making use of my best resource! *winning smile*

[such_heights]

Hi all,

Am looking for resources for a couple of friends of mine, and was wondering if any of you have some links/suggestions off the top of your head!

1. I am looking for novels that feature positive portrayals of women who aren't thin.

2. I am looking for resources to help someone who's currently in a pretty bad pit of depression but having trouble articulating that and reaching out. That sounds all too familiar to me, but I don't recommend my own strategy of going and going until you snap. Anything about first reaching out for professional support or recognising that's what happening is an illness and not a moral failing would be most welcome.

♥!

Comments

[miss_haitch]

The Protector of the Small series by Tamora Pierce has a heroine who is big and kicks ass. It's YA coming-of-age fantasy, and can be a bit twee in places but is generally pretty cool. Fire (YA fantasy again) by Kristin Cashore has a big side character who is lovely and schemingly political. However, it has sexual assault as a massive thematic...erm, theme, and is horribly tearjerky, so if your friend is feeling fragile I'd recommend being cautious. It makes me sad that others don't come to mind very easily - I hope you get some more recommendations.

RE: resources for reaching out and getting help, I do know a handful of books designed for children. They might be helpful for your friend (I find kids' stuff often speaks to me more strongly and directly than adults' stuff) but obviously something else may work better. However, Michael Rosen's The Sad Book is one that comes to mind straightaway - it can appeal to any age, and puts things in a very straightforward way. Again, a big tearjerker - anyone should definitely ensure they're in a safe space when reading it.

[such_heights]

Oh awesome, thanks so much for the info! And the first resource is for academic purposes, so anything and everything is great.

[miss_haitch]

You're welcome, I'm glad to be of help! Overnight I remembered Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones, a madcap real-world fantasy set at an SFF convention has a heroine who's grumpy, not-thin and AWESOME. And also amazing mythology and centaurs, omg.