RWR Book Club: 12-Month Reading List

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Welcome to the Results Without Restriction Book Club — a space where we go beyond diet culture and dig into books that challenge the way we think about health, body image, and self-care. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of dieting, overwhelmed by wellness trends, or just craving a more compassionate approach to taking care of yourself, you’re in the right place.

anti-diet book club

Together, we’ll explore books that support a non-diet, body-respecting, and intuitive approach to wellness — with a special focus on perspectives from women, queer authors, people of color, and other marginalized voices.

The RWR Book Club is a self-paced, ongoing space where you can dive into books at your own pace. There’s no monthly deadline, no rush—just real conversations about intuitive eating, body respect, and healing your relationship with food.
Join the Conversation

Whenever you finish (or even while you’re still reading), you’re invited to share your reflections, thoughts, and aha moments in the comments section for this book.

Book 1 – Intuitive Eating

Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach, by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
This foundational book introduces the principles of intuitive eating, encouraging readers to reject diet culture and reconnect with their body’s natural hunger cues.
Amazon Link: Amazon

​Click here to check out the RWR Book Club Post for this book

Book 2 – Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body
Roxane Gay
A deeply personal memoir exploring the author’s relationship with food, weight, and self-image, offering insights into the complexities of body acceptance.
Amazon Link: Amazon

Book 3 – Fearing the Black Body

Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia
Sabrina Strings
An academic exploration of how fat phobia is rooted in racism, tracing its historical origins and societal implications.
Amazon Link: Amazon

Book 4 – The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat & Fierce

The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat & Fierce
Angie Manfredi
A collection of essays, art, and stories celebrating fat bodies and challenging societal norms around weight and beauty.
Amazon Link: Amazon

Book 5Anti-diet

Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating
Christy Harrison MPH RD
Reclaim your time, money, health, and happiness from our toxic diet culture with groundbreaking strategies from a registered dietitian, journalist, and host of the Food Psych podcast.

To Purchase: AMAZON link

Book 6 – Bad Fat Black Girl: Notes From a Trap Feminist

Bad Fat Black Girl: Notes From a Trap Feminist
Sesali Bowen
A blend of personal narrative and cultural critique, this book explores the intersections of race, gender, and body politics through the lens of trap feminism.
Link: Amazon

Book 7 – Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness

Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness
Da’Shaun L. Harrison
An examination of how anti-fatness and anti-Blackness intersect, offering strategies for dismantling oppressive systems.
Amazon

Book 8 Shrill: Notes From a Loud Woman

Lindy West
A collection of essays tackling topics like body image, feminism, and media representation with humor and candor.
Amazon

Book 9

Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
A practical guide to establishing healthy boundaries in various aspects of life, promoting self-care and personal growth.
Amazon

Book 10 – Fat and Fertile

Fat and Fertile, by Nicola Salmon
A resource for fat individuals navigating fertility and reproductive health, challenging weight stigma in medical settings.
Link: Amazon

Book 11 – The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love

The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love, Sonya Renee Taylor
An invitation to embrace radical self-love and challenge societal norms that perpetuate body shame and oppression.
Link: Amazon

Book 12 – What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat

What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon
A candid discussion on the realities of living in a fat body, addressing the systemic discrimination and biases faced by fat individuals.
Amazon

The RWR Book Club is here to remind you that you’re not alone in questioning diet culture. You’re not wrong for wanting a different way. And you absolutely deserve a space where self-care isn’t tied to shame, guilt, or unrealistic standards.

So whether you’re joining the next book discussion, catching up on past reads, or simply reflecting quietly — you’re part of this movement.

Here’s to unlearning, relearning, and supporting each other as we build a life of results without restriction.

RWR Book Club FAQ

What is the RWR Book Club?

The RWR (Results Without Restriction) Book Club is a community for anyone ready to explore a non-diet, body-positive approach to health and self-care. Each month, we read books that challenge diet culture, support intuitive eating, and promote a more compassionate relationship with food and body image. It’s not about rules — it’s about learning, reflecting, and connecting.

Who is the RWR Book Club for?

This book club is perfect for women (especially over 40), folks in midlife, and anyone tired of dieting who wants to embrace body respect, intuitive eating, and self-compassion. Whether you’re new to the non-diet space or have been on this journey for a while, you’re welcome here.

Do I need to be an intuitive eating expert to join?

Absolutely not! The book club is designed for beginners and veterans alike. We break down complex ideas into simple, relatable discussions. It’s a safe space to learn, ask questions, and share your thoughts without judgment.

How does the RWR Book Club work?

Each month, we choose a new book that aligns with our non-diet, body-positive values. You’ll get:

  • A reading guide with suggested pacing
  • Reflection questions and journal prompts
  • Opportunities to join discussions (live or in a group)
  • Optional resources like podcasts or articles to deepen your understanding

What kinds of books do you read?

We focus on books about intuitive eating, body image, mental health, self-care, and dismantling diet culture. We also highlight diverse voices, including women, queer authors, people of color, and marginalized communities.

What if I don’t finish the book?

No pressure! This isn’t school — you can participate as much or as little as you like. Even if you only read a few chapters, you’ll still find value in the discussions. The goal is progress, not perfection.

Is there a cost to join the book club?

Right now, the RWR Book Club is free to join. Some optional resources or events may have a small fee in the future, but reading and participating in the main discussion is always free.

Where do discussions happen?

We host our conversations in a private online group (like a Facebook group or Mighty Networks) and occasionally through live Zoom chats. You’ll get all the details when you join.

Can I suggest a book for the club to read?

Yes, please! Community suggestions are always welcome. You can submit your book ideas, especially if they align with our mission of healing your relationship with food and body through a non-diet lens.

How do I join the RWR Book Club?

It’s easy! Just [sign up here] (insert your link) to get started. You’ll receive a welcome email with everything you need to know to jump in.

Bonus Book List for Body Liberation & Radical Self-Love

Foundational Reads: Anti-Diet, Body Trust & Food Freedom


Memoir & Personal Essays: Fat, Fierce & Fully Alive

  • Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body
    by Roxane Gay
    A raw and powerful reflection on trauma, food, and survival.
  • Wow, No Thank You
    by Samantha Irby
    Laugh-out-loud essays on aging, awkwardness, and living in a fat, Black, queer body.
  • Happy Fat: Taking Up Space in a World That Wants to Shrink You
    by Sofie Hagen
    A joyful, intersectional take on what it means to live unapologetically in a fat body.
  • Big Girl
    by Kelsey Miller
    An honest journey from diet obsession to body acceptance.
  • Landwhale
    by Jes Baker
    Humor and honesty from the creator of “The Militant Baker.”
  • Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls
    by Jes Baker
    A radical handbook for self-love and dismantling diet culture.
  • Bad Fat Black Girl: Notes from a Trap Feminist
    by Sesali Bowen
    Cultural commentary and personal narrative rooted in hip-hop feminism.

Academic & Cultural Critique

  • Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia
    by Sabrina Strings
    A groundbreaking history of how anti-fatness and anti-Blackness became intertwined.
  • Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness
    by Da’Shaun L. Harrison
    A powerful examination of fatphobia through a Black, disabled, nonbinary lens.
  • Fat Shame: Stigma and the Fat Body in American Culture
    by Amy Erdman Farrell
    Traces fat stigma in the U.S. through media, policy, and culture.
  • Body of Truth
    by Harriet Brown
    Challenges the assumptions we make about weight and health.
  • Fat Activism: A Radical Social Movement
    by Charlotte Cooper
    A history and analysis of the fat activist movement.
  • The Fat Studies Reader
    edited by Esther Rothblum, Sondra Solovay, Marilyn Wann
    A foundational text in fat studies with diverse academic and activist voices.
  • Fat Politics: The Real Story Behind America’s Obesity Epidemic
    by J. Eric Oliver
    A critique of the political and medical framing of fatness.

YA & Fiction

  • Fat Angie
    by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo
    A beautifully written YA novel about grief, healing, and queer love.
  • I’ll Be the One
    by Lyla Lee
    A K-Pop–infused rom-com centered around body confidence and fame.
  • Dumplin’
    by Julie Murphy
    A fat teen beauty pageant contestant shows the world who’s boss.
  • If It Makes You Happy
    by Claire Kann
    A joyful summer romance that centers a fat Black teen.
  • Here the Whole Time
    by Vitor Martins
    A sweet queer love story set in Brazil, with themes of fat acceptance.
  • Fat Chance, Charlie Vega
    by Crystal Maldonado
    A story about self-worth, friendship, and first love.

Graphic Novels & Visual Books

  • Bitch Planet, Vol. 1: Extraordinary Machine
    by Kelly Sue DeConnick
    Dystopian sci-fi satire meets feminist rebellion.
  • Body Positivity Inspirational Coloring Book for Women
    by Various Artists
    Daily affirmations and joyful illustrations.
  • Fat Ladies in Spaaaaace
    by Theo Lorenz
    A whimsical coloring book of fat women in outer space.
  • The Pointy Pony
    by Fifi Abu and Celeste Oliva
    A joyful children’s book with fat representation.

Voices of the Movement

  • The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat & Fierce
    edited by Angie Manfredi
    A vibrant collection of essays, art, and poetry.
  • Your Body Is Not an Apology
    by Sonya Renee Taylor
    A call for radical self-love and collective liberation.
  • The Body Liberation Project
    by Chrissy King
    Fitness and body justice through a lens of inclusivity and empowerment.
  • Disability Visibility
    edited by Alice Wong
    First-person essays from disabled writers—essential for intersectional body liberation.
  • Fat and Queer
    by Bruce Owens Grimm, Miguel M. Morales, Tiff Joshua Tj Ferentini
    Queer and fat voices exploring love, politics, and identity.
  • What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat
    by Aubrey Gordon
    A sharp look at fatphobia in everyday life.
  • “You Just Need to Lose Weight” and 19 Other Myths About Fat People
    by Aubrey Gordon
    Debunks dangerous stereotypes with clarity and wit.

Personal Growth & Boundaries

  • Set Boundaries, Find Peace
    by Nedra Glover Tawwab
    An empowering guide to protecting your peace and reclaiming your voice.
  • Beyond Beautiful
    by Anuschka Rees
    Reimagines beauty standards for modern women.
  • Positive Body Image Workbook
    by Casey Judge, Nichole Wood-Barcalow, Tracy Tylka
    A practical tool for healing body image issues.

Reproductive & Sexual Health

  • Fat and Fertile
    by Nicola Salmon
    A compassionate guide to navigating fertility and fatphobia in medical care.
  • Big Big Love
    by Hanne Blank
    A sex-positive guide for people of size and their partners.

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Laurie Mallon

Host of the RWR Podcast

Founder of the Results Without Restriction Method

Health coach and personal trainer turned Diet Culture Destroyer

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