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Empty
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Dell is used to disappointment. Ever since her dad left, it’s been one let down after another. But no one—not even her best friend—gets all the pain she’s going through. So Dell hides behind self-deprecating jokes and forced smiles.
Then the one person she trusts betrays her. Dell is beyond devastated. Without anyone to turn to for comfort, her depression and self-loathing ...more
Then the one person she trusts betrays her. Dell is beyond devastated. Without anyone to turn to for comfort, her depression and self-loathing ...more
Hardcover, 241 pages
Published
January 1st 2013
by Simon Pulse
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Fair warning: I found this book insensitive, offensive, and sensational without making the point it intended to make.
No rating.
Dell's fat. 286 pounds, size 24 fat. This wasn't always the way though. It happened when her dad cheated on her mom with Donna, and her parents marriage fell apart. Mom's become a prescription drug abuser, sold the lovely house they once lived in, and now Dell, her mom, and toddler sister Meggie live in an apartment in the poor part of town. Mom works two jobs to make ...more
No rating.
Dell's fat. 286 pounds, size 24 fat. This wasn't always the way though. It happened when her dad cheated on her mom with Donna, and her parents marriage fell apart. Mom's become a prescription drug abuser, sold the lovely house they once lived in, and now Dell, her mom, and toddler sister Meggie live in an apartment in the poor part of town. Mom works two jobs to make ...more

A very shocking novel, this one. Yet, as the author pointed out in the end notes, she didn't write a book to shock, she wrote a realistic book on teenage bullying and how it can inflict self deprecation to the point of depression. These are the types of books that teenagers can get something out of. Bullying is not uncommon, and you CAN get help. You can talk to someone about what is happening to you. High school is the hardest, and often lowest, point in some people's lives, thus I'm always sat
...more

I read it in one sitting. It was so powerful and moving and, even though I read reviews that say it's way too unbelievable, I felt it was SO real! Not all people can take the same amount of pressure, of bullying, and problems in their lifes, so we're in no position to judge how she handled the way she felt.
...more

"I did not write this book to sensationalise or shock. I intended Dell's story to serve as a window into her soul - the soul of a broken human being. I wanted you, precious reader, to feel the pain of the bullied, the neglected, the heartbroken and the humiliated. I wanted you to experience the absolute power of words - whether said or typed online. Words count."
- Author's Note, K.M. Walton, Empty
Those few short lines summarise all my feelings about Empty, both good and bad. The pain at the cent ...more
- Author's Note, K.M. Walton, Empty
Those few short lines summarise all my feelings about Empty, both good and bad. The pain at the cent ...more

This book was SO BAD. I couldn't believe this got published and that someone thought it was a good idea. Like you can tell the author was trying to do something completely different than what she was doing.
The worst part about this book was how obsessed the narrative was with the idea of fat. Fat on someone's body, fat in the mind, fat fat fat fat. It was so annoying and so bad, reading this girl who was obsessed with her own fat and didn't feel like there was anything other to her. Like even t ...more
The worst part about this book was how obsessed the narrative was with the idea of fat. Fat on someone's body, fat in the mind, fat fat fat fat. It was so annoying and so bad, reading this girl who was obsessed with her own fat and didn't feel like there was anything other to her. Like even t ...more

Wow, what an amazing, relatable, and powerful story. Adele, a 17 year old overweight high school student, falls into a deep, dark depression after her father cheats on and divorces her mother. Her once perfect, athletic, skinny life, now ruined falls apart around her. Not only does Adele have to deal with the problems of home life she deals with bullying and horrific comments about her weight made by her classmates. When things couldn't get any worse Adele is accused of raping the jock of her hi
...more

I removed my original review because, looking back on it, my intention is to help authors grow. Just because I did not like this book and found parts of it unlikable does not mean there is no hope for it. I’m also trying to grow as a reviewer and see the better in things instead of just focusing on the negatives.
(Still not changing my rating though 😅)
(Still not changing my rating though 😅)

Books involving fat protagonists are an incredibly hard sell for me. I've never read a YA book that got it right without sensationalizing it, or grossly exaggerating some of the more "disgusting" details just for shock value. Empty's one of those books, and it made me vaguely uncomfortable the entire time I was reading it. Not the "good" sort of uncomfortable, where you want to keep reading and be unsettled, but the bad kind of uncomfortable, where you can tell you're reading a book by someone w
...more

I have to say that EMPTY is one of the most tragic, gritty, raw and realistic stories that I have ever read. This is a story of a girl that has absolutely no self-esteem, no self worth, no respect for herself. Dell is a 16 year old high school student that deals with many, many issues throughout the book. One of Dell's biggest problems is that she is severely overweight. Like obese. Now, Dell wasn't always so heavy, most of the weight packed on as her life spiraled more and more down hill beginn
...more

Apr 19, 2019
Rachel
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-ya,
200-pages,
my-little-library,
fiction-drama,
single-books,
heart-felt,
format-paperback,
4-stars,
abuse,
made-me-cry
Holy f'en hell!
This......what the fuck did I just read! This has......man I have no f'en words.
That. Ending.
What. The. Actual. Fuck.
Yes I swore. Im not big on swearing. But this has seriously messed with my head.
The whole way through I was thinking that the fat shaming was the worst thing about this story. But boy was I wrong. I dont mean 'worst' as in its a bad story. Its not. It is extremely relatable for me. I may not be obese or morbidity obese but her thoughts I know too well. I was not pre ...more
This......what the fuck did I just read! This has......man I have no f'en words.
That. Ending.
What. The. Actual. Fuck.
Yes I swore. Im not big on swearing. But this has seriously messed with my head.
The whole way through I was thinking that the fat shaming was the worst thing about this story. But boy was I wrong. I dont mean 'worst' as in its a bad story. Its not. It is extremely relatable for me. I may not be obese or morbidity obese but her thoughts I know too well. I was not pre ...more

Harrowing, powerful and dark, Empty is, quite simply, an unforgettable read. It's a story of a girl who founds herself in a downward spiral of depression. A bleak and disturbing tale of desperation, bullying, rejection, self-loathing, betrayal, abuse and negligence. An irrefutably authentic, utterly engrossing and supremely readable novel that will leave you tear-streaked and emotionally drained. You absolutely can't afford to miss it.
Dell is overweight. Since last summer she has gained over 7 ...more
Dell is overweight. Since last summer she has gained over 7 ...more

Jan 04, 2013
Tee loves Kyle Jacobson
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2013-must-read,
january-2013
How can I start this review... I have to say that I have never ever read a book that has taken my breath away and then shattered me in such a good way. Shock is one thing but Empty is so much of everything it takes the reader by surprise. It has everything from bullying, to followers, to girls being violated. I have to say that Rape is never ever easy to read about and this book is no exception only you really don't know that is what happens to the main character for a while. So while you are re
...more

Is it possible to love a book and simultaneously rip out the last pages. If so, that is my feelings after reading Empty.
The ending hit me in a way to personal level and i cried and nearly didn't finish the book... I was hoping for something different to happen. It left me heartbroken and wishing that things could change in this world, as well as hurting for myself, and my family who some of these issues have hit way close to my heart.
That said, Adele is a character that could have been me in ...more
The ending hit me in a way to personal level and i cried and nearly didn't finish the book... I was hoping for something different to happen. It left me heartbroken and wishing that things could change in this world, as well as hurting for myself, and my family who some of these issues have hit way close to my heart.
That said, Adele is a character that could have been me in ...more

Empty was such a great read. It was so engaging that I blew threw it in one sitting. At some points, it is very difficult to read Dell's story. Her pain is so palpable through Walton's writing. I have to say that I was shocked by the ending but that I understood it.
I applaud K.M. Walton for writing this story. Bullying is such a part of so many people's lives (especially for the target age of the book) that I think it will resonate with just about every person who reads it. I was reminded a lo ...more
I applaud K.M. Walton for writing this story. Bullying is such a part of so many people's lives (especially for the target age of the book) that I think it will resonate with just about every person who reads it. I was reminded a lo ...more

I've read a lot of books about bullying and this one really puts you into the mind of just what the victim is thinking and feeling.
...more

This book is about a 17 year old girl named Adele, Dell for short. Dell has a pretty terrible life at home and at school. Her dad cheated on her mom with a younger woman and left Dell's mom with 2 kids and a drug addiction. With all the stress and sadness that forms from this, Dell develops a binge eating disorder and lands herself at a whopping 286 lbs. Because of her weight, Dell is bullied at school consistently at school. After her crush does something terrible at a party, Dell has a new bur
...more

Talk about gut wrenching and extremely hard to read! empty (yes that small e was on purpose, that’s how it is on the cover) caught my eye on the shelf at the book store because of it’s shockingly white cover amongst all the blacks & reds at the book store. Upon picking it up I remembered that a friend of mine had read it and highly recommended it to me as a very good heavy issue book. I didn’t know much about the story other than it dealt heavily with weight. I wasn’t too sure which end of the s
...more

How can I start this review... I have to say that I have never ever read a book that has taken my breath away and then shattered me in such a good way. Shock is one thing but Empty is so much of everything it takes the reader by surprise. It has everything from bullying, to followers, to girls being violated. I have to say that Rape is never ever easy to read about and this book is no exception only you really don't know that is what happens to the main character for a while. So while you are re
...more

Dell's life has slowly been crumbling around her ever since her father walked away from her family. But now, things seem to be stuck in fast forward...her best friend is getting farther and farther away, her mother is losing herself deeper in prescription pills, and the very thing that keeps her connected to the memory of her life with her father is about to slip right through her fingers.
Except no one sees her. Not really. Not the real her. How far is Dell willing to go to make them see her?
M ...more
Except no one sees her. Not really. Not the real her. How far is Dell willing to go to make them see her?
M ...more

Sep 25, 2012
Kayla
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
reviews-completed,
netgalley-and-edelweiss
In Empty, K.M. Walton paints a very disturbing image on what it is like to be a high school student with an eating disorder. Ever since Dell's parents split up, her life seems to be tumbling down around her. She’s losing her best friend, her dad doesn’t want to spend any time with her, and her mom is addicted to prescription drugs. Worst of all, Dell can’t seem to stop eating. Even after she is full she takes comfort in eating more. Since her parents separated, she went from a size ten to a size
...more

Wow. Another powerful book. I'd have given it a 4.5. While I couldn't help but fly through this book so much of it made me actually gasp.
Dells life was a nightmare. Her dad was uncaring and unattentive, left the family for another woman. Her mom is just a really bad mother. Yes, she has an addiction problem but she shows Adele nothing but disdain and what seems like hatred. Her only friend Cara, is not much of a friend. Her main concern is crawling up that social ladder and how Dell is hinderin ...more
Dells life was a nightmare. Her dad was uncaring and unattentive, left the family for another woman. Her mom is just a really bad mother. Yes, she has an addiction problem but she shows Adele nothing but disdain and what seems like hatred. Her only friend Cara, is not much of a friend. Her main concern is crawling up that social ladder and how Dell is hinderin ...more

When I started reading this book I was on the fence about it. I wasn't big on the name calling Dell had on her dads girlfriend, even though I understand why she didn't like her. I thought it was just immature and unnecessary really. As the reader, I could already notice Dell didn't want her father to be dating Donna, the nickname Dell makes for her just seemed too much.
Dell feels empty after he father leaves her and her pregnant mother and starts to eat the emptiness away, which causes her to g ...more
Dell feels empty after he father leaves her and her pregnant mother and starts to eat the emptiness away, which causes her to g ...more

Grade- B-
3.5 of 5
Dell's life couldn't be much worse. She rarely sees her father since he took off with his girlfriend and her mother is popping pills, working 2 jobs and constantly criticizing. She's packed on 70 pounds since last year, which has gotten her kicked off the softball team. Her social climbing best friends is obsessed with breaking into the popular group, the same group that bullies and teases Dell mercilessly. She's depressed and lethargic. Things are about to get even worse.
EMPTY ...more
3.5 of 5
Dell's life couldn't be much worse. She rarely sees her father since he took off with his girlfriend and her mother is popping pills, working 2 jobs and constantly criticizing. She's packed on 70 pounds since last year, which has gotten her kicked off the softball team. Her social climbing best friends is obsessed with breaking into the popular group, the same group that bullies and teases Dell mercilessly. She's depressed and lethargic. Things are about to get even worse.
EMPTY ...more

Walton writes books that matter. She writes with the intent of saving lives. There is a crude ugliness to the picture she paints with her words, but while the horror of Dell's story guts you, it also makes you weigh the cost of human cruelty. It makes you wonder why we carefully dole out kindness like it's a precious substance in high demand, instead of something that knows no limitations. Dell's story is so hard to read because it rings true. It is too close to the bullseye. There are more peop
...more

Yes, this book actually did get published.
I read it as one of PulseIt's free books put up for a certain amount of time. It's one of my favorite things. However, I'm pretty dang disappointed this made the cuts.
This isn't a YA novel about a human being. It's a YA novel about fat. More specifically, it's a YA novel about a large amount of unwanted fat that takes residence on a human being and proceeds to ruin ALL the things.
Not a single realistic, believable character exists within these e-pages. ...more
I read it as one of PulseIt's free books put up for a certain amount of time. It's one of my favorite things. However, I'm pretty dang disappointed this made the cuts.
This isn't a YA novel about a human being. It's a YA novel about fat. More specifically, it's a YA novel about a large amount of unwanted fat that takes residence on a human being and proceeds to ruin ALL the things.
Not a single realistic, believable character exists within these e-pages. ...more

I wasn't expecting this book to be about an over eater. It was definitely a nice change of pace because no book I've ever read had that as an issue. The issue always involved NOT eating. However all the food was making me feel nauseas at times.
I found this to be a page tuner. Always wanting to know what was going to happen next. I felt bad for Dell. Not having a true friend or a mother or father who truly cared about her.
The flow of this story kind of annoyed me, hence the reason for 3 stars. L ...more
I found this to be a page tuner. Always wanting to know what was going to happen next. I felt bad for Dell. Not having a true friend or a mother or father who truly cared about her.
The flow of this story kind of annoyed me, hence the reason for 3 stars. L ...more

Finishing this book made me realize that you should love yourself first because people would treat you crap if you will let them.
Most people doesn't enjoy the ending but it's my favorite thing about this book. It's different and it's thought provoking. ...more
Most people doesn't enjoy the ending but it's my favorite thing about this book. It's different and it's thought provoking. ...more

I recommend reading the author's note first to understand the intention behind Dell's story and to have an idea of the trigger warnings. I think the meaning behind the title is clever, and pay attention to the fading font. I appreciate the foreshadowing (or as my sister puts it "the thoughts leading up to the climatic end"). (view spoiler)
...more

Jun 04, 2019
Alyssa
added it
Dell's life has been like a rollercoaster (more down than anything) ever since her dad left her mom for another woman. No one knows the pain she’s going through the only comfort is food and her baby sister. Dells best friend Cara hangs out with the “cool” girls now more than she hangs out with Dell. Dell hates her dad she has only gained so much weight because her dad abandoned his family for another woman. She eventually gets kicked off the softball team because she weighs too much that she “ca
...more
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K.M. Walton is the author of the contemporary young adult novels, CRACKED (2012), EMPTY (2013), ULTIMATUM (2017), and her BEHIND THE SONG anthology (2017). She is represented by Jim McCarthy from Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management.
K. M. had a gazillion dreams when she was a little girl. Her biggest dream was to be a teacher. Teaching became a reality for K.M. and she taught for twelve ...more
K. M. had a gazillion dreams when she was a little girl. Her biggest dream was to be a teacher. Teaching became a reality for K.M. and she taught for twelve ...more
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“I wanted you, precious reader, to feel the pain of the bullied, the neglected, the heartbroken, and the humiliated.”
—
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