If 2020’s taught me anything, it is that I shouldn’t be making grand declarations about how an upcoming calendar year is going to be “mine”. But looking at these fantastic books with fat rep coming out next year, I can’t help but declare that it’s going to be an amazing year on the reading front at least.
And look at their covers!
LOOK AT THEM!
*gestures wildly*
So pretty, no?
This entire list is high on my TBR and I can’t wait to splurge on them next year!
| Note: While I’m highly anticipating each of these books, I have access only to two early copies of the 11 books mentioned here. I will be updating this article to include links to my review as and when I do read these books. |
Without further ado, here are 11 books with fat representation releasing in 2021 that I absolutely cannot wait for.
1. Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
In short: A coming-of-age story about a Puerto Rican fat girl that “tackles our relationships to our parents, our bodies, our cultures, and ourselves” according to the synopsis.
My thoughts: I am honestly in love with the title, cover, AND synopsis of this book. It’s one of my highly anticipated reads for next year and I can’t wait to dive into my ARC come 2021!
Release date: February 2nd, 2021
2. Love is a Revolution by Renée Watson
In short: Nala falls in instant love with activist Tye and spouts a few white lies to impress him. As expected, the lies get harder to keep up as they spend more time together and she ends up learning “all the ways love is hard, and how self-love is revolutionary.”
My thoughts: I’m a sucker for stories about self-love and this one’s synopsis literally ends with “the ultimate love story is not only about romance but about how to show radical love to the people in your life, including to yourself.” I need this book, stat!
Release date: February 2nd, 2021
3. Starfish by Lisa Fipps
In short: In this middle grade novel-in-verse, Ellie is relentlessly fat-shamed, even by her own mom. She, however, has her own group of kind allies as well, whose support helps her cast aside her “Fat Girl Rules” and learn to unapologetically be her own self.
My thoughts: Middle grade? Novel in verse? STARFISH METAPHORS? Sign me up! On a serious note, I know this one’s going to hit way too close to home for me. The early reviews are already calling it an emotional read and I can’t wait to cry all over my ARC.
Release date: March 9th, 2021
4. Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
In short: Polar opposites Eve Brown and Jacob Wayne are forced to work together in the latter’s understaffed B&B after Eve hits him with her car (accidentally). The synopsis promises that “the longer these two enemies spend in close quarters, the more their animosity turns into something else”.
My thoughts: I know I joke a lot about how Talia’s books keep me emotionally stable (they really do!) but I also love how her books do fat rep. No internalised fatphobia, no shaming, it’s just fat people living their lives. We saw that with Chloe and Dani and now I can’t wait for Eve!
Release date: March 9th, 2021
5. Every Body Shines: Sixteen Stories About Living Fabulously Fat
In short: Every Body Shines is an intersectional feminist young adult anthology featuring 16 stories celebrating body diversity and fat acceptance.
My thoughts: I’m hyped for all the books in this article but I really, really want this anthology right now?! Please? The cover isn’t even out yet and it already has all my heart.
Release date: May 11th, 2021
6. Pumpkin’ by Julie Murphy
In short: When Waylon Russell Brewer is nominated as Prom Queen as a joke, he decides to run anyway and leave high school with a big bang.
My thoughts: I ADORE Julie Murphy and I think I’m going to adore Waylon as well. Absolutely cannot wait! Also, gosh, we’ll see Willowdean and Millie again! Be still, my Julie Murphy stan heart.
Release date: May 25th, 2021
7. Speak for Yourself by Lana Wood Johnson
In short: Skylar will do anything to win State at the Scholastic Exposition, even if it means playing cupid for her two teammates. But what will happen when she begins developing feelings for one of them?
My thoughts: I always love an ambitious, hard-working MC and Skylar screams just that. Also, HELLO, how is this cover so fabulous?!
Release date: June 1st, 2021
8. A Sisterhood of Secret Ambitions by Sheena Boekweg
In short: Set in the 1920s, this book is about a powerful secret group of women called the Society. To land a substantial position in the Society, Elsie, along with 4 other teenage girls, must compete for the heart of a guy marked to become a future President.
My thoughts: I’m HERE for the supportive sisterhood this book promises. And the main character apparently has anxiety so you know I already love her and am rooting for her.
Release date: June 1st, 2021
9. Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly deVos
In short: Vivian is forced to attend a weight-loss camp which supposedly has a miracle cure for the O-word. Not only does Vee have to take down this highly fishy fat camp, but also fight off the zombies it is overrun by.
My thoughts: The synopsis calls this book a “satirical blend of horror, body positivity, and humor” and honestly? I’m sold. That’s, like, my entire brand.
Release date: June 29th, 2021
10. If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
In short: Cindy, a graduate in shoe design, is working for her stepmother, the executive producer of a reality dating show. When a spot opens up on the show, Cindy volunteers, thinking it will help advance her fashion career. How it quickly catapults her into becoming a BoPo icon and whether she finds love in the process forms the rest of the story.
My thoughts: A Cinderella retelling with a reality TV backdrop? My Bachelor-watching-retelling-loving-Julie-Murphy-stan heart is singing even more now.
Release date: August 3rd, 2021
11. A Dark and Starless Forest by Sarah Hollowell
In short (from Goodreads): When her siblings start to go missing, a girl must confront the dark thing that lives in the forest—and the growing darkness in herself—in this debut YA contemporary fantasy for fans of Wilder Girls.
My thoughts: This synopsis? Perfection. This cover? Unmatched. I am absolutely in love and I know exactly only one line about the book oops.
Release date: September 14th, 2021
And there you have it! 11 releases I’m hella excited about and can’t wait to get my hands on.
Did any book catch your eye? Which book are you most excited about for 2021? Let me know in the comments!
This list is amazing!!!! I had a few of these books already on my tbr but I’m adding so many more. Thank you for putting it together 💛
Yay, I’m so happy you found more books to add to your TBR! ❤️
Okay Girl first of all…i live for this layout of your blog..its simple and beautiful! And this list is Amazing!
Ahh, you’re too kind, Chinelo! Thanks so much! ❤️❤️
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing list!! I can’t wait to add these to my tbr💜
Yay, I’m so glad! ❤️
Oh wow, thanks for bringing these to my attention! I’ve struggled with my weight my whole life and I’d’ve loved girls like this on the covers of books when I was a teenager, so I’m so glad they’re more common now. I’m so excited for Act Your Age, Eve Brown, and Starfish and Eat Your Heart Out are going straight on my TBR!
I’d have loved to have these books as a teenager as well. Oh well, at least there’s more books with fat rep being published now. It makes my heart sing! ❤️
Eat your heart out is new for me in this list. Definitely adding this to my tar too. And I am excited for all of these too. And I am loving your blog post header images and layouts 😘
Ahh, thanks so much, Sim! ❤️❤️ I can’t wait to read all these books, either!
Thanks for this list!
Of course! ❤️
I love this! If you don’t mind a self-rec, my debut fantasy novel, QUEEN OF ALL, is coming out in June, and has not one but TWO fat protagonists! I’m excited to be in so much great company 🙂
Ooh that sounds amazing! I’ll go look it up right away! 🙂
Thanks so much, Shruti! And thank you for boosting fat representation, so badly needed!
I’m really looking forward to Reneé Watson’s book in this list. This also reminds me that I need to start reading Talia Hibbert’s books. 🙈 I hope you love them all and have a fabulous 2021! 💕
Love is a Revolution! Everything from the cover to the synopsis is fantastic about the book! Also, yes, please do read Talia’s books soon. They’re SO good. ❤️
Fantastic list! My book club is having a romance theme in February and we’re looking for diverse romances – this list has given me so many ideas! I especially like the sound of Love is a Revolution, and it will be released around the right time as well which is perfect! Thank you for the inspiration 📚❤️ X x x
So glad it helped! I absolutely cannot wait for Love is a Revolution! I hope your book club enjoys it. ❤️