"Plus-Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change" chronicles the rise of the body positive movement and body positivity through pop culture reviews and personal reflections. This essay collection illustrates the insidiousness of fatphobia through analyses of film, television, books, and how they affect our perceptions and treatment of others. Altogether, the essays paint a big picture of fatphobia, misogyny, misogynoir, ableism, and capitalism in American society. Furthermore, this essay collection emphasizes the potential for social change. Featuring media from the 1990s, early 2000s, 2010s, and up until today, this memoir tells a story of America's uneasy and ever-changing relationship with fat. Critically Acclaimed Book! Booklife by Publisher's Weekly "Mekdela's style is straightforward and upfront. She outlines her opinions and cultural observations in direct, conversational prose. Mekdela is open & vulnerable." - BooklifePrize Writer's Digest "I loved this and wish it was longer! It is so great to see well written and thoughtful essays like these that delve into pop culture and share the experience of navigating the world as a plus size person. Readers will laugh and relate to these essays and will enjoy the clever writing and humor that is present throughout. I appreciated the honesty and vulnerability and the sharpness of the wit reminded me of the same feeling I got from Lindy West's work in that I wanted more like this to be out in the world and in the hands of readers. The format is ideal, and only a small change to the cover font will really launch the book into being as visually captivating as it is to read. I loved the way this content is both memoir and source for important conversation. In taking a very direct look at pop culture and sharing personal experience in this way, a very open space for healing, commiseration, brainstorming for change and forward momentum is opened up as conversation points. There is a lot to consider from this collection and I loved reading it." - Judge, 30th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards IndieReader "PLUS-SIZE: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change by Mekdela is an exciting collection of essays that spin together personal narrative with cultural critique to examine the pervasive nature of fatphobia in society. Drawing from her experiences as a plus-size Ethiopian-American woman, Mekdela delves into how media representations—from 1990s sitcoms to contemporary reality TV—have shaped public perceptions of body image. The book explores the intersections of fatphobia with racism, misogyny, ableism, and capitalism, offering insights into how these systems collectively impact marginalized bodies. The memoir's accessible prose and thought-provoking commentary make it a valuable contribution to discussions on body positivity and social justice. At under 100 pages, it's a concise yet impactful read that encourages reflection on societal norms and personal biases." - IndieReader "Five Stars" - Readers' Favorite "Mekdela tackles society's views on plus-size people and campaigns for body positivity in Plus-Size: A Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change. This book is an essay collection that analyzes and gives important insight into fatphobia, its psychological effects on the people scorned, the circumstances of the people affected, and various other factors on the topic. Mekdela's Memoir of Pop Culture, Fatphobia, and Social Change has a down-to-earth narrative that gets to the heart [of the issues] and provoked my thoughts and feelings on the subject. The narrative was relatable and Mekdela does a wonderful job of keeping the stream of information both interesting and informative. Reading the author's own experiences and observations concerning the discrimination and prejudice against people with certain body types helped me look deeper into the current problems of today's society and gave me a new point of view on the different expectations and perspectives others have on plus-sized people. I found this to be a life-changing read!" - Jessica Barbosa, Readers' Favorite "Five Stars" - The Book Commentary "The prose in Plus-Size is searing and engaging, blending poetic reflection with sharp social commentary. Mekdela employs vivid imagery and rhetorical questions to challenge dominant narratives about beauty and worth. Her assertive and compassionate tone invites readers to reconsider their perceptions and biases...Mekdela's narrative is a compelling call for decolonizing beauty standards and fostering a society that values bodies of all sizes and backgrounds. It is gripping and features compelling social commentaries." - Meg McKinnon, The Book Commentary Thank you to everyone who reads my book! I began writing this book in 2017, through writing posts for my blog. I was perturbed by the political turmoil and wreckage all around me after the 2016 presidential election, and