Also, Jemima J Sucks

Last night I finished re-reading an old favorite book of mine, Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York. I don't know where or when I acquired this book, but I've had my old battered copy for years, and I like to re-read it from time to time. It reminded me of this Fatty McBlog discussion about books for fat chicks, although it isn't about empowerment, really. Sheila, an overweight Jewish girl from New York with low self esteem, has decided to kill herself because she isn't married. The book is her suicide note. It's a little dated (it was written in the '70s) and sexually pretty graphic, but Sheila is a damn likeable character, and I think every woman will recognize a bit of themselves in Sheila. At one point, Sheila is getting advice from a friend and says something like, "I listened to Linda because she seemed to know about these things. Actually, I listened to anyone who was thin." Painfully, hilariously honest. I just thought I'd toss that into the ring. Hopefully your local library has a copy!