Hey! How’s it going?
So every month is a struggle for me because not only do I have to get my braces adjusted, but it’s where the nearest bookstore situated.
You might ask “Why is it a struggle for you? Wouldn’t you be happy to visit the bookstore?”
Well, that’s the case. Every month I bought at least one book and every time I do, my parents learn about it. Final straw was last December when they prohibited me to buy more books. Ha, well too bad, because that didn’t stop me from buying two more: The Thousandth Floor on January and Dumplin’ just last week. They had seen the books, but I guess they were pretty tired of reminding me because they haven’t said a word a bout it.
Back to topic. Let me give a brief summary of Dumplin’. If you want to read the book and don’t want any spoilers, close this site immediately. If you already read it, or you don’t care about spoilers, go right ahead.
This story is about a self proclaimed fat girl who has always felt comfortable in her own skin. She has a really good looking best friend and a former beauty queen mother but it didn’t bother her at all. All of it changes when a handsome jock started working with her after class and had expressed intentions of dating her. All of the sudden, she becomes insecure and and cannot bring herself to go out on a date without thinking of what others would say (like how did she get herself such a hot boyfriend).
To prove that she was worthy enough, she decides to join the annual beauty pageant, to which her mother doubted she could do it, and in which her best friend also joined. Since then, they had a strained friendship and didn’t talk with for days. By joining, she had also motivated other people to sign up for the pageant, making her feel responsible for them. At the end, she had been disqualified because she showcased a talent that was far from the one approved during rehearsals but not before she proved everyone that she was worthy.
Yeah, yeah, I know I make shitty reviews. This is all that I can share without spoiling everyone with everything from the book.
So this book is all about confidence and self-worth, which are the most important things a person should have when it comes to giving yourself love. There are people out there who do their all to impress others, who in return would not give a damn about them and will leave them hanging when they are done getting what they want from them, making them feel very hurt.
It doesn’t matter if you have pride or high self-esteem as long as you’re not stepping on other people’s dignity. Remove the toxic people in your life and let them back when they prove you they’re worthy to be called family.
“Dumplin'” is a must read for everyone, especially those who struggle with themselves.
There are a lot of Willowdeans in this world who becomes so aware of what others think of them that they see themselves as the problem when in fact they’re not and they should accept who they are.
There are also Ellens who let go of their real friends because they seemed weren’t as nice as how they knew them when in fact they were just struggling and they had failed to notice this because of the “better” things they get to have.
There are Bos who didn’t care about others’ appearances and the only thing that mattered was their personality. There are guys who are jerks and act like they are very high but then there are good ones who are honest about themselves and are committed to learning everything about others.
There are parents who are like Rosie who thought that the decisions they make for their children are for their welfare and own good but in reality, it kind of lowers their confidence and somehow make their kids adjust and dependent on how others see them.
There are Hannahs who are truthful on what they think but then they would be there to support you no matter what.
There are Amandas who don’t let their disability hinder them from doing what they want.
Most importantly, there are Millies who are always there for you through thick and thin, ignoring all those hurtful comments because you were the one who had inspired them to be themselves and now, they’re doing the same thing for you.
People who have read this book would comment that it is a “hypocritical mess” (as stated by the top review from Goodreads) but it sounds about as realistic as it can get. Insecure people become judgmental about others because that is their defense mechanism. I, myself, am insecure about everything and I tend to look for mistakes in almost-perfect people because I want to feel comfort in the fact that they are as flawed as I am.
Or is it only because I enjoy reading books that it doesn’t matter to me if it is loved or hated by others? I don’t know. If you want to read something, do not base the quality of the books on their reviews because we all have different tastes. Like that book you saw earlier at the bookstore so bad? Go back and buy it.
So this book is going to be a major film soon and I am so excited to watch it (bc Jennifer Aniston and Luke Benward).
Anyway, this is all that I can say. Go like my review if you think it was worth reading, comment your thoughts below, and/or follow my blog if you want to read more shitty updates like this.
Aloha!
-claude xx
Internal Monologues 