Best and worst books??

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Best and worst books??
3
Thu, 07-13-2006 - 11:35am

Just wondering what everyone's opinion is about ED books. Which do you think are the best (most helpful) and the worst (most triggering)??? I've read several that have been helpful, and a few that have done nothing good for me. Hope I don't offend anyone here, but one of the best/worst books I've ever read was "Wasted" by Marya Hornbacher. I think of it as both because while it warns of the dangers and consequences of eating disorders, it also (in my own experience) triggered me so badly in so many different ways, many without my even realizing it at the time. I think we have to be soooo careful when trying to get "help" or "support" thru books. The thing I admired about "Wasted" was her writing ability, and just how honest she was with her feelings concerning Ed, and her courage for putting her story out there for others to read. One of the BEST Ed books I've recently read was "Life Without Ed" by Jenni Schaefer. We actually went thru some of it in my weekly eating disorder support group, but I read the rest of it on my own at home, and found it to be very uplifting and inspiring.

What do you think??

Sarah

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2005
Thu, 07-13-2006 - 12:59pm

Hi Sarah. Welcome to the board. I've been away from the board for a while. Good to have you here!

I'd have to agree with you about "Wasted." I found it quite triggering, yet the accuracy of describing the ED was amazing. And, it did help me get in touch more with my childhood and what led to the ED. Overall though, I'd say I didn't find it to be a helpful book on my recovery path. Good to know that Life Without ED is helpful. I haven't read that one. In my ED group we've also read excerpts from Eating in the Light of the Moon (I think that's what it's called). Those are really interesting.

Great discussion topic for the board. Thanks for starting this thread!

Love,
so_cal_runner

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Sat, 07-15-2006 - 11:12am

I've heard a lot of good things about "Eating In The Light of The Moon", but have actually never read it myself. Might be a good thing for me to do!

I tend to become triggered by a lot of the personal accounts and the memoirs, such as "Wasted". "Stick Figure" was another triggering book for me in some ways. A lot of people (family members, co-workers) don't understand that a lot of times, these kinds of books are more damaging to us, rather than being helpful. But it's from these people that I've been given books and articles throughout the years. I know they mean well, but still.......

Sarah

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2005
Sat, 07-15-2006 - 11:44am

Hey Sarah, how's it going?


I haven't read any ed books.

 

 

~Diana~