The Edible Digest (page 1, click for page 2)

{This page is for BOOKS the second page is for VIDEOS}

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I've read nearly every thing I can get my hand on that is a personal story about disordered eating... so rather than spending a fortune doing the same thing, you can look through my summaries & reviews and decide which books might interest you! Most titles are available at the wonderful Gurze Books (the only book catalog that specializes in eating disorders), unless otherwise noted, and all other titles are available at Amazon.com. or may even be at your local bookstore! Enjoy.

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• Life-Size by Jenefer Shute [not available thru Gurze]

This book is an amazingly well-written first hand narrative of Josie, a chronic severe anorexic who's life is ruled by her rituals and obsessions. Josie is hospitalized and slowly emerges out of her anorexic isolated thoughts and into a more solid sense of self. Josie's anorexia is rather deep and philosophical, she is keenly aware of the metaphor and meaning within her illness... my poem about scale worship and the idea of taking up space was inspired by this hauntingly acurate piece of fiction.

• Wasted by Marya Hornbacher (pictured below)

An autobiography, this book is the "Prozac Nation" (a great book by Elizabeth Wurtzel, if you've ever had Depression, chances are you have) of eating disorders. It is a striking powerful account of a dramatic struggle with anorexia (thrown in with some bulimia and drug abuse). The author is bold, honest, and direct. I think her message should not be missed by any of us... her permanent health damage, despite her current weight recovery, hits TOO CLOSE to home and is very important.

• The Best Little Girl In The World by Steven Levonkron

For young adults, the first novel of its kind (later made into a t.v. movie, see Edible Digest page 2 for more)... Kessa is a ballet dancer who avoids her teen agnst and emerging womanly figure by going on a diet that eventually consumes her. Surprisingly accurate, Dr. Levonkron gets inside the Kessa's mind and shows a very real picture of adolescent anorexia. Its a good read, no matter what your age, and there even is a sequal, the hard-to-find book "Kessa" which follows our beloved main character into recovery and an emerging disease-free life. I wish they'd make this into a t.v. movie too!! We could all use the hope.

• The Passion Of Alice by Stephanie Grant

An older, chronic anorexic who is painfully aware and oddly proud of the power behind her self-induced starvation, takes us through her hospital stay where we meet a ward full of eating disorder clients (bulimics and compulsive eaters too). Enchanted by her sarcasm and wit, we follow Alice as she begins to unravel the roots of her affliction and discovers herself in a more profound way than anorexia could ever offer.

• The Brief Life Of Catherine by Maureen Dunbar [not avail. thru Gurze]

This short but true tale of a British girl who eventually dies of her chronic anorexia is written with care and insight by her mother and includes pictures and journal entries from Catherine, who is remembered now with a flickering candle on the Something Fishy memorial site. Interesting to note that in England adults can be hospitalized against their will if the anorexia is severe enough. (Unlike the U.S. where such cases have to be dragged through court, as in the true story that was made into a t.v. movie staring former anorexic Tracey Gold, "For The Love Of Nancy").

• Starving For Attention by Cherry Boone O'Neil

Autobiography of singer Pat Boone's daughter who had a horrible struggle with anorexia and severe laxative abuse, this book mesmerized me. Complete with pictures and letters from her parents, this book is an excellent read as well as a bit of historical Hollywood! I wonder if Calista will ever write a book about her exercise addiciton... (hee hee)

• Feast Of Famine by Joan M. Johnston, M.D.

Another autobiography, this book was written by a doctor who struggled with anorexia during a time when it wasn't so widely recognized. Though this female physician did not work with eating disorder patients, it is interesting and unfortunately common, to have health care professionals struggling with the eating illnesses... we are often good care-takers (except of ourselves!)

• My Name Is Caroline by Caroline Adams Miller

A great autobiography of a bulimic (finally!) who fights her eating disorder for years until finding support and hope in Overeaters Anonymus. An excellent example of what significant relationships endure when one person is in the throws of an eating disorder (her husband was a great support). With good insight into how O.A. can really help, this book is a very enjoyable read, and an honest look into the tragedy of bulimia nervosa.

• The Long Road Back by Judy Sargent

Another autobiography, complete with pictures and a referral list, this book follows anorexic Judy as she travels in and out of hospitals, misunderstood and misdiagnosed, until finally connecting with a therapist and her inner self, growing strong enough to fight the anorexic monster that had taken over so much of her life.

• All Books by Geneen Roth [Gurze has all, plus audiotapes]:

1. Appetites- I am a fan of Geneen Roth, and I reccomend her highly. This title explores the metaphor of nourishment and how we deny, overdo, and purge nourishment for reasons not related to food and weight. Geneen is a survivor of all three eating disorders and has wit and wisdom that all of us can benefit from.

2. When Food Is Love- This was a huge "Oprah" hit, a book about the metaphor that we see food as love and so how we treat food is how we are feeling about love (self-love, recieving love from others, etc.). So much of this book rings true for me. I cherish the brilliant things she uncovers.

3. Feeding The Hungry Heart- This book is a collection of stories written by women struggling with eating disorders (emphasis on compulsive eating, which is wonderful in our world of plenty of anorexia-based books). Funny and touching and easy (too easy) to relate to!

4. Breaking Free From Compulsive Eating- This was the first Geneen title I ever read, about her own journey through disordered eating and how she finds her way out. WARNING to all: Geneen's methods of recovery are not "conventional" and do not match the O.A. gudielines. I happen to agree with Geneen's theory that if you heal from your emotional wounds you can learn to eat whatever you want whenever you want again (as those "normal" people seem to do) but this book is NOT good if you are just starting in your reovery and may need more healthy structure in your meal plan since you most likely have lost touch with your body's hunger (and therefore may not be able to distinguish between a emotional craving and a physical one). So read with awareness that there are many many ways to deal with disordered eating (thank god/dess!) and this is just one.

5. Why Weight? (workbook)- I love this simple, amusing to read, insightful and extremely helpful workbook!! I use some of the exercises with my clients and doing them in a support group can be tremendously useful and powerful. It makes you think and can help you to start moving in a new direction with your relationship to food, weight and your body.

• Diary Of An Eating Disorder by Chelsea Browning Smith (w/ her mom)

This is a wonderful diary-style nonfiction piece written by a recovering bulimic and anorexic. Along with comments from her mother, this book is a great account of what it is like to live inside of the eating disorder mind. It touched home often with me, especially how her loved ones react to her self-destruction and how their concern feels both warm and terrifying.

• SomeBody to Love Workbook by Leslea Newman

This is both a workbook and a story book. I continue to use some of the exercises she offers with clients. I think we are in SUCH need to learn how to love our bodies as they are in the here & now (I am continuing to learn, everyday), there are not enough books like these on the planet.

• Eating Our Hearts Out edited by Leslea Newman

My favorite collection of eating disorder stories!! It actually has the right mix of all three disorders to satisfy my picky political taste. These women authors are unique, creative, and delightful to read. From scenes from a hospitalized anorexic to the nightmare of yo-yo dieting within a crazy marriage, this collection is priceless and an important part of the non-fiction work available.

• Second Star To The Right by Deborah Hautzig [not available thru Gurze]

This is a fiction, for young adults book that I read several times in junior high and high school. Aside from my search for an anorexic role model, I felt connected to the main character who develops anorexia (and was not sexually abused, not everyone with an e.d. is, of course) while growing up in New York City. Though recovery is not strongly addressed in this book, the obsession and dangerous cycle are describe perfectly through Leslie's eyes.

• Anorexia & Recovery: A Hunger For Meaning by Karen Way

A compelling book with countless examples written by anorexics, the author goes into the depths of anorexia and it's metaphors and complex logic. This title seem to be an excellent fit for me, trying to understand myself and others, as I was entering the mental health field professionally. The descriptions weren't triggering for me, as the author focuses on the underlying meaning and not the "gory" details.

• Anorexia: Finding The Life Line edited by Patricia Stein, RD, MS, MA

Another true-life-stories collection, this one written by only anorexics, some recovering and some not quite yet... I went through this non-fiction work quickly and happily. The stories are "older" than other collections, taking place in the 1970's and 1980's when less was known about how to treat anorexia, but it is amazing to realize how there are still some treatment centers and some people who treat anorexia by re-feeding only (reminds me of Judy Sargent's true-life account) even to this day

• Toughing It Out by Joan L. Oppenheimer [not available thru Gurze]

This is another fiction, young adults book that I read and worn out during my junior and senior high school years. Jennifer is a teen who falls into anorexia after a New Year's resolution to lose a few pounds. Well-written. good example of a cool therapist working with teens with eating disorders and how important the role of the family is in anorexia (and all eating disorders).

• Stick Figure by Christine Fontana [may not be at Gurze]

An interesting first-hand account of a twenty-something year old dealing with anorexia and bulimia. This book is done in a diary format, and has a quite poetic and free-form style. The errie self-awareness that develops, and the different plunges into deep anorexia followed by the depths of bulimia and the horror of being sick with both, how run down the body gets. This Austrailian title is not the last of it's kind from sufferers around the globe.

• Good Enough by Cynthia Nappa Bitter

Wonderful and fairly new, this book is based on Cynthia's true story. She addresses the issue of feeling"safe" when starving (a common thing I have felt and hear other clients talk about when dealing with anorexic thinking). She develops anorexia at the age of 14 and hits the low 70-pound range before discovering more about her relationship with herself and slowly gaining weight along with self-esteem. She loses her hair, she finds herself scared of dying yet unable to stop... it's a powerful account of the nightmare. Captivating, intelligent, and painful for me to read as I can relate to Cynthia's ordeal so well, her illogical guilt and need to apologize for herself... it will stike a chord in so many of us.

• Anorexics On Anorexia edited by Rosemary Shelley

Collection of true-life anorexics, writing their various stories in their various stages of illness and recovery. It seems to be a more up-to-date version of Anorexia: Finding The Life Line, and equally engrossing to read. This title may especially speak to anorexics who've been in treatment centers. I would love to see other books of this kind; such as Bulimics On Bulimia, etc., plus a ten year follow up book to update us on each of the contributing writers would be fascinating to read someday! Also good for people wanting to work in eating disorders and understand more about the mindset.

• The Secret Language Of Eating Disorders by Peggy Claude-Pierre

This book has an interesting introduciton, in which we learn about Peggy's attempts, struggles, and success in saving her two daughters from anorexia. Peggy explains and names a common theme in eating disorders, which is a part of low self-esteem, Confirmed Negativity Condition (CNC). I found this to be the most helpful part of this book. I would encourage parents, friends and sufferers of chronic and acute anorexia to purchase and study this title.

• Goodbye, Paperdoll by Anne Synder (not available thru Gurze)

One of the first young adult fiction books dedicated to eating disorders, Goodbye Paperdoll is a haunting tale of an adolecent girl who develops a strange relationships with her developing body and the food she hates to love. As she decends into anorexia her thinking changes and her world shrinks with her body. Creatively written and a good effort of getting inside the mind of a struggling teen, this book does not glamorize anorexia and shows the frustration of her friends.

You can find books at: www.gurze.com and www.amazon.com

Click here for page two of Edible Digest which reviews eating disorder videos!