Paperweight Paperback – 7 Mar. 2017

Haven’t started reading the book yet but got here quickly. Only thing I have to say is that the outside cover of the book came slightly damaged but it’s not awful

This was a really hard read for me. A lot of Stevie’s internal monologue echoes how I feel about myself and my weight – sometimes eerily so. I kind of sped-read this so I wouldn’t have to spend too much time in her head, because it’s a lot like being in mine. I’ve had disordered eating in the past, and I strongly warn anyone else who has that this book might be triggering.“My body is both weapon and wound, predator and prey. I will self-destruct without any help.”Saying that, this has one of the best depictions recovery that I’ve read yet. It makes it very clear that recovery is a long journey, with many ups and downs. I really appreciated that, because too often in mental health narratives the characters are magically fixed with a quick dose of therapy/medication. The depiction of therapy was also very good – it reminded me of the one good therapist I’ve had, in that it took Stevie’s thoughts and feelings very seriously, never belittling her at all.There is also the under-riding theme about friendship in this book, which I found particularly interesting. (Quick spoiler alert: Stevie has a toxic friendship with a girl that turns sexual). This was contrasted with the sweet and understanding relationship she has with Ashley, another girl in the ED recovery programme. It really talks a lot about what true friends will do for you – how they will not sit back and let you destroy your life without comment. I thought this was very powerful. However, it did annoy me that the only LGBT+ representation in the book was with the manipulative friend.I don’t know if I could read this book again. But I’m very glad that I pushed through it – it made me feel less alone.Trigger warnings: Grief, physical and emotional abuse, suicide, depression, toxic friendships, negative body image, drinking and family neglect.

A difficult book to rate. I enjoyed it, and it was certainly compelling as I didn't want to put it down, but it wasn't brilliant.Stevie has been put in an inpatient eating disorders unit thousands (I think) of miles away from home, in the period leading up to the anniversary of her brother's death. It follows her treatment at the facility (well, only really the first month or so), and shows a lot of what happened in the previous year through flashbacks and conversation.First, I'll get through the 'practicality' niggles that I have. The girls at the unit wear bands: red for doing badly, yellow for doing okay, and green for being very pro-recovery. I can never imagine this happening at an eating disorder centre; it would cause so much competition amongst the patients. It just would not be a method used, although this seems to be a very individual unit, so who knows? Again, the likelihood of them being 'treated' to going horse riding seems unlikely. It doesn't seem to be based on their physical health, merely on how well they are complying. This would not be medically safe.Apart from that... I don't know. I liked Stevie, but I didn't quite believe in her. Her emotional turn arounds were, perhaps, realistic but as a reader they came across as confusing. The climax of the novel (no spoilers) wasn't as horrific as it should have been.That being said, it was compelling, I liked the characters, and a lot of the teenage-girl things that went on, despite being institutionalised, were dead-on accurate.I suppose what spoilt it for me, was the unbelievability of much of it. So, a mixed review.

I’ve read this book a few times, and every time is just as good as the first. I’m not sure what it is that makes me love it so much but it’s found a place in my heart. It makes me laugh and it makes me cry every single time without fail and I think that is amazing.

This book is the most honest and raw account of life with an eating disorder I’ve read. I found it both moving and interesting.The story centres around Stevie, a teenager who finds herself in an eating disorder treatment centre. There is also a backstory of an enigmatic woman who entrances both Stevie and her brother, with tragic consequences.I love how we see the stories that lead to people’s eating disorders. I love the characters. Stevie makes it so hard to like her, but in the end, she is a very lost and frightened young woman. Very moving.

I started reading this as a writer; noting techniques, Thoughts, character developments etc. But I ended reading this book as a reader. I couldn’t help myself. I was sucked into the world, I cared for Stevie, Josh and, particularly, Ashley.A strong suit for me was the development of character, especially throughout the use of names and titles. Stevie finding out her therapists surname, for example, was a pivotal moment for her.Nothing that I didn’t like (apart from wanting the characters well, and all good stories challenge that attachment). I also flew through this, read it very quickly, couldn’t put it down and thought about it when not being able to read.I wish Stevie well, I’ll miss you.

Good quality and amazing storyline I managed to read the book in two days (I’m quite a slow reader) and I managed to read at night without falling asleep. I don’t want to spoil the storyline but it’s worth it, it can be predictable but that doesn’t bother me. Although there are loads of TWs so beware of that

Focusing on the difficult process of treatment and recovery, along with issues around guilt and grief. I really enjoyed this. Stevie’s journey felt very genuine.