Eating Disorders, Control, and Unbearable Lightness by Portia De Rossi

Cover via Goodreads.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

Before I begin my review of this book, I want to share the story of the first and last time I forced myself to throw up. While this doesn’t relate exactly to Unbearable Lightness, it sheds light on why I empathize so much with Portia De Rossi and what she went through. Skip down a few paragraphs if you wish.

In my first few years of adolescence, I always felt lost. I was born gay in a society where the word faggot is tossed around like footballs are thrown on Sunday, born homosexual in a world where my own mother prefers me dead than happy with a man. I couldn’t change any of this – all I thought I could do was struggle through school and maybe make a friend or two.

Couple that with the need to be above average.

Perfect by Ellen Hopkins

Cover via Goodreads.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

In Perfect Ellen Hopkins tells the story of four teens trying to find their flawless selves. Cara’s brother has been committed to a psychiatric hospital after a failed suicide attempt, and she is struggling to deal with their parents’ overbearing expectations as well as her sexual identity. Sean utilizes steroids in order to succeed, but does not realize that the risks and the consequences may make his efforts futile. Kendra covets the perfect body, yet cannot see beyond the idea that skinny is beautiful. Andre aspires to be a dancer, although his family disapproves. These four have to fight not only with the external forces raging against them, but also with their internal demons that may be the end of them.

Staying true to her trademark, Hopkins weaves a tale of teens with issues – in this case, anorexia, homosexuality, steroids, and dance – through her pulchritudinous poetry. Her writing was wonderful and seamless, as always, and Hopkins is one of the few young-adult authors who manages to obtain that perfect balance between not enough detail and too much detail – which, considering the subject matter, is quite an accomplishment.

Anorexia – A Luxury Disease? Heck No.

Image via 101healthsolution.com

Have you ever been so angry that you couldn’t find the words to express your emotions? I haven’t. Honestly, I rarely get upset. Irritated and annoyed, maybe. Angry, no. I’m not a fan of anger. I find it immature. Impractical.

I’m upset.

I was reading an article I found online. I won’t divulge what article, but I will admit I was enjoying it until the author alluded to anorexia. He called it a luxury disease.

He had his reasons. Slavery, starvation, safety against terrorists – I get it. Those are big issues. There are a lot of problems plaguing this world, and it’s impossible to name all of them or attribute them levels of importance. Which is why I was offended when I read something along the lines of “at least they have food! It’s their choice to starve themselves…”

Eating disorders such as anorexia are body-damaging and life-threatening (for more information on anorexia and how to help, click here). Not only do victims of this illness refuse to eat, but they rebuke their body’s natural instinct to survive. That’s one reason why I find this disease disturbing, and it troubles me that people don’t take it seriously.

When you’re hungry, you eat. You usually don’t even think about it, unless you’re dieting (you’re still eating, though). If you’re anorexic, you learn to live with hunger and to let it consume you to the point where being hungry is a sign of strength – of perseverance. Self-starvation in order to secure a skinny body. It’s just not right.

If you’re currently suffering from anorexia or you know someone that is, here’s a helpful website. You can also leave a comment or message me – I have experience with anorexia and I know how good it feels to shed those pounds, but trust me, it’s not worth it in the end.

I apologize if this post is rather unconventional, it was a spur of the moment thing. But I meant every word I wrote.

Image via disorder.org