Running Around Naked: a memoir

by Jelaine Lombardi

“Beautifully and compassionately written, with raw honesty and a wicked sense of humor…” – Sylvia Clare, author of No Visible Injuries

When Jelaine’s parents purchased and moved the family into their own nudist camp, life slid off the rails of normalcy. Her childhood became divided between the casual, free-thinking camp and the uptight, judgmental world outside.

As hard as Jelaine worked to keep her two worlds separate, her parents worked equally hard to bring them together, to convert the world to nudism.

When theatrical plays, pageants and a movie production were thrown into the mix, the family secret became impossible to keep.

Join Jelaine for the struggles and capers of growing up naked. There’s no need to peek through the fence. Just throw off your inhibitions and come on in.

A real “coming-of-age” story like no other!

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

395 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2022

Reviews

[Sylvia Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

totally love this book, so honest and insightful, and an opening into a strange world for all of us non nudists. Well written with clear characters, a few too many to keep track of sometimes, but that might be my older brain anyway. Thought it a brave story to tell, but one that might open a few people's eyes to some of the more shallow 'values' they pretend to hold high

[Christina Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read!

Outside of the occasional skinny dip, I have no experience with this lifestyle, but I still found the author's story, insecurities, challenges, and desires very relatable.

I love how the author wrote from the point of view and voice of whatever age she was writing from throughout the book. Jelaine shares her story with honesty, humor, and vulnerability, giving the reader an entertaining and interesting insider account of her experiences of growing up in a nudist camp. She tells the tale without sensationalism or promotion and without judgment. It is simply a fresh, honest, and enjoyable account of her experiences.

I loved seeing beyond the fence into the world of nude pageants, plays, and adventures. It's not all nude volleyball and pageants, though, Jelaine struggles with self-confidence, shame, and longing for love and acceptance. Anyone who has ever felt like an outsider will find comfort in this book.

Jelaine's direct, relatable, and humorous writing style hooked me from the start and made this read a joy.

[Jean Marcos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second-naturist themed book that explores Jelaine and her upbringing in a naturist community. Essentially, it's a bunch of short stories from her past. Some of them are interesting, many of them are essentially boring anecdotes. I think its awesome to compile all your experiences from a journal into a book, but they did felt never-ending at times. Its fascinating how living this life really disconnects one from the "outside" world, as in people who are fixed on a negative idea of nudity.

Also the struggle of hers to relate to the people in her life, even in those communities the same dynamics of societal expectations, bullying, and pressures also exist. I felt for her when she struggled to find a relationship or even lose her virginity because everyone else had.

Too many characters to count but this makes sense. Its not a bad book, but it does drag.

The highlight is that many don't know or have an idea of how these dynamics work and the book does a good job at telling someone who grew up nudist's perspective. Also, its about how people change. People can go from full nudists to rejecting the whole lifestyle all together. We all do our best with what we want and what we think it's best for us. Good book nonetheless, but im happy to have finished it.

[Rica Ramos- Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this memoir because of the unusual nature of the author’s upbringing and her well-written intro. I’m a memoir fan and I appreciate the opportunity to view life through another person’s perspective. Lombardi certainly takes her readers on a fun journey through a life laid “bare” on the pages.

[Samm Corona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unusual subject matter that may not come to mind, but I’m glad I picked it up.
It’s a good read that puts you in the picture comfortably. I couldn’t put it down. Well written; I hope to see more from this author.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, above all, a beautiful and well crafted coming-of-age story. The writing feels very intimate and accessible, although the reference system - the nudist lifestyle - may be foreign to some readers. I deeply enjoyed this immersive experience.

[Carol Wakeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine growing up in a nudist camp. This is the true story of a girl for whom normal was being naked nearly all of the time. It was not inappropriate or abusive, just a way of life.
The author tells the story of her upbringing, with humour and candour. The quality of the writing is excellent with the use of dialogue and details to engage the reader. You grow up with the author as she shares her emotional journey and coming of age in a unique situation. This is also the story of her parents who are represented with love, respect and affection. You empathise with her struggle to inhabit two different worlds (she did wear clothes to go to school outside of the camp!) and how this contributed to the woman she became.
I bought the paperback which is well-produced with an engaging cover design and easy-to-read font. A really great read which I thoroughly recommend.

[Michele Gardiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because of my own childhood experiences at nudist beaches. I was a kid raised for years in the conservative suburbs, so living with nude adults wasn't a comfortable experience for me. I wanted to know this author's thoughts.

Being practically raised with nudism as a way of life since she was a toddler, it became Jelaine's norm. That makes sense. We each have ideas of what's "normal," usually based on our default experiences--how we were raised. But what I find truly interesting, and the thread that runs through this book, is her teen experiences. For many of us, those years are confusing enough. Then add in a lifestyle outside most people's idea of "normal."

Honest, thoughtful, and well-written.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely enthralled and barreled through this book in two days. It was a fantastic read. Though Jelaine grew up in some very unique surroundings- perhaps a complete 180 from my own upbringing- I could still relate to her feelings and experiences. I appreciated the raw honesty and perspective while she morphed from a young child to teenager. She tactfully answered a lot of questions I had in my mind when I started reading the book without making the nudest camp the central theme. As another reviewer stated, the camp experience was really a backdrop to her story. I finished the book invested in Jelaine and her extended family, and wanting to read more. Highly recommend!

[E.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and entertaining memoir

I came to the naturist lifestyle late in life, and have often wondered what it would have been like to have grown up in a more open minded, textile-free environment. After reading Jelaine’s memoir, I’m a little jealous. It wasn’t a perfect world by any measure, yet she grew up without many of the hang ups that brought grief and angst to my youth and teens.
Her forthright honesty, telling the beautiful and ugly events, and how they shaped her life and perspective, lends strength and believability to story.
I strongly recommend reading her book.

[zoagli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting and apparently true premise, but as a memoir, it reads as if it’s written by a kid. Maybe the style changed once the narrator grows up, but I doubt it. I gave up before my free 10% on Kindle were up.

[Rigoberto Villarruel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you!

A most wonderful memoir. Thank you for sharing and being steadfast with your intuition of men.
I became a home nudist. I miss the clubs that allowed a formerly married man to visit.
Regards,
Rigo V.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book by Jelaine Lombardi which describes growing up on a nudest camp back in the day. I loved the insight into Floridian life and could almost feel the southern accent drawling through the language. It is an honest coming of age book.

[Stella Nahatis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running Around Naked by Jelaine Lombardi takes us along on her journey in the nudist world. Jelaine does this with honesty and humor exposing her feelings of comfort and discomfort. We travel along, feeling her excitement, achievements, and disappointments. Lombardi’s story telling style, her introduction to various family members, and the family dynamics gives the reader a wide picture of living an alternative lifestyle. You will be informed and entertained.
Stella Nahatis, author of Taxi to America, a Greek Orphan’s Adoption Journey.

[Cove Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Bob P.
I finished the book Running Around Naked just in time for our next Book Club meeting. I'm looking forward to our discussion and meeting with Jelaine Lombardi, author.