual and physical abuse, children who have witnessed violence, children coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and children who relocated to New York City after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Renée graduated from The New School, where she studied Creative Writing and earned a certificate in Drama Therapy.

Renée currently lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Crystal (Melanatedreader) Forte' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished a book today! The best way I can describe my experience of reading Skin and Bones by Renee Watson is this one is for the grown “big girls” or… people who have felt all the emotions in their skin… #20booksbyblackfolx So beautifully done.

[D’Arcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had no idea this book would impact me the way it has. Enjoyed her style of writing, how I snickered out loud, awed or started crying. It opens your eyes and heart, hopefully! I got it from the library, but will be purchasing it to have.

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeously written meditation on family, fatness, faith, motherhood, and female friendships written in vignettes. I worried about the whole vignette format and whether Watson’s YA & MG excellence would carry well into adulthood fiction and she nailed it. Thanks to Kate at The Mindful Librarian Substack for the final nudge to read this one! Really great storytelling and excellent on audio. Can’t wait for whatever Watson does next.

[Rincey · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I knew I loved him when I realized we could survive Wednesdays. Wednesdays are nothing days. Anyone can love on a weekend, be around for the exciting, for the thrill. I’ve dated guys who love me for the big moments. Friday guys. Saturday loves. But love me on a rainy Wednesday afternoon when nothing is on television but reruns, love me when I’m not the life of the party because there is no party, when there is no work promotion to celebrate, no event to dress up for, no lights, no camera."

A beautiful book about heartbreak, healing, and figuring out exactly who you are and who you want to be. I do think the writing style/short chapters may not be for everyone but I really enjoyed my time with this book.

Watch my full review here: https://youtu.be/sQWJKjWB3fA

[Lit_eraryqueen (Salena C.) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I have a new favorite book! A book I will reread and probably glean something new each time! This one is for us! This one is Black History. Black Present. Black for all time 🖤 I see me. My mother. My daughter. My aunties. My Grandmothers. My sisters and my friends. A Love letter to all of who've made ourselves smaller to make others more comfortable. Take up your space. We are here! READ THIS BOOK! 👏🏾👏🏾

[⌞giselle⌝ · Rating 3 out of 5]

lyrical & poetic prose. poignant. felt depressed reading it fr, but overall it's aight.

[Jenn [everythingshereads] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single one of my mutuals has given this book a five star rating… and there is a reason why!

What piqued my interest in “skin & bones” was the fact that it was literary fiction written from the perspective of a Black woman in her forties, and lord knows we desperately need more stories with older protagonists.

Lena is a plus-sized single mother who, for the most part, has the perfect life. She has an amazing friend group, a close-knit family, a stable job, and is planning her wedding with the love of her life. On her wedding day, however, a confession from her fiance overturns her entire world.

Skin & bones discusses very important themes, primarily around the intersectional experience of being both plus-sized and Black in America. Lena has been through much, and continues to navigate spaces where she is not welcomed in this book.

This is the second book that I’ve read this year (the first being Heavy by Kiese Laymon) that focuses on diet in the Black community and how it affects our bodies, and I think this is a conversation that needs to be had more often and more openly. As Lena grapples with all of the sudden major changes in her life, she is forced to reflect on her upbringing, her relationships with men, her relationship with her daughter and friends, her relationship with the church and food, and her perception of self and beauty.

This book made me cry many, many times.

Five stars from me too!

Thank you to the publisher (hbgcanada & @littlebrown) for the gifted physical advanced copy and for an e-ARC on Netgalley!

[Bria Celest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to give this book 5 stars because it’s the first book in a long time I found myself annotating and I annotated ALOT of it.

My favorite things about this book are the characters. They feel so real. I can see my own friends in Lena and her friend group; they’re different but bonded and have each others backs. They help each other grow & they’re all on their own paths but still together. The dialogue felt very real and down to earth.

The themes were handled extremely well and with care. Some big issues were tackled such as existing as a Black woman, existing as a plus sized woman, being a mother to a Black daughter, being in a world not meant for you, love, forgiveness, generational trauma, what healing takes and what community means. I really loved the authors light handedness and the fact that the characters don’t have everything figured out and are still growing and learning, even at 40+. I also really appreciated the spotlight of Portland’s Black history!

One of my fave quotes: “We found a way to make a way, Grandma used to tell me.” I feel like that can extend to so much & is the overall thesis of the story. Loved it, absolutely recommend.

[nay · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book felt like a really big warm hug. an ode to black women in all of our complexities. the love for black culture was present throughout, celebrating our joy, pain, and the way we show up for one another.

renée watson highlights the necessity of body positivity, intentional love, forgiveness, and showing how love is a practice we extend to others and ourselves. overall, this book signifies the importance of finding sanctuary in our relationships with our (girls)friends and our family. I absolutely loved everything about this.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Renée 😭💔 I can hardly put into words what a beautiful and heartbreaking and soulful book this was. It was hard to read at times, but I loved the pacing, I loved her inclusion of poetry, and I feel deeply moved by her words and the story she tells. 4.5 ✨.

[jocelyn • coolgalreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh wow. this was stunning.

[Laura (thenerdygnomelife) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time this book came up on my library holds, I snoozed it because I forgot that it had been recommended to me and I couldn't even remember reserving it. I mention that because, on face value, this wasn't something I felt in the mood for. I'm happy to share, though, that I was drawn in to Lena's story essentially from page one. The book has a strong voice that kept me engaged throughout.

"Skin and Bones" deals with the themes of prejudice, body acceptance, racism, mental health, parenting, loyalty, and friendship — touching on all these complex themes in very accessible ways. Even though the plot held few similarities to my own personal experiences, the character development ensured that Lena's experiences still feel relatable. As realistic contemporary fiction, it almost had the feel of a memoir.

I found the novel to be a wonderful mental exercise that allowed me to examine my own potential prejudices and even my own unhealthy relationships with food. I actually thought I had a pretty positive concept of food so that surprised me. While, objectively speaking, the subject matter is quite serious and has the potential to be heavy, I did not feel like I was carrying emotional weight for the characters, instead, I simply walked alongside them. The character development was well done, so I found myself deeply caring for the characters and their relationships with each other. Body shaming and body size are not often put under such a close microscope in fiction, but they should be.

[britt_brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of hearing Watson speak at Southern Festival of Books. Here, she teaches us the history of Black Portland through three lifelong friends. As they navigate life in general, they speak to micro- and macro-aggressions regarding skin color and body size. An accurate portrayal of female friendship; simultaneously painfully honest and dishonest, with a permeating theme of self-love. Watson’s a poet at heart and it shows.

Watson’s beautiful middle grade book Ways to Make Sunshine was challenged in my county (Sumner County, Tennessee), but thankfully kept. You should read it, too. As should your kids.

[tre be · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skin & Bones was a soulful, poetic depiction expressing the Black woman's experience of just being that breathes life and relatability. The way people undermine you and look at you with disdain for your skin alone, then disgust for your body size. It's exhausting... and I think this story is pretty spot on.
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There were a lot of topics explored - the myth of "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me", motherhood, sisterhood, parenting, love & relationships, forgiveness, setting boundaries, body positivity, loving & accepting yourself in spite of how the world may ostracize you, and more. 
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A plethora of necessary topics and great gems that read like positive affirmations for Black women to take to heart. ✨
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I must say that this was quite the engaging read, but it was Aliyah that made the story grip me. The idea that our children are watching and paying close attention to what we do and that actions speak louder than words. I felt the way the Black history of the northwest was incorporated was enlightening, as well. 
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I liked Lena. I appreciated her confidence, but she seemed hyper aware of others' impressions of her. I especially loved her relationship with her daughter and how she tried her hardest to model positive examples for her daughter, pouring so much love into her. I think she was a well-rounded character, but she came off a bit self-righteous at times.
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The narration was very well done; she felt so personal as though we were having a close, heartfelt conversation. I had to look to see if the narrator was the author herself!
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I had never seen or heard of this book until about a month ago when a buddy read group chose it for our February BOTM. Great selection and great chat discussion!

[Nae · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!

[The Community Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y’all! Lena had a body that the girls are getting on the operating table for, and she is insecure about her luscious curves! People want that big ol’ butt and thighs. Lawd knows, I do! Most of the ladies in my family are confident, thick madams that are not afraid to strut their stuff, so it was hard to relate to Lena’s plight at first. I really had to open myself up to understand her perspective.

What really through me off was the format of the book. It’s sort of written in prose with vignettes of a story scattered about. This writing style made it difficult for me to connect with the characters, and I did see much growth within them.

The best part of the book was the emphasis on our children and how much they watch our actions. They often take on our insecurities. We need to be careful how we present ourselves in front of them. For some children, it’s the difference between life and death.

[MJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A single black woman faces her own insecurities with being plus size while navigating judgements from society & her family. This story is very character driven. Beautifully written with a sprinkle of drama.

[Tiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a stunning and thought provoking read about being fat and black in your body. Loved this

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was just beautiful! Reminds me of Roxanne Gay, but softer and more nuanced. The writing, the writing, the writing ... Just so poetic in a way that is so connected to the overall storyline, gave me similar feels to With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo. The story was just so rich and woven together in a way that gave substance and completeness. The chapters are short but each so meaningful. A deeply moving story about being a fat* black woman living in a very white American city, Portland, OR. This simple explanation about what this book is about is really the outer shell of a much more complex story. If you are Black, fat, a daughter, a mother, a best friend, or a minority navigating majority spaces, parts of this story will absolutely resonate with you. If you are none of these, then this is a master class on what it's like for those of us who fit within these demographics and you should settle in for not only an education, but a simple yet elegant perspective that will absolutely make you think. For parts of this book I felt so seen not only from an individual perspective, but also as someone who has been a part of a community like the one described within. This is also a love song to Portland's Black community, the power of women connection, forgotten history, Wednesday love, and showing up and showing out for yourself everyday.

* I used fat in this review, as this was the language used in this novel.

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like a breath of fresh air. It had everything I enjoyed. Sisterhood, mother-daughter relationships, romance, self care, discovery of self. The format that the author wrote it in was new to me, and At first I was a bit confused, but as I kept reading, I ended up loving the format. Lena was character that was complex but much needed.

The black history chapters were informative.

Overall this book was very good and I will be telling my fellow reader friends to obtain it.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher & of course the author for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Donttouchmypoodle✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed my read through of skin + bones. I thought it was an enjoyable and poignant read. The story is told through a collection of short stories and poems. There were many beautiful and heartbreaking lessons about sisterhood, love, being a mother, self care, racism in America (or rather, in the Pacific Northwest) and navigating this world as a fat, black, woman. The nonfiction sections regarding Oregon’s past were interesting. The chapters were short and the story kept my attention. I did not care for the ending but all in all it was a moving read that I’d recommend.

[Tisha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really could not get into this book. The writing style is not for me. I couldn’t determine whether I was supposed to be reading first person fiction, poetry or what. The subject matter definitely drew me in, and I truly wish it’d read like a “regular” story so that I could’ve enjoyed it more…or at all. I get the draw and appeal of wanting to both do and be something different in a world that feels saturated with sameness. This just—in my opinion—was not the way to go about it.

[Danya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between 3.75 & 4 stars

This book dives into microaggressions, fatphobia, and the erasure of Black history, and its impact on Black communities. I feel like I’ve highlighted almost every page on this book. I did find it slow from the 50-70% then it picked up again.
Personally I didn’t think it needed to be this long, but it also could be because my mind wanted to move on to something else.

Overall, I would recommend this book.

[Queen J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t make it through the second half. Maybe it gets better in the later half of the book. I got tired of the self-loathing, I’m fat narrative. I was annoyed and lost interest.

[Kaara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that shines when read in community with others. It's thought-provoking, celebratory, and heartbreaking. I loved the evolution of each character.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short chapters with a poetic bent, this book delves deep into racism and what it is to be a fat woman in society. It also goes into the history of the black community in Portland, so that was interesting. I think the last third of the book floundered a bit. It went from a story to being more a platform for espousing ideas that became repetitive. If you haven't explored any resources from fat communities or read other books that address racism, your mind might be blown. it's a good place to start. This book is pretty informative. If you have already been exposed to those ideas, you might feel more like I did.

[Juliauna Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the way this was written. It made it easy to read and I loved all the snippets and tidbits the author added. I felt the book took me on a journey through my blackness, reading through familiar feels and experiences, yet learning a few new things. Definitely would recommend.

[Ebony | ebonylovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skin & Bones is already my top read of the year. From the first page/chapter I was drawn in. I loved the writing style of this book. Written in a poetic style with prose as well.

This book touches on so many themes from fatphobia, black womanhood, black motherhood, black girlhood, self love and acceptance and soo much more.

I paired the audio with the physical book and I HIGHLY recommend. I loved the main character Lena so much. She was so relatable. I also loved her relationship with her daughter Aaliyah. As well as the exploration of complex mother daughter dynamics.

I’ve read nothing like this book before and was amazed at how seen I felt and how deeply this moved me.

This was my February Bookstagram buddy read and we had such a lively discussion and EVERYONE loved the book.

This book deserves all the stars!

[DeannaReadsandSleeps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning, and beautiful, and Black, and vulnerable, and loving, and a hug, and a lecture, and heartbreaking, and heartwarming, and healing. This is a book about motherhood, faith, sisterhood, grief, forgiveness, and our right to respect, to take up space, and to exist as all that we are.

I knew this would be a five star book by around 30 pages in, and will absolutely be reading more from Renée Watson.

[Smileitsjoy (JoyMelody) · Rating 5 out of 5]

nothing prepared me for this book and I am perfectly okay with that.
it was amazing and it is one I wish i could read again for the first time.

grab the tissue.