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I know it has been a long time since I have written on this blog but I have not stopped reading - over 70 books in the past year;  many so-so, some good, a few very good.  But I have just read a couple that have resonated or stayed with me and want to share.

"Skinny"  by Donna D Cooner  is a heartfelt look into the life of an obese teen. Ever weighs 305 pounds.
 But what drew me to this book is not only the story of Ever's daily trials and tribulations as she maneuvers through her life but also the addition to the story of her inner voice that Ever calls Skinny who is constantly calling her names: names like freak, elephant, hopeless and pitiful. This inner voice plays to Ever's insecurities and delights in whispering in her ear all those thoughts that others are supposedly thinking about her. So focused on these thoughts that Ever does not see that she in fact has put up so many walls around herself that keeps almost everyone out. She is the mean girl and hurts others before they can hurt her.

But Ever does have one true friend, another outsider like herself.  His encouragement and the thought of trying out for the school musical propel her into the decision of having gastric bypass surgery.

 As the weight begins to come off Ever's demons are still weighing her down. She may look like a different person but Ever is now charged with really getting to know herself, fat or not.