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Misfit
A beautiful and brave book - Emma Gannon Everyone should read this book - ModelTypeFace A thoughtful, honest and articulate voice - The Observer Witty - The Sun Packed full of honesty and insight - Dr Radha So, how did a slightly bonkers misfit with anorexia, bulimia and anxiety decide to solve their problems? I became a model. As you do._____Charli Howard had always wanted to be normal - but for some reason, she couldn't quite find out how to do it.As a teenager, she felt like the only one who struggled with anxiety and self-esteem issues when everyone else seemed to fit in. So she tried to embrace standing by becoming a model. Believing it would make her happy and envied, she set out single-mindedly to make it - and she achieved her dream. But the reality wasn't quite as glamorous as she'd hoped.The pressure on Charli to look a certain way took an extreme toll on her body and self-image, and no matter how thin she got, she was never thin enough.When Charli, though medically underweight, was fired by her modelling agency for being too big, she decided she'd had enough. She spoke out about the insane standards of the modelling industry, whose images influence young women and girls all over the world. Now, Charli is comfortable in her skin for the first time ever, working happily as a plus sized model in New York. Here, she shares her journey, from anorexic and bulimic teenager to happy, healthy twenty-something.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2018
22 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
December 30, 2018
This was enjoyable enough but I didn't get much out of it. Not saying anyone else won't, I just didn't. Loved the epilogue!
February 26, 2018
I always feel weird rating memoirs because it's someones life but anyway....
Back in 2015 my attention was bought to a facebook post. It was a 'fuck you' to the media and modelling agencies for demanding women to look a certain way, for pushing them to do so no matter the health risks. How this woman was not gonna stand for being told how her body should look to be deemed worthy, how it was dangerous for young women to grow up seeing only one body type and aiming to be that way because they thought it was perfect. That woman was Charli Howard and it's not appropriate to get too personal but I was at a very vulnerable time in my life and going through the worst of my own experience with eating disorders when I 'discovered' Charli. I found her voice and what she was adamant to speak up about refreshing and inspiring and since then I've followed her through her recovery, often alongside my own and and have been very influenced with her words, her public image of celebrating women's bodies in their natural state and size. Be it big or small or somewhere in between.
First of all this book has sensitive and triggering content, which is mentioned before the preface of this book so obviously don't read if you know it will be hard for you. The way she speaks about certain issues and words used to describe them have been recognised by Charli herself as potentially being problematic to some people, but again it's her story in her words and she doesn't claim this to be a mantra for girls to follow necessarily. She's simply sharing her story, but all this is mentioned in the 'dear reader' page before the preface.
The writing was candid and unfiltered, honest and illuminating. It was funny! I read it so fast and it all felt very intimate as if Charli herself was sat telling you all this, which in a way she is but it felt very Real. The writing is casual but also intellectual and flowed nicely. It's a story of her life and many things she has battled in it and overall leaves a message that being who you are is okay, that THAT is beautiful. It also reiterates there is help if you are struggling with mental health. You need only reach out and ask for it. The only thing I'd ask for was more of an account after she found the inclusive modelling agency and began the 'all women project' I'm sure there's more to be told.
I feel she is one of the many powerful female voices that are changing and helping young women. A very personal account and also a personal read but also I think everyone can find a tiny but of themselves in Charli's story.
Back in 2015 my attention was bought to a facebook post. It was a 'fuck you' to the media and modelling agencies for demanding women to look a certain way, for pushing them to do so no matter the health risks. How this woman was not gonna stand for being told how her body should look to be deemed worthy, how it was dangerous for young women to grow up seeing only one body type and aiming to be that way because they thought it was perfect. That woman was Charli Howard and it's not appropriate to get too personal but I was at a very vulnerable time in my life and going through the worst of my own experience with eating disorders when I 'discovered' Charli. I found her voice and what she was adamant to speak up about refreshing and inspiring and since then I've followed her through her recovery, often alongside my own and and have been very influenced with her words, her public image of celebrating women's bodies in their natural state and size. Be it big or small or somewhere in between.
First of all this book has sensitive and triggering content, which is mentioned before the preface of this book so obviously don't read if you know it will be hard for you. The way she speaks about certain issues and words used to describe them have been recognised by Charli herself as potentially being problematic to some people, but again it's her story in her words and she doesn't claim this to be a mantra for girls to follow necessarily. She's simply sharing her story, but all this is mentioned in the 'dear reader' page before the preface.
The writing was candid and unfiltered, honest and illuminating. It was funny! I read it so fast and it all felt very intimate as if Charli herself was sat telling you all this, which in a way she is but it felt very Real. The writing is casual but also intellectual and flowed nicely. It's a story of her life and many things she has battled in it and overall leaves a message that being who you are is okay, that THAT is beautiful. It also reiterates there is help if you are struggling with mental health. You need only reach out and ask for it. The only thing I'd ask for was more of an account after she found the inclusive modelling agency and began the 'all women project' I'm sure there's more to be told.
I feel she is one of the many powerful female voices that are changing and helping young women. A very personal account and also a personal read but also I think everyone can find a tiny but of themselves in Charli's story.
February 25, 2018
Thanks to Penguin Australia for sending me a copy of MISFIT for review.
I feel like sometimes I pick up a book at just the right time; when the message is going to resonate with me the most. I picked up MISFIT yesterday, and I couldn't have read it at a better moment. Although I wish I had read something like this in high school, because it definitely would've helped a lot, yesterday was just "one of those days" where I needed to hear a lot of the things that Charli spoke about.
I'm not sure how I'm supposed to review this book as I would any other, because it's a memoir and a story personal to the author. However, I can tell you how important her story is, and I think it's one that a lot of people can relate to. Charli's story is full of hope, especially for young girls who have grown up believing that their body should "look a certain way", because I've been there, and I'm sure a lot of people have too.
I picked MISFIT up on Sunday afternoon, but I wasn't too sure how I would feel about it because I felt like reading an fictional story rather than non-fiction. But after the first chapter, I knew I was going to love this book and I was going to struggle to put it down. This ended up being the case considering I finished it before I went to bed that night. The writing was so easy to fly through, and it was really humorous as well which made it fun to read; I actually found myself laughing out loud at some points. But, of course, there was also an emotional side to it as Charli is so honest and raw... and I may or may not have shed a tear or two toward the end.
Charli Howard is an inspiration, and her story - and others like hers - are extremely important to be told. There's a Facebook status that Charli wrote after she was dropped from her agency for being "too big/ out of shape" at a UK size 6-8, and I remember reading about it online at the time. The status is in the book, and there were certainly some things she wrote that really struck me; "I will no longer allow you to dictate to me what's wrong with my looks and what I need to change in order to be "beautiful"... I refuse to feel ashamed and upset on a daily basis for not meeting your ridiculous, unattainable beauty standards... in case you haven't realised, I am a woman. I am human." *insert "preach" emoji*
Overall, I loved this book, and thank you to Charli for sharing your story with the world. If I had read something like this when I was in high school, or if "curve models" were shown in the media more often, it definitely would've made me feel a lot better about myself!
"Standing out is so much better than fitting in".
I feel like sometimes I pick up a book at just the right time; when the message is going to resonate with me the most. I picked up MISFIT yesterday, and I couldn't have read it at a better moment. Although I wish I had read something like this in high school, because it definitely would've helped a lot, yesterday was just "one of those days" where I needed to hear a lot of the things that Charli spoke about.
I'm not sure how I'm supposed to review this book as I would any other, because it's a memoir and a story personal to the author. However, I can tell you how important her story is, and I think it's one that a lot of people can relate to. Charli's story is full of hope, especially for young girls who have grown up believing that their body should "look a certain way", because I've been there, and I'm sure a lot of people have too.
I picked MISFIT up on Sunday afternoon, but I wasn't too sure how I would feel about it because I felt like reading an fictional story rather than non-fiction. But after the first chapter, I knew I was going to love this book and I was going to struggle to put it down. This ended up being the case considering I finished it before I went to bed that night. The writing was so easy to fly through, and it was really humorous as well which made it fun to read; I actually found myself laughing out loud at some points. But, of course, there was also an emotional side to it as Charli is so honest and raw... and I may or may not have shed a tear or two toward the end.
Charli Howard is an inspiration, and her story - and others like hers - are extremely important to be told. There's a Facebook status that Charli wrote after she was dropped from her agency for being "too big/ out of shape" at a UK size 6-8, and I remember reading about it online at the time. The status is in the book, and there were certainly some things she wrote that really struck me; "I will no longer allow you to dictate to me what's wrong with my looks and what I need to change in order to be "beautiful"... I refuse to feel ashamed and upset on a daily basis for not meeting your ridiculous, unattainable beauty standards... in case you haven't realised, I am a woman. I am human." *insert "preach" emoji*
Overall, I loved this book, and thank you to Charli for sharing your story with the world. If I had read something like this when I was in high school, or if "curve models" were shown in the media more often, it definitely would've made me feel a lot better about myself!
"Standing out is so much better than fitting in".
April 18, 2018
Charlie Howard became famous after the controversial Tweet she wrote when her agency dropped her for being ‘too big’ for their standards. She was done with it and decided to embrace her womanly figure and stop fighting herself and her body in order to make others happy.
This book covers her whole life and how her anxiety and eating disorders progressed throughout her teenage years. It was scary reading her thought processes and find they were very similar to mine (and I am sure many girls our age as well). We grew up surrounded by perfect looking models and how could that not have affected our confidence?
Now with Photoshop every single imperfection is edited out, which probably makes ours stand out even more.
I am glad media is finally becoming more accepting of different figures, shapes and sizes as it was about time. Hopefully the momentum keeps going as I would hate to see another generation of kids affected by eating disorders and low confidence.
This book covers her whole life and how her anxiety and eating disorders progressed throughout her teenage years. It was scary reading her thought processes and find they were very similar to mine (and I am sure many girls our age as well). We grew up surrounded by perfect looking models and how could that not have affected our confidence?
Now with Photoshop every single imperfection is edited out, which probably makes ours stand out even more.
I am glad media is finally becoming more accepting of different figures, shapes and sizes as it was about time. Hopefully the momentum keeps going as I would hate to see another generation of kids affected by eating disorders and low confidence.
December 18, 2018
In the beginning, Charli said this is not a self-help book, and it may be true for some people, but it kinda helped me. I felt so connected to her and her struggles, less alone in mine, and I loved the way she tells her story, in a simple and funny way. As she said, sarcasm and jokes are the best way to exorcise your demons: I do that too sometimes.
I'm not gonna lie, some parts were kinda triggering, but I couldn't put this books down without knowing how it ended. It was addicting! 10/10 recommend!
I'm not gonna lie, some parts were kinda triggering, but I couldn't put this books down without knowing how it ended. It was addicting! 10/10 recommend!
August 16, 2020
4.5/5 stars
January 18, 2019
This was such a powerful read, I enjoyed it.
January 9, 2021
Don’t want to hate too hard as this is a memoir, but seems to kind of gently gloss over a lot of mental health issues and was not as relatable as I had hoped when I picked this up off the best sellers table at WHSmith. I wish I had bought Cadbury creme eggs instead of this book honestly. I gave it 2 stars bc I’m nice and it did help me sleep on the plane ✈️
November 26, 2021
Read this with intention and care.
I read this out of curiosity - it's gone through some of our students like wildfire and I wanted to know what all the fuss was about.
Firstly, I enjoyed it. Charli is open, honest, and likeable. Secondly, I think this could have had a good edit. Lastly, during the middle I did question my own weight and considered going on a diet so BE WARNED! By the end though, I did snap out of it.
I read this out of curiosity - it's gone through some of our students like wildfire and I wanted to know what all the fuss was about.
Firstly, I enjoyed it. Charli is open, honest, and likeable. Secondly, I think this could have had a good edit. Lastly, during the middle I did question my own weight and considered going on a diet so BE WARNED! By the end though, I did snap out of it.
June 18, 2018
Aspiring model Charli grew up battling with anxiety, depression, OCD and eating disorders anorexia and bulima.
Her turbulent life she lays all to bear and free to judge by us as she gives us an insight into her crazy life growing up abroad, in a boarding school as well as struggling to fit in at school and in the adult world to get a good boyfriend and a sparkling brilliant career all however, at the cost of her true happiness we soon learn as she struggles to become a signed model.
Despite aspiring to be a model and shrinking in size, Charli had to learn to live herself despite the harsh critics and the way she discusses her treatment from certain modelling agencies is truly horrific and appalling.
Frank in her account and her battle with mental health, Charli had told her account and story with strength and courage to make the most of her now more positive movement thanks to finding a respectful modelling agency that embraces more shapely women after all women are curvier most of the time!
Embracing the body positive movement for sure, Charli and her book will remembered for how modelling has changed and how it can effect young girls too.
Her turbulent life she lays all to bear and free to judge by us as she gives us an insight into her crazy life growing up abroad, in a boarding school as well as struggling to fit in at school and in the adult world to get a good boyfriend and a sparkling brilliant career all however, at the cost of her true happiness we soon learn as she struggles to become a signed model.
Despite aspiring to be a model and shrinking in size, Charli had to learn to live herself despite the harsh critics and the way she discusses her treatment from certain modelling agencies is truly horrific and appalling.
Frank in her account and her battle with mental health, Charli had told her account and story with strength and courage to make the most of her now more positive movement thanks to finding a respectful modelling agency that embraces more shapely women after all women are curvier most of the time!
Embracing the body positive movement for sure, Charli and her book will remembered for how modelling has changed and how it can effect young girls too.
April 8, 2018
4/5 stars.
/SPOILER-FREE REVIEW/
/TRIGGER WARNINGS/: EATING DISORDERS, MENTAL ILLNESSES, DEPRESSION
What I thought about it, roughly:
Very interesting, it opened my eyes to things that I knew existed but I knew so little about.
What I thought about it, in details:
As this is a memoir, I'm not going to review the book as I usually do with fiction (characters/plot/etc/).
I think it's quite hard to review and grade a biography because you're basically rating someone's life, but I'm going to try to give an objective point of view on the book.
I think the story is a very important story and it needs to be talked about way more in the media and everywhere in the world, because it's something that everyone knows (i.e. that models often have mental illnesses because they need to fit into certain categories of beauty and because they pressure themselves to look "prettier"). I've always known that it existed and that the model industry can be very cruel, but I wasn't aware that it's THAT bad. I wasn't aware of the impact that the industry has on young models and also young girls. Personally, I've never really cared about models in magazines or perfect girls that we see in the TV because I always knew it wasn't reality and everything, so it didn't touch me as much as it did to other girls. Of course, I've had my fair share of mean comments from bullies at school and I actually suffered a lot from it, but I always had friends and family to support me as I always told them everything. However, there are thousands of girls out there that believe that they should look like what they see in magazines, what they see everywhere even though most of them are photoshopped and even though beauty is very relative and every woman out there is beautiful.
This book opened my mind to how cruel and coldhearted people can be when it comes to the model industry and I actually didn't know it was that bad. It was very heartbreaking to read this book as Charli Howard dealt with very, very serious mental illnesses that really destroyed her teenage and young woman years and it all started with mean comments from friends around her or with the image of women that the world gives girls. It shows the impact on one single comment shot at the wrong time of your life can destroy you from within.
I study psychology and I know all there is to know clinically on eating disorders or mental illnesses in general, but reading it and being in the head of someone suffering from it is very heartbreaking and it really made me understand way more on a lot of levels.
I was close to giving it 5/5 stars, but the writing is not very exceptional and also the fact that it doesn't present any kind of help from the family of the victim was quite shocking for me (even though I know, it's a real story, it kind of made me feel like it doesn't give a really good message to young people dealing with this kind of illnesses).
/SPOILER-FREE REVIEW/
/TRIGGER WARNINGS/: EATING DISORDERS, MENTAL ILLNESSES, DEPRESSION
What I thought about it, roughly:
Very interesting, it opened my eyes to things that I knew existed but I knew so little about.
What I thought about it, in details:
As this is a memoir, I'm not going to review the book as I usually do with fiction (characters/plot/etc/).
I think it's quite hard to review and grade a biography because you're basically rating someone's life, but I'm going to try to give an objective point of view on the book.
I think the story is a very important story and it needs to be talked about way more in the media and everywhere in the world, because it's something that everyone knows (i.e. that models often have mental illnesses because they need to fit into certain categories of beauty and because they pressure themselves to look "prettier"). I've always known that it existed and that the model industry can be very cruel, but I wasn't aware that it's THAT bad. I wasn't aware of the impact that the industry has on young models and also young girls. Personally, I've never really cared about models in magazines or perfect girls that we see in the TV because I always knew it wasn't reality and everything, so it didn't touch me as much as it did to other girls. Of course, I've had my fair share of mean comments from bullies at school and I actually suffered a lot from it, but I always had friends and family to support me as I always told them everything. However, there are thousands of girls out there that believe that they should look like what they see in magazines, what they see everywhere even though most of them are photoshopped and even though beauty is very relative and every woman out there is beautiful.
This book opened my mind to how cruel and coldhearted people can be when it comes to the model industry and I actually didn't know it was that bad. It was very heartbreaking to read this book as Charli Howard dealt with very, very serious mental illnesses that really destroyed her teenage and young woman years and it all started with mean comments from friends around her or with the image of women that the world gives girls. It shows the impact on one single comment shot at the wrong time of your life can destroy you from within.
I study psychology and I know all there is to know clinically on eating disorders or mental illnesses in general, but reading it and being in the head of someone suffering from it is very heartbreaking and it really made me understand way more on a lot of levels.
I was close to giving it 5/5 stars, but the writing is not very exceptional and also the fact that it doesn't present any kind of help from the family of the victim was quite shocking for me (even though I know, it's a real story, it kind of made me feel like it doesn't give a really good message to young people dealing with this kind of illnesses).
August 29, 2024
girlhood is universal. No matter the country or the time period, we are prone to the same situations. That’s how the men-led system functions and how it hurts us in the end.
I personally don’t know any woman in my life who hasn’t been affected by ED over the course of their lives. It’s a fucked up ‘norm’ we got to live with.
Yes, it’s always in the back of your mind. Therapy is great so are the learnings you get along the way. You become calmer, more satisfied with yourself. Days seem brighter when your calories are not under 1,000 per day. It takes time to heal and get there.
But there are times when you snap. Get to the point where it has all started. Picking groceries inspecting nutrition facts first. Anxiously hoping that one day without working out wouldn’t do harm. Feeling uneasy after that piece of cake you actually ‘didn’t need’. Yep, sometimes it’s so easy to go back to old ways.
However, it’s a part of the journey. And it’s up to us to resist the urge to start self-destructive behavioural patterns again. Is it even worth it in the end? The answer is no. It’s not. Living guided by numbers is not cool at all.
Thank you Charli for sharing your experience that indeed resonates with a lot of women!
I personally don’t know any woman in my life who hasn’t been affected by ED over the course of their lives. It’s a fucked up ‘norm’ we got to live with.
Yes, it’s always in the back of your mind. Therapy is great so are the learnings you get along the way. You become calmer, more satisfied with yourself. Days seem brighter when your calories are not under 1,000 per day. It takes time to heal and get there.
But there are times when you snap. Get to the point where it has all started. Picking groceries inspecting nutrition facts first. Anxiously hoping that one day without working out wouldn’t do harm. Feeling uneasy after that piece of cake you actually ‘didn’t need’. Yep, sometimes it’s so easy to go back to old ways.
However, it’s a part of the journey. And it’s up to us to resist the urge to start self-destructive behavioural patterns again. Is it even worth it in the end? The answer is no. It’s not. Living guided by numbers is not cool at all.
Thank you Charli for sharing your experience that indeed resonates with a lot of women!
April 13, 2021
Lol I wrote a literal essay about this book but decided I was far to hateful and harsh to charli especially when talking about her own life. So I just wanted to say i found the text very patronising and condescending. It was far to specific with details of her eating disorder and so very triggering. And it focuses too little on recovery and too much on how to guide of mental illness. I related very much with charli and there were times when I found it helpful, however personally it was very harmful. Unfortunately your story was twisted in my brain and caused me to hear what I wanted to hear from the book and I am afraid the same thing may happen to other teens, with already vulnerable mental battles.
I would not recommend this to someone struggling with self image or their relationship with food, but if you would like to be educated on the harshness of mental illness then Go for it.
I would not recommend this to someone struggling with self image or their relationship with food, but if you would like to be educated on the harshness of mental illness then Go for it.
November 26, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and the way that Charli writes about her eating disorders and experience as a model with such honesty. Charli never shied away from admitting her darkest struggles or experiences, which was one of the biggest things that made this book appeal to me. Plus, her writing was quite funny at times, giving the book the feel of talking to your friend. Ultimately, this book was about learning to love yourself as you are and overcoming negative self talk, a really important message to share.
This book did feel a little young adult at times, which isn’t a criticism in my opinion but for some readers who might want a more heavy hitting way of talking about eating disorders, this might not be the one.
This book did feel a little young adult at times, which isn’t a criticism in my opinion but for some readers who might want a more heavy hitting way of talking about eating disorders, this might not be the one.
April 12, 2018
10/10 : I already knew I loved Charli, & this was confirmed, when, by page 3 of her book, she’d already referenced Mr Blobby. Misfit is both a heartbreaking & uplifting read, a memoir about Charli’s twenty year struggle with mental health issues, eating disorders & an altogether unhealthy environment. Whilst I can’t relate to the modelling specific aspects of the book, I CAN relate to a life of low self esteem, low self respect & low self confidence. These issues still blight me today, although I understand them more now. I think Charli has a lot of wisdom to offer women of the world, & I found her honesty & openness touching & brave.
January 25, 2019
This book was ok especially if you were anorexic, or bulimic. It touches on bullying, bad face image etc. I guess we all suffer this growing up, more for some, less for others. I know what it feels like. I remember looking in my mirror thinking I looked fat/ugly. I was size 6, weighing 6 stone. Looking at photos I can see my bones sticking out. None of my family/friends commented, or got me help. I got help later in life. I am actually a bit overweight now, but I do not care anymore I am happy with myself. Looking back I was like the writer, very unhappy with myself/life back then. I would recommend this book.
June 2, 2018
Would have finished this book alot sooner than this evening but I had to go to work so had to put it down but whilst I was reading it I couldn't put it down. I thought was a very honest and brutal account of what people will do to become "happy". Only marked it down as she didn't want to talk about certain events in her life which is fine but didn't feel like a full picture was made because of this. Really liked it though and glad to have read it. Found this by accident on Amazon for a really good price and I'm really glad I bought it.
November 16, 2018
Loved it!!
What a great read! It was so raw and honest that i could FEEL the suffering. I could relate to this book so much, as I too have a history of eating disorders. The fashion industry sounds like pure hell and not at all glamorous as we are lead to believe. I find it SO hard to believe that the author thought she was ugly (she’s beautiful) but I remind myself, it’s how you feel on the inside. I wish I was that ‘ugly’.
Very inspiring book that makes me want to embrace my own flaws :)
What a great read! It was so raw and honest that i could FEEL the suffering. I could relate to this book so much, as I too have a history of eating disorders. The fashion industry sounds like pure hell and not at all glamorous as we are lead to believe. I find it SO hard to believe that the author thought she was ugly (she’s beautiful) but I remind myself, it’s how you feel on the inside. I wish I was that ‘ugly’.
Very inspiring book that makes me want to embrace my own flaws :)
September 12, 2020
One of the best books I‘ve read so far!!!
It helped me to understand my problems and better than that it encourages me to see myself and topics like eating disorders in another light.
It shows that the whole modeling scene is a huge failure and that it has to change because our world is more than black and white.
I recommend this book to everyone who suffers under problems like eating disorders, body negativity and unhealthy diets because it will really helps you to understand your problems and maybe to change something.
A big thank you to Charli!!!
It helped me to understand my problems and better than that it encourages me to see myself and topics like eating disorders in another light.
It shows that the whole modeling scene is a huge failure and that it has to change because our world is more than black and white.
I recommend this book to everyone who suffers under problems like eating disorders, body negativity and unhealthy diets because it will really helps you to understand your problems and maybe to change something.
A big thank you to Charli!!!
April 21, 2021
Your decisions may not please certain people at the time, but you're not put on this planet to please other people. Unless you're hurting someone, why shouldn't you go out and achieve your dreams?
Meh. Not a fan.
I didn't like Charli's voice and I think she downplayed or right out ignored mental health issues.
It was also SO repetitive! Of course, it was a lot about her eating disorder, but she didn't really talk about her recovery. I therefore think that the book isn't even remotely suitable for people with eating disorder. I think it could be quite triggering.
Thinking about it, I changed my rating from two stars to one star. I don't think there was a single aspect I enjoyed. Adding to that, I removed it from my feminism shelf.
Meh. Not a fan.
I didn't like Charli's voice and I think she downplayed or right out ignored mental health issues.
It was also SO repetitive! Of course, it was a lot about her eating disorder, but she didn't really talk about her recovery. I therefore think that the book isn't even remotely suitable for people with eating disorder. I think it could be quite triggering.
Thinking about it, I changed my rating from two stars to one star. I don't think there was a single aspect I enjoyed. Adding to that, I removed it from my feminism shelf.
January 15, 2022
Everyone has a story to tell and this was the author’s experience with her declining mental health and her immense struggle with eating disorders. In this sense, judging it doesn’t feel completely right.
But the way this is told reads very unhealthy to me and it doesn’t feel like it would uplift anyone going through these things, or make them feel less alone. I have gone through these things myself and yet I found this story/ the author very hard to relate to.
I only found this book okay and really think it should have been told in a gentler, more tactful way.
But the way this is told reads very unhealthy to me and it doesn’t feel like it would uplift anyone going through these things, or make them feel less alone. I have gone through these things myself and yet I found this story/ the author very hard to relate to.
I only found this book okay and really think it should have been told in a gentler, more tactful way.
June 16, 2019
As somebody who has suffered with eating disorders, insecurities, self-esteem issues and not feeling good enough through out my teens and early adult life this book really put things into perspective of how we compare ourselves and look at others. An honest incite into how models are really treated and feel within the industry. Really enjoyed this the epilogue and last few chapters made the book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2018
Charli gave a great description of how she felt when she was going through truly bad times but I was hoping for more information about how she came through it, how she healed. There really wasn't much on that at all. Towards the end of the book she says she gets a better body image but that's about it.
December 31, 2019
This is such a hard book to read, not because of the subject matter but because she is patronising and condescending. The author is quite obnoxious and arrogant and therefore it is not an interesting book. I appreciate that this may be the mental illness tjat makes it appear this way but it is a real let down to the reader
September 29, 2022
Favorite quotes:
‘Some people say that if a boy is mean to you, it means he fancies you. I can categorically tell you that if a boy is mean to you, it’s because he’s a dick. Don’t let anyone treat you badly under the illusion it’s a crush. You deserve so much better than that.’ -p.40
‘Unless you’re hurting someone, why shouldn’t you go out and achieve your dreams?’ -p.104
‘Some people say that if a boy is mean to you, it means he fancies you. I can categorically tell you that if a boy is mean to you, it’s because he’s a dick. Don’t let anyone treat you badly under the illusion it’s a crush. You deserve so much better than that.’ -p.40
‘Unless you’re hurting someone, why shouldn’t you go out and achieve your dreams?’ -p.104
November 2, 2025
This was a raw, vulnerable and honest memoir of womanhood and the body. I think it can be helpful for anyone of any age who struggles with identity. The writing leans towards teenagers but I think it’s easy to read and well paced. Whilst I rated this 2 starts, I am glad I read this. I connected to many elements of this and Howard’s bravery and authenticity is worth it.
January 10, 2019
I personally enjoyed the book very much.
I could understand and resonate with a large majority of what the author speaks about and I think the metaphorical way it is spoke about as “the brain deviant” is genius.
Brilliant read.
I could understand and resonate with a large majority of what the author speaks about and I think the metaphorical way it is spoke about as “the brain deviant” is genius.
Brilliant read.
June 14, 2019
I really admire Charli Hughes but I didn't really enjoy this that much if I'm honest, it was interesting to read about how she ended up where she is today but I felt the writing style to be a bit amateur and irritating in parts. An easy book to read but not enthralling in any way.
February 26, 2020
2.5 stars
It was a good book, but it just got so repetitive. I feel like it missed out on key moments, ie losing her virginity or getting engaged. I feel like how she got better or changed her life was rushed and didn’t have the same amount of detail as I would have liked.
It was a good book, but it just got so repetitive. I feel like it missed out on key moments, ie losing her virginity or getting engaged. I feel like how she got better or changed her life was rushed and didn’t have the same amount of detail as I would have liked.
August 30, 2021
Like many commentors here, I feel a little weird rating a memoir in general. I really, really felt for Charli and her journey has been super inspirational but her writing just felt very flat and quite repetitive to me!
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