Everyone seems to be getting on with their lives except Maggie. At 26, she’s still serving coffee at The Beanery Coffee House, while her friends are getting married, having babies, and having real careers. Even Olivia, Maggie’s best friend from childhood, is getting married to the doctor with whom she lives. Maggie’s roommate? Her dog Solo (his name says it all). The man in Maggie’s life? Well … there isn’t one, except the guy she has a crush on, Domenic, who works with her at the coffee shop as a bus boy.Maggie and Olivia have been best friends since they were in grade school. Both fatties, they befriended each other when no one else would. Now grown-up, Maggie is still shopping in the “women’s section” while Olivia went and had gastric-bypass surgery in search of the elusive size 2, the holy grail for girls everywhere. So now Olivia’s thin and blonde and getting married, and Maggie’s the fat bridesmaid. Ain’t life grand? In this wonderful debut novel that is sure to remind readers of Jennifer Weiner’s Good In Bed, Liza Orr is both witty and wise, giving voice to women everywhere who wish for just once that they could forget about their weight.
more
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher**
Reading Conversations with the Fat Girl was one of those books that made me reflect. I identified with many things in this book and especially with Maggie, the main character.
Maggie is 27, single and overweight and waiting for the right job to come along. She’s working, but not doing what she wants to be. Her best friend from childhood, Olivia, is set to get married and she is the maid of honor. Things between the two friends have been somewhat strained since Olivia had gastric bypass surgery and she has embraced her “new” life. Maggie is learning how much things have changed and how even the strongest of bonds can weaken and change over time.
This was one of those books that really made me think and reflect. While outward appearances may be that someone is skinny, that doesn’t mean they are happy. They could be absolutely miserable and vice versa with a heavier person. Just because you have looks doesn’t mean you have happiness and putting on airs to “fit in” or to achieve something that you believe will make you happy and in the end doesn’t, is only doing the person a disservice.
I really loved how loyal Maggie was even though she knew that her relationship with Olivia was broken. She wanted to hold out hope that it would improve and I give her a lot of credit for that loyalty. Maggie definitely loved her family and had such a good heart, it made her even more lovable.
Overall this was a great read and I’m glad it was brought to my attention. It was worth picking up.
This was a really thoughtful and introspective read. Conversations with the Fat Girl started a little slow for me and I’m not a huge fan of the title, but it ended up surprising me in a wonderful way.
I think many readers will be able to relate to the insecurities, fears, and challenges that our heroine Maggie faces. I loved Maggie’s growth through the novel and how she really came into her own.
“If you can’t even choose yourself, how can anyone else?”
This quote was such a turning point in the novel for me. The complexity behind such a simple statement really struck a chord. As Maggie faced off with all of her blue buckets, I also evaluated my own life and perceptions of self. The message of self-worth and value was so important and I appreciated that Liza Palmer addressed it in a realistic and honest way. The collapse of Olivia and Maggie’s friendship was a painful reminder that you actively choose who you let into your life and history alone does not dictate your relationships.
I enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Kate, Peregrine, and Solo, and there were some hilarious pop culture references. There are quite a few laugh out loud moments and it was a bonus for me that the book took place in Los Angeles. Palmer’s writing was witty and entertaining and I enjoyed this heartfelt read.
*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of the 2019 edition of this book*