Book Review/Blog Tour: Body Talk edited by Kelly Jensen

Hey friends!

Today, I want to focus on a great book I just read that was provided to me by Algonguin Young Readers and NetGalley. It's a collection of non-fiction, comics, and more media about bodies and anatomy called Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy. The numerous writers in the collection include Tyra Banks, Aly Raisman, and Rachael Lippincott. It's all edited by Kelly Jensen, who I have been listening to for over a year on the Book Riot podcast Hey YA, so I'm super excited to be recommending this book to you today! It comes out on August 18.

Image provided by Algonguin Books

Summary

This collection for young adults provides 37 voices talking about their bodies. This isn't some old-fashioned "Welcome to Puberty" book, but a series of essays about things real people have been through and information about things you might want to know. It's definitely modern and while not every person will be represented, experiences of people of varied genders, sexualities, and ethnic backgrounds are shared.

About the Author

Image provided by Algonquin Books

"Kelly Jensen is a former librarian and current editor at Book Riot and her own popular book blog, Stacked. She's the editor of two highly-acclaimed YA anthologies, Here We Are: Feminism For The Real World and (Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start The Conversation About Mental Health. Her writing has been featured in Bust Magazine, Fortune, Bustle, and more. When not working with words, she teaches yoga, hangs out with a motley crew of pets, and enjoys all of the black licorice no one else wants. Follow her on Instagram @heykellyjensen and her website kellybjensen.com." - Algonquin Books

Review

Image provided by Algonquin Books

I was very excited to read this book because as mentioned above, I've been listening to the podcast Kelly Jensen cohosts with Eric Smith. From the podcast and other various outlets I've heard Jensen write or speak through, I noticed that Jensen is a big champion for teen voices. The books she recommends speak to and advocate for the modern teen. While I may not be a teen anymore (I just turned 22), I appreciate people who do this because so often teens are put down in the media. Twilight? Shadowhunter Chronicles? Can't like those, those are teen girl things. 

I've read another collection Jensen has edited called (Don't) Call Me Crazy. I read it on my Kindle and I remember highlighting all over the place because I felt so seen in what I was reading. I found myself highlighting just as much in this book. I feel like these books don't talk down to the teens reading, yet make sure their stories are accessible. I also learned from reading Body Talk due to the wide array of experiences represented. I liked how all types of things a body comes with were covered- illnesses, disabilities, body weight, and sexuality being just a few of the topics. I found the discussion of body image to be recurring, as many writers spoke of the way they did or did not present their bodies to the world and how that made them feel. Another thing I appreciate was that Jensen wasn't afraid to include somewhat conflicting viewpoints, for example, an essay about body positivity and loving the skin you're in is side-by-side with an essay about not liking body positivity because it often doesn't leave room for nuance. Opinions on bodies are just as varied as bodies, and I think the difference in essays will make a variety of teens feel validated.

I recommend this book for teens (and young adults; I didn't feel too out of place reading this at 22) who are looking for a diverse discussion.

I give this book 4 stars! Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for reaching out to me, I am overjoyed to promote it!

Kyra