Books › The earth, my butt, and other big, round things
The earth, my butt, and other big, round things
304 pages
A funny, fiercely honest journey of a girl learning to stop shrinking and start taking up the space she deserves.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting in a messy bedroom with your most relatable friend, sharing secrets while the rest of the world demands perfection. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging clip, driven by a wry and deeply self-deprecating voice that pulls you instantly into its intimate, angsty atmosphere. It perfectly captures the turbulent emotional texture of being a teenager who feels entirely out of place in her own life, especially within a family that prizes a toxic standard of flawlessness. As the illusions of that perfect family begin to shatter, the mood shifts from vulnerable isolation to a fierce, hard-won empowerment. It is a deeply comforting read for anyone who has ever tried to shrink themselves, offering a witty, conversational prose style that ultimately celebrates the messy, beautiful reality of taking up space.
- Mood
- angsty
- intimate
- hopeful
- Tone
- wry
- self-deprecating
- vulnerable
- earnest
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- body acceptance · shattering family illusions · finding your voice · messy first romance · taking up space
- The writing
- Conversational and witty, reading like the unfiltered, deeply personal diary of your smartest, most insecure friend.
- The arc
- Moves from shrinking insecurity and self-deprecation to a fierce, hard-won embrace of taking up space.
- Who it's for
- Anyone who has ever felt like the flawed black sheep in a family of overachievers and needs a funny, honest companion to help them find their voice.
Content notes
- fatphobia and body shaming
- sexual assault (off-page, committed by sibling)
- toxic family dynamics
About the book
Feeling like she does not fit in with the other members of her family, who are all thin, brilliant, and good-looking, fifteen-year-old Virginia tries to deal with her self-image, her first physical relationship, and her disillusionment with some of the people closest to her.
Description from Open Library.
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