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.
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.
Table of Contents
Book 1 – Intuitive Eating
Click here to check out the RWR Book Club Post for this book
Book 2 – Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body
Book 3 – Fearing the Black Body
Book 4 – The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat & Fierce
Book 5 – Anti-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
Book 8 Shrill: Notes From a Loud Woman
Book 9
Book 10 – Fat and Fertile
Book 11 – The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love
Book 12 – What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat
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
- Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach
by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
The classic anti-diet guide that started it all—teaching readers how to reconnect with their body’s wisdom. - The Wellness Trap
by Christy Harrison
A look at how wellness culture reinforces diet culture and misinformation about health. - The Eating Instinct: Food Culture, Body Image, and Guilt in America
by Virginia Sole-Smith
Explores the disconnect between how we feel about food and how we’ve been taught to eat. - The Gluten Lie: And Other Myths About What You Eat
by Alan Levinovitz
Deconstructs modern food fears with a mix of cultural critique and scientific analysis. - Reclaiming Body Trust
by Hilary Kinavey and Dana Sturtevant
A compassionate guide for healing body shame and reconnecting to yourself.
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.
