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What I Like About Me
You know all those movies where teenagers have, like, THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES? This vacation is probably not going to be that.
The last thing sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin thought she’d be doing over vacation is entering a beauty pageant. Not when she’s spent most of her life hiding her body from everyone. Not when her Dad is AWOL and her gorgeous older sister has returned to rock Maisie’s already shaky confidence. And especially not when her best friend starts flirting with the boy she’s always loved. But Maisie’s got something to prove.
As she writes down all the ways this vacation is going from bad to worse in her school-assignment journal, what starts as a homework torture-device might just end up being an account of how Maisie didn’t let anything, or anyone, hold her back.
Jenna Guillame’s American debut features a plus-size protagonist with a compelling, funny, and authentic narrative voice. This relatable and charming novel about friendship, confidence, and self-love will draw readers in as Maisie’s realistic emotional journey unveils the importance of embracing one’s body and celebrating one’s self.
The last thing sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin thought she’d be doing over vacation is entering a beauty pageant. Not when she’s spent most of her life hiding her body from everyone. Not when her Dad is AWOL and her gorgeous older sister has returned to rock Maisie’s already shaky confidence. And especially not when her best friend starts flirting with the boy she’s always loved. But Maisie’s got something to prove.
As she writes down all the ways this vacation is going from bad to worse in her school-assignment journal, what starts as a homework torture-device might just end up being an account of how Maisie didn’t let anything, or anyone, hold her back.
Jenna Guillame’s American debut features a plus-size protagonist with a compelling, funny, and authentic narrative voice. This relatable and charming novel about friendship, confidence, and self-love will draw readers in as Maisie’s realistic emotional journey unveils the importance of embracing one’s body and celebrating one’s self.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2019
About the author
Jenna Guillaume
4 books773 followersJenna Guillaume is a journalist and the author of young adult rom-coms What I Like About Me and You Were Made for Me, as well as the novella The Deep End.
Formerly features editor of Girlfriend magazine and editor-at-large for BuzzFeed Australia, Jenna now writes for publications such as BuzzFeed, Junkee, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and MTV News about very important things like pop culture, identity, feminism, social media and her fave OTPs.
Jenna appears regularly as a moderator and panellist at festivals, and also works as a social media consultant with brands such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
In her downtime, Jenna can be found cuddling her dogs, reading fanfic, and spending way too much time on Twitter.
Formerly features editor of Girlfriend magazine and editor-at-large for BuzzFeed Australia, Jenna now writes for publications such as BuzzFeed, Junkee, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and MTV News about very important things like pop culture, identity, feminism, social media and her fave OTPs.
Jenna appears regularly as a moderator and panellist at festivals, and also works as a social media consultant with brands such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
In her downtime, Jenna can be found cuddling her dogs, reading fanfic, and spending way too much time on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
February 27, 2019
3.5 stars*
March 19, 2020
Exceptional! What I Like About Me is a quick YA read about family and positive body image. I would definitely recommend this book for readers 13+ due to some language. It's the kind of book I wish had been around when I was an insecure young teen.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Peachtree Publishing for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Peachtree Publishing for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 18, 2021
2.5 Stars rounded up to 3
Well I ended up enjoying this body positive YA novel about friendships, first love and being happy with who you are.
I am glad I persevered as it was touch and go in the first few chapters as I didn't think I was going to like the main character. However, as I got to know her and could relate to all her insecurities and poor self image I warmed to her. There's probably a bit too much teen drama and it's quite predictable so go in with the right expectations.
Well I ended up enjoying this body positive YA novel about friendships, first love and being happy with who you are.
I am glad I persevered as it was touch and go in the first few chapters as I didn't think I was going to like the main character. However, as I got to know her and could relate to all her insecurities and poor self image I warmed to her. There's probably a bit too much teen drama and it's quite predictable so go in with the right expectations.
February 13, 2019
I mean - obvs.
I represent Jenna as literary agent and I am VERY much in love with Maisie and her story. I've read it about 20 times, and I love it more and more each time!
I said this on Twitter, but it's worth repeating, that: what struck me about it upon re-read is how great the incidental diversity is within. Particularly: a young character who has a troubled home life, but that’s not the focus of their story.
In case you didn’t know: #LoveOzYA tends to have a problem of defaulting to a comfortable middle-class background for characters. The few times people who live on a lower socioeconomic rung are portrayed, it tends to be extreme in the other way - showing how awful their world is.
Jenna Guillaume’s book includes a character who comes from a troubled home life, but isn’t defined by it. They’re shown to have a solid support network, and particularly of people who are sensitive to their situation but not righteously believing that they need “saving” from it.
Obviously I’m generalising awfully - and the middle-class default has been a problem of all YA generally, not just Aussie, for a while now. And there are other books (Emily Gale’s ‘I Am Out With Lanterns’ springs to mind!) that also do a good job of class diversity, and also those that radically and brilliantly portray the truth of a not-so-easy life (everyone should read Eleni Hale's 'Stone Girl' immediately!)
But it just really stuck me in 'What I Like About Me' - and goes to show a “light” slice of romantic YA can (and really should) be actively reaching for diversity and inclusivity in all ways too. Because that’s what the romance genre can achieve so radically - incidental diversity.
It's all here in Jenna's book where there are;
- No female 'villains', just complex women
- Body positivity and self-love
- Wide variety of characters from all backgrounds
- True appreciation for the timeless classic that is 'Dirty Dancing'
READ IT! You'll love it, I promise!
I represent Jenna as literary agent and I am VERY much in love with Maisie and her story. I've read it about 20 times, and I love it more and more each time!
I said this on Twitter, but it's worth repeating, that: what struck me about it upon re-read is how great the incidental diversity is within. Particularly: a young character who has a troubled home life, but that’s not the focus of their story.
In case you didn’t know: #LoveOzYA tends to have a problem of defaulting to a comfortable middle-class background for characters. The few times people who live on a lower socioeconomic rung are portrayed, it tends to be extreme in the other way - showing how awful their world is.
Jenna Guillaume’s book includes a character who comes from a troubled home life, but isn’t defined by it. They’re shown to have a solid support network, and particularly of people who are sensitive to their situation but not righteously believing that they need “saving” from it.
Obviously I’m generalising awfully - and the middle-class default has been a problem of all YA generally, not just Aussie, for a while now. And there are other books (Emily Gale’s ‘I Am Out With Lanterns’ springs to mind!) that also do a good job of class diversity, and also those that radically and brilliantly portray the truth of a not-so-easy life (everyone should read Eleni Hale's 'Stone Girl' immediately!)
But it just really stuck me in 'What I Like About Me' - and goes to show a “light” slice of romantic YA can (and really should) be actively reaching for diversity and inclusivity in all ways too. Because that’s what the romance genre can achieve so radically - incidental diversity.
It's all here in Jenna's book where there are;
- No female 'villains', just complex women
- Body positivity and self-love
- Wide variety of characters from all backgrounds
- True appreciation for the timeless classic that is 'Dirty Dancing'
READ IT! You'll love it, I promise!
March 20, 2019
17th March 2019.
The day I fell in love with Maisie Martin.
Good day to you Discovery Journal.
Unlike Maisie Martin, I am writing this journal entry entirely of my own free will. Maisie on the other hand is being forced under extreme parental duress to write in her school appointed, fire breathing teacher approved journal each day. That's what happens when your mother is also a teacher, you can never escape school.
Now I'm sure Maisie will tell you that even though her father is staying in the city, working, this summer promises to be epic as she's allowed to invite totally gorgeous best friend Anna along for company. More like a buffer against her overbearing mother and her almost but not quite estranged yet perfect sister who is bringing her new and probably equally as perfect girlfriend to Cobbers Bay. Not that Maisie plans on spending time with either of them, it's summer which means sun, sand, dodgy barbecues watching others swim like a totally non perverted creeper and summer crushes. For the last few years Maisie has been making serious heart eyes at smoking hot, resting dreamy faced Sebastian Lee. If only his annoyingly flatulent best friend Beamer wasn't always around. That and if Maisie could work up the courage to take a chance.
Discovery Journal, I feel that. At sixteen and convinced I was the ugly friend, you know the one. She's the funny but less attractive sidekick and she most certainly never gets the boy. Even as a married adult who's reasonably confident and no longer the ugly friend, you still convince yourself that people only like you in small doses. Which is bullshit. Sometimes you just need to pull up your Maisie pants and realise that is people don't like you then that's their own damn fault for not spending the time getting to know you. The difference between us at sixteen is that Maisie is about to have the summer of her life.
I think most of us have had a friend like Anna. She's beautiful, popular and although you don't spend much time together any more since she started dating, you'll always be there for her. Especially during the breakup with her dickhead boyfriend when she's utterly miserable. Because that's just what friends do, only Anna seems to be spending more time with resting dreamy face Sebastian than she is Maisie. Maisie is so not okay with this recent development because you should be happy when your hot heartbroken friend starts hooking up with your hot forever crush. Best friends, the reason why we can't have nice things.
Maisie is hitching up those britches and making new friends, proving that you can't keep a good woman down. Leila is a local, a fashion designer and just bloody fabulous. Discovery Journal, this is why you you need friends that empower you and at the risk of breaking into a rendition of Wing Beneath My Wings, friends that help you soar. They don't suck face with your crush fully knowing how so not over him that you are.
Don't get me wrong Discovery Journal, Sebastian is a stand up guy but what happens when all the things Maisie thinks she loves about him, he isn't actually worthy of... Unexpected shit happens with delightful results. Now the real sucking face begins. Like an Italian chef, I am kissing my fingers to show you how delicious these developments are. Have at it girl.
Maisie is the heroine. She's me at sixteen, she's probably you at sixteen, she's the girl that lives next door or the girl that sits in front of you in social studies while you draw genitals in your text book. She's the girl with moxie and doesn't know it, the girl who is constantly evolving and finding herself. She's the girl who'll set the world ablaze, who deserves more than the assholes trying to extinguish her fire. She's the fat, funny and beautiful girl. She's us.
What I Like About Me is a feel great, utterly charming read about friendship, finding love and finding yourself along the way. It's about loving yourself and stuff what anyone else thinks. It's confidence building, it's empowering and it's embracing your inner Maisie and unleashing her on the world.
It's everything.
Love, Kelly.
The day I fell in love with Maisie Martin.
Good day to you Discovery Journal.
Unlike Maisie Martin, I am writing this journal entry entirely of my own free will. Maisie on the other hand is being forced under extreme parental duress to write in her school appointed, fire breathing teacher approved journal each day. That's what happens when your mother is also a teacher, you can never escape school.
Now I'm sure Maisie will tell you that even though her father is staying in the city, working, this summer promises to be epic as she's allowed to invite totally gorgeous best friend Anna along for company. More like a buffer against her overbearing mother and her almost but not quite estranged yet perfect sister who is bringing her new and probably equally as perfect girlfriend to Cobbers Bay. Not that Maisie plans on spending time with either of them, it's summer which means sun, sand, dodgy barbecues watching others swim like a totally non perverted creeper and summer crushes. For the last few years Maisie has been making serious heart eyes at smoking hot, resting dreamy faced Sebastian Lee. If only his annoyingly flatulent best friend Beamer wasn't always around. That and if Maisie could work up the courage to take a chance.
Discovery Journal, I feel that. At sixteen and convinced I was the ugly friend, you know the one. She's the funny but less attractive sidekick and she most certainly never gets the boy. Even as a married adult who's reasonably confident and no longer the ugly friend, you still convince yourself that people only like you in small doses. Which is bullshit. Sometimes you just need to pull up your Maisie pants and realise that is people don't like you then that's their own damn fault for not spending the time getting to know you. The difference between us at sixteen is that Maisie is about to have the summer of her life.
I think most of us have had a friend like Anna. She's beautiful, popular and although you don't spend much time together any more since she started dating, you'll always be there for her. Especially during the breakup with her dickhead boyfriend when she's utterly miserable. Because that's just what friends do, only Anna seems to be spending more time with resting dreamy face Sebastian than she is Maisie. Maisie is so not okay with this recent development because you should be happy when your hot heartbroken friend starts hooking up with your hot forever crush. Best friends, the reason why we can't have nice things.
Maisie is hitching up those britches and making new friends, proving that you can't keep a good woman down. Leila is a local, a fashion designer and just bloody fabulous. Discovery Journal, this is why you you need friends that empower you and at the risk of breaking into a rendition of Wing Beneath My Wings, friends that help you soar. They don't suck face with your crush fully knowing how so not over him that you are.
Don't get me wrong Discovery Journal, Sebastian is a stand up guy but what happens when all the things Maisie thinks she loves about him, he isn't actually worthy of... Unexpected shit happens with delightful results. Now the real sucking face begins. Like an Italian chef, I am kissing my fingers to show you how delicious these developments are. Have at it girl.
Maisie is the heroine. She's me at sixteen, she's probably you at sixteen, she's the girl that lives next door or the girl that sits in front of you in social studies while you draw genitals in your text book. She's the girl with moxie and doesn't know it, the girl who is constantly evolving and finding herself. She's the girl who'll set the world ablaze, who deserves more than the assholes trying to extinguish her fire. She's the fat, funny and beautiful girl. She's us.
What I Like About Me is a feel great, utterly charming read about friendship, finding love and finding yourself along the way. It's about loving yourself and stuff what anyone else thinks. It's confidence building, it's empowering and it's embracing your inner Maisie and unleashing her on the world.
It's everything.
Love, Kelly.
September 11, 2019
3.5 stars
Initially, I wasn’t sure what to really expect going into this book as the only thing I really knew was that it had a body-positive message. This is a fluffy, fun, summer read set in Australia and follows Maisie’s summer holiday with her best friend, family and her years-long crush. While the main focus of this book is body image because Maisie is fat, the way it is explored is done in a really great way and we see Maisie make new friends, figure things out and she even ends up entering a beauty pageant! The romance, while a little predictable, was super cute and I was ON BOARD and I loved seeing Maisie grow more confident with herself.
It’s a super easy book to read as it’s told in diary-form and Maisie is such a fun, passionate and refreshing voice. I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun, fluffy and heart warming summer read with great characters, a cute romance and easy-to-read writing!
Initially, I wasn’t sure what to really expect going into this book as the only thing I really knew was that it had a body-positive message. This is a fluffy, fun, summer read set in Australia and follows Maisie’s summer holiday with her best friend, family and her years-long crush. While the main focus of this book is body image because Maisie is fat, the way it is explored is done in a really great way and we see Maisie make new friends, figure things out and she even ends up entering a beauty pageant! The romance, while a little predictable, was super cute and I was ON BOARD and I loved seeing Maisie grow more confident with herself.
It’s a super easy book to read as it’s told in diary-form and Maisie is such a fun, passionate and refreshing voice. I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun, fluffy and heart warming summer read with great characters, a cute romance and easy-to-read writing!
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1645808644i/7494844._UX200_CR0,6,200,200_.jpg)
March 29, 2020
Maisie Martin never thought she'd enter a beauty pageant. Everything this summer is going to shit—from her dad staying home while she and her mom head to the beach to her best friend hooking up with the boy Maisie's loved her entire life to annoying as fuck Beamer to her sister being horrible and amazing to her having to write everything down in a stupid journal all summer. But now she's in a beauty pageant, and somehow she's going to have to rock a swimsuit.
I am SCREAMING! It's basically Australian Dumplin but read this damn book! Read it! Read it! Read it!
Maisie's voice immediately jumped off the page for me. She was snarky, teenaged and whip-smart, which hid a wealth of insecurities and just...teenness that had me rolling on the floor and/or crying in sympathy.
Lol, it's so true. I loved Maisie's parents, who acted like real parents of teens today instead of the stand-ins for the author's parents (which happens in so many YA books that it's not even funny), and especially Maisie's mom's friend Lauren, who was The Best.
At the base of Maisie's insecurities is her body. She is fat, and has hid herself from the world because she's been faced with nothing but hatred about her body and her body's existence her entire life. From her mother to her sister to her best friend to everyone else, her size has been an issue. And seeing her sister's new girlfriend sends her on even more of a nosedive, since her perfect, fat-shaming sister is dating a girl who is fat.
Maisie has accepted her roll as the ugly friend, especially since her BFF is conventionally pretty. But Anna is recovering from a bad breakup, which leads Maisie to invite her along to her family's beach house, where Anna meets Maisie's long-time super secret crush and summer friend, Sebastian.
Sebastian, being hot, and Anna, also being hot, immediately hit it off and start snogging all over the place...after Anna guilts Maisie into letting her hook up with the boy she knows Maisie has adored her entire life.
This leaves Maisie stuck with Sebastian's best friend Beamer, AKA the reason Maisie isn't as close as she once was with Sebastian, AKA The Worst, AKA he eats his own boogers. And Beamer literally won't let up on Maisie.
Then of course there's the beauty pageant, which really doesn't feature as strongly as the blurb might lead you to believe. This is less about beauty pageants and more about friendship and family. And I suppose realizing that relationships can be right under your nose the entire time, but honestly the book was less romance for me than coming of age/Maisie learning to love herself.
So with all this teenaged nonsense why did I enjoy this book so much?
One, Maisie's voice is incredibly funny (and that ending, omg).
And two, this is a love letter to teenagers and growing up. Of evolving relationships and healing and forgiveness...or not. Of learning what is okay and what is not, and how friendships can change over the years. Sometimes breaking up with a friend can be harder than with a sexual partner, and sometimes friendships change so much they no longer resemble what they once were.
And three, this is a book about learning to love yourself, in whatever shape you come in. And realizing that it's not brave to just exist—that's setting the bar pretty damn low.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
I am SCREAMING! It's basically Australian Dumplin but read this damn book! Read it! Read it! Read it!
I saw this quote on Instagram one time, this thing about how nobody can really love you until you love yourself. But how can you love yourself when even the people who are supposed to love you no matter what can't accept what you are?
Maisie's voice immediately jumped off the page for me. She was snarky, teenaged and whip-smart, which hid a wealth of insecurities and just...teenness that had me rolling on the floor and/or crying in sympathy.
Forget a minimum drinking age, there needs to be a maximum drinking age. People over the age of thirty-five should have more dignity. It's embarrassing to us all.
Lol, it's so true. I loved Maisie's parents, who acted like real parents of teens today instead of the stand-ins for the author's parents (which happens in so many YA books that it's not even funny), and especially Maisie's mom's friend Lauren, who was The Best.
At the base of Maisie's insecurities is her body. She is fat, and has hid herself from the world because she's been faced with nothing but hatred about her body and her body's existence her entire life. From her mother to her sister to her best friend to everyone else, her size has been an issue. And seeing her sister's new girlfriend sends her on even more of a nosedive, since her perfect, fat-shaming sister is dating a girl who is fat.
Maisie has accepted her roll as the ugly friend, especially since her BFF is conventionally pretty. But Anna is recovering from a bad breakup, which leads Maisie to invite her along to her family's beach house, where Anna meets Maisie's long-time super secret crush and summer friend, Sebastian.
Sebastian, being hot, and Anna, also being hot, immediately hit it off and start snogging all over the place...after Anna guilts Maisie into letting her hook up with the boy she knows Maisie has adored her entire life.
This leaves Maisie stuck with Sebastian's best friend Beamer, AKA the reason Maisie isn't as close as she once was with Sebastian, AKA The Worst, AKA he eats his own boogers. And Beamer literally won't let up on Maisie.
Then of course there's the beauty pageant, which really doesn't feature as strongly as the blurb might lead you to believe. This is less about beauty pageants and more about friendship and family. And I suppose realizing that relationships can be right under your nose the entire time, but honestly the book was less romance for me than coming of age/Maisie learning to love herself.
So with all this teenaged nonsense why did I enjoy this book so much?
One, Maisie's voice is incredibly funny (and that ending, omg).
And two, this is a love letter to teenagers and growing up. Of evolving relationships and healing and forgiveness...or not. Of learning what is okay and what is not, and how friendships can change over the years. Sometimes breaking up with a friend can be harder than with a sexual partner, and sometimes friendships change so much they no longer resemble what they once were.
And three, this is a book about learning to love yourself, in whatever shape you come in. And realizing that it's not brave to just exist—that's setting the bar pretty damn low.
But me, just existing in my body? Wearing things that perform a function? Nah, I don't think that's brave.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Read
December 3, 2018It doesn't happen often. That contemporary playfulness and romance (so common in US contemporary) combined with a distinctly Australian sensibility but What I Like About Me but it did. And I really, really enjoyed it.
And as a plus-size girl, I respected Guillaume's exploration of judgement - directed inwardly, from friends, family and strangers. And the fat girl got a lovely person. LOVE.
The voice is definitely in my wheelhouse. I loved the humorous throwaways and the introspection verging on self-destructiveness that is common in teens. I would have liked to have seen a little more fleshing out of the secondary characters (maybe a victim of the edit?) but I think it's a really strong debut.
Hear! Hear! I am definitely here for fun YA!
And as a plus-size girl, I respected Guillaume's exploration of judgement - directed inwardly, from friends, family and strangers. And the fat girl got a lovely person. LOVE.
The voice is definitely in my wheelhouse. I loved the humorous throwaways and the introspection verging on self-destructiveness that is common in teens. I would have liked to have seen a little more fleshing out of the secondary characters (maybe a victim of the edit?) but I think it's a really strong debut.
Hear! Hear! I am definitely here for fun YA!
February 16, 2019
I’m sure I’m not the first person to say this, but I really wish I’d had this book at as a teenager. Body positive YA literature just didn’t exist then and I can’t help but imagine how integral What I Like About Me is going to be for a whole generation of Aussie teens who feel ‘other’ but will realise they’re a) not alone and b) completely normal and/or extraordinary.
March 16, 2020
*This review was originally posted on TheFandom.net*
What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume delivers a quick read that strikes a spark about self-image, but unfortunately doesn’t produce flame.
Maisie Martin is spending her summer vacation just like every other year; at a camping ground with her family and friends. But this year, things seem to be a bit different. Her dad is MIA, her typically distant sister is back with a few surprises, and her best friend tags along. Things seem like they’ll be alright, but of course, her best friend starts dating the guy she’s always loved. In the middle of everything, Maisie is forced to keep a daily journal during her summer vacation.
I’m not going to lie, the format of the novel threw me off. Each chapter is a daily journal entry that Maisie writes at the end of the day. Some were short with good reasoning, and some were of good length for a journal entry. But most of the time we got hit with pages and pages of detailed conversations that took about the realistic aspect of a daily journal entry. I just couldn’t picture someone remembering so many details of events for it to fully capture me.
That’s where the narrative and characters come in. When I first started the book, I thought the main character to be around thirteen or fourteen instead of sixteen. Her voice seemed a bit childish and immature, but as the book progressed, I think her voice improved and matured a bit. This is especially true when she started speaking about her weight, family, and friends. We see everything happening from her perspective, which could also be frustrating because Maisie didn’t catch obvious signs that were right in front of her about certain situations and seemed to make things worse instead.
The cast of supporting characters seemed to be a hit or miss type of situation. It felt like a lot of them had no depth to them aside from being people who were just there, and at times I wanted to scream at them for both good and bad reasons. It almost seemed like Guillaume would get a character to a point where something great could happen and then hold back and not give it to us. For example, Beamer, who happens to be someone Maisie doesn’t exactly like but puts up with. His character had so much story behind him that we catch a quick glimpse and then it gets taken away.
But then we get characters like Leila, who I wanted to cherish and would almost have rather read a book about her and her friends instead. She was part of the reason that the narrative’s voice matured and became a bit more grounded. She helped spice the story up as well with her bubbly personality and interesting dreams. To be honest, she kind of saved this book for me and helped me enjoy it much more than I normally would.
There were some plot points that I thought seemed a bit random and didn’t exactly fit into a perfect puzzle. From her relationship with her best friend and her sister, to the relationship of her parents, to a random beauty pageant she decides to join– there were many things that should have been made bigger and not just breezed upon. Whenever we got a reveal about a plot point, the impact wasn’t nearly as big as it would have been if there was more into it.
But the main thing I have to talk about is the weight issue. A lot of us have dealt with it, whether the doctors tell us that we’re considered overweight or we look in the mirror and hate the bodies we’re in. Weight was an important part of the novel that was touched on by the basics only. I honestly expected to see how she struggled with her weight but in the end it turned out to be the way she views herself. And let’s just say she gets pretty mean with herself at times. We’re given a glimpse to her weight concerns without fully diving into it.
I honestly expected something a bit more from What I Like About Me. It had a lot of potential to be a fire instead of a spark in today’s conversation about weight. And while there are lessons that everyone should learn in this book, from body image to getting rid of toxic relationships, I think it could have been dealt with a bit better.
What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume delivers a quick read that strikes a spark about self-image, but unfortunately doesn’t produce flame.
Maisie Martin is spending her summer vacation just like every other year; at a camping ground with her family and friends. But this year, things seem to be a bit different. Her dad is MIA, her typically distant sister is back with a few surprises, and her best friend tags along. Things seem like they’ll be alright, but of course, her best friend starts dating the guy she’s always loved. In the middle of everything, Maisie is forced to keep a daily journal during her summer vacation.
I’m not going to lie, the format of the novel threw me off. Each chapter is a daily journal entry that Maisie writes at the end of the day. Some were short with good reasoning, and some were of good length for a journal entry. But most of the time we got hit with pages and pages of detailed conversations that took about the realistic aspect of a daily journal entry. I just couldn’t picture someone remembering so many details of events for it to fully capture me.
That’s where the narrative and characters come in. When I first started the book, I thought the main character to be around thirteen or fourteen instead of sixteen. Her voice seemed a bit childish and immature, but as the book progressed, I think her voice improved and matured a bit. This is especially true when she started speaking about her weight, family, and friends. We see everything happening from her perspective, which could also be frustrating because Maisie didn’t catch obvious signs that were right in front of her about certain situations and seemed to make things worse instead.
The cast of supporting characters seemed to be a hit or miss type of situation. It felt like a lot of them had no depth to them aside from being people who were just there, and at times I wanted to scream at them for both good and bad reasons. It almost seemed like Guillaume would get a character to a point where something great could happen and then hold back and not give it to us. For example, Beamer, who happens to be someone Maisie doesn’t exactly like but puts up with. His character had so much story behind him that we catch a quick glimpse and then it gets taken away.
But then we get characters like Leila, who I wanted to cherish and would almost have rather read a book about her and her friends instead. She was part of the reason that the narrative’s voice matured and became a bit more grounded. She helped spice the story up as well with her bubbly personality and interesting dreams. To be honest, she kind of saved this book for me and helped me enjoy it much more than I normally would.
There were some plot points that I thought seemed a bit random and didn’t exactly fit into a perfect puzzle. From her relationship with her best friend and her sister, to the relationship of her parents, to a random beauty pageant she decides to join– there were many things that should have been made bigger and not just breezed upon. Whenever we got a reveal about a plot point, the impact wasn’t nearly as big as it would have been if there was more into it.
But the main thing I have to talk about is the weight issue. A lot of us have dealt with it, whether the doctors tell us that we’re considered overweight or we look in the mirror and hate the bodies we’re in. Weight was an important part of the novel that was touched on by the basics only. I honestly expected to see how she struggled with her weight but in the end it turned out to be the way she views herself. And let’s just say she gets pretty mean with herself at times. We’re given a glimpse to her weight concerns without fully diving into it.
I honestly expected something a bit more from What I Like About Me. It had a lot of potential to be a fire instead of a spark in today’s conversation about weight. And while there are lessons that everyone should learn in this book, from body image to getting rid of toxic relationships, I think it could have been dealt with a bit better.
March 2, 2019
I was given an advanced reading copy of this book, and HOLY MOLY it was so good I’ll definitely be buying a finished copy come March 2019!
This is EXACTLY the kind of YA I longed for when I was a teen and experiencing the inevitable self-loathing of not having a super skinny bod. This is such a wonderfully funny, feel-good, body positive book that will make you laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time.
There are so many relatable scenes (shopping for swimwear) and observations (the hate of peeling prawns) that I felt like someone had gotten inside my head and put it all on paper.
Would definitely give this one a solid 6 stars out of 5 if I could.
This is EXACTLY the kind of YA I longed for when I was a teen and experiencing the inevitable self-loathing of not having a super skinny bod. This is such a wonderfully funny, feel-good, body positive book that will make you laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time.
There are so many relatable scenes (shopping for swimwear) and observations (the hate of peeling prawns) that I felt like someone had gotten inside my head and put it all on paper.
Would definitely give this one a solid 6 stars out of 5 if I could.
August 30, 2020
Trigger warnings: fat shaming, body shaming, lying.
30/8/2020
Rereading this was a fantastic idea. I laughed, I cried, I loved every second of it. Also, Beamer and his hankies made me want to reread Looking for Alibrandi because it's a very Jacob Coote thing to do.
26/2/2019
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and I absolutely flew through it and loved every single second of it. Was it a little predictable? For sure, but I gave zero fucks because it was so stinking cute.
I loved Maisie as a character. Hell, I loved ALL the characters. I loved how much movies played a role in the story, how much learning to love yourself and be comfortable in your own skin played a role in the story. Beamer is...kind of an asshat at times, but he's an adorable asshat who's not afraid to make a fool of himself. And I loved that it's an Australian summer YA story, because so often summer YA books are very VERY American.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and rewatch Dirty Dancing immediately.
30/8/2020
Rereading this was a fantastic idea. I laughed, I cried, I loved every second of it. Also, Beamer and his hankies made me want to reread Looking for Alibrandi because it's a very Jacob Coote thing to do.
26/2/2019
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and I absolutely flew through it and loved every single second of it. Was it a little predictable? For sure, but I gave zero fucks because it was so stinking cute.
I loved Maisie as a character. Hell, I loved ALL the characters. I loved how much movies played a role in the story, how much learning to love yourself and be comfortable in your own skin played a role in the story. Beamer is...kind of an asshat at times, but he's an adorable asshat who's not afraid to make a fool of himself. And I loved that it's an Australian summer YA story, because so often summer YA books are very VERY American.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and rewatch Dirty Dancing immediately.
March 17, 2020
I think middle-school-adolescent me would have enjoyed this book very much.
No-longer-a-teenager-but-far-from-an-adult me thought it was cute and humorous, but also a very predictable young adult romance novel. Regardless, What I Like About Me truly is a lovely book about body positivity, the ups and downs of friendship, family, and being comfortable with who you are.
Also, I cried. But you all know by now how much of an emotional mess I am when it comes to family moments.
I have never read a book set in Australia though, so that was a first for me and very fun. And of course, the hate-to-love trope is a guilty pleasure of mine.
But like, can someone tell me what Beamer’s name is? Please?
I would give this Discovery Journal a solid B.
No-longer-a-teenager-but-far-from-an-adult me thought it was cute and humorous, but also a very predictable young adult romance novel. Regardless, What I Like About Me truly is a lovely book about body positivity, the ups and downs of friendship, family, and being comfortable with who you are.
Also, I cried. But you all know by now how much of an emotional mess I am when it comes to family moments.
I have never read a book set in Australia though, so that was a first for me and very fun. And of course, the hate-to-love trope is a guilty pleasure of mine.
But like, can someone tell me what Beamer’s name is? Please?
I would give this Discovery Journal a solid B.
February 27, 2019
THIS WAS JUST SO DELIGHTFUL AND REAL AND CUTE AND WONDERFUL.
So perfectly Australian and cute and filled with self love and body positivity and everything wonderful and just the sweetest book.
Yes, I will reread this very soon.
Also, can there be a sequel and can I please know what Beamer’s name is?
So perfectly Australian and cute and filled with self love and body positivity and everything wonderful and just the sweetest book.
Yes, I will reread this very soon.
Also, can there be a sequel and can I please know what Beamer’s name is?
February 26, 2019
Teenage-Me would have loved this. Almost-Thirty-Me DID love this. Aussie summer vibes, seaside towns, awkward crushes and juggling friends and family—it’s all there. The body positivity was fantastic. I could take a leaf out of Maisie’s book on that!
December 28, 2021
Drôle, touchant, addictif et plein de jolis messages... j'ai adoré !
December 2, 2021
wow.
this book hit me hard. it REALLY reminded me of my childhood as a fat girl (but minus the romance). this ended up being one of the most important books I've read in terms of self-acceptance and I needed it because while my size is ever changing - bigger or smaller, self-acceptance is an ongoing journey and for that reason, I'm thankful for a book like this :,)
this book hit me hard. it REALLY reminded me of my childhood as a fat girl (but minus the romance). this ended up being one of the most important books I've read in terms of self-acceptance and I needed it because while my size is ever changing - bigger or smaller, self-acceptance is an ongoing journey and for that reason, I'm thankful for a book like this :,)
April 13, 2019
When I first started reading this book, I felt quite uneasy and I couldn’t put my finger on exactly why. After a while I realised it was because the author had so perfectly captured the tone of an awkward teenage girl writing in her journal that I felt like I was reading one of my own teenage journals back and feeling embarrassed for myself! This is such a beautiful story that starts out as a lovely, light hearted teenage romp and moves deeper to explore so many issues and really makes you think deeper about the way young girls move in the world and their right to take up space. It will be heartwarming for young girls who are going through this, but also really eye opening for those whose bodies aren’t judged so harshly to understand what their peers are coping with.
On another note entirely, I so wish I’d had a Maisie and a Leila in my life when I was that age, they seem like the most awesome fun.
On another note entirely, I so wish I’d had a Maisie and a Leila in my life when I was that age, they seem like the most awesome fun.
January 10, 2019
Sweet, funny, smile-until-your-cheeks-hurt cute contemporary Australian YA. All about Summer romance, sisterhood, family, friendships, and body image.
Though I haven't read Dumplin' (only watched the movie) I think this book will probably be heavily compared to it because of the fat teen protagonist and the beauty pageant side plot.
But I think there is enough in this book to stand alone as a great representation of what Summer is like for Aussie teens. It delves into lots of relevant social concerns around different kinds of relationships, romantic and otherwise, and the voice is so beautifully realised and unpretentious.
Though I haven't read Dumplin' (only watched the movie) I think this book will probably be heavily compared to it because of the fat teen protagonist and the beauty pageant side plot.
But I think there is enough in this book to stand alone as a great representation of what Summer is like for Aussie teens. It delves into lots of relevant social concerns around different kinds of relationships, romantic and otherwise, and the voice is so beautifully realised and unpretentious.
March 2, 2019
Pure. Joy.
March 4, 2019
Review copy provided by Pan Macmillan Australia in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own.
I had long been looking forward to this one, I always enjoy a feel good story, and I loved how honest and raw this one came across as – and the fact that it was written in diary entries made me feel all the more connected to Maisie.
She’s a wonderful character, truly – I feel so proud of her for how far she’s come from the start of her entries) firstly being not at all happy about having to document thoughts and such in a journal, a schools’ way of thinking the students will be on a better path to wellness) to honestly triumphing after a sometimes heart wrenching but otherwise soul lifting experience!
Maisie was such a refreshing narrator, looking to hopefully enjoy the summer away from home, holidaying it with her mum and heartbroken best friend in tow. There were definitely some fractured relationships at the start of this book, between mother and daughter, and Maisie and her sister, but I love how each of these were expanded upon, going into why so much hurt was felt, which definitely lead to some emotional scenes. I loved Maisie’s family, really, I felt like their dynamic was so honestly written and I could picture all their interactions!
I loved Maisie’s relatable awkwardness, and how much friendship was important in this book – Maisie and her best friend honestly want one another to be happy, and whilst I found Anna’s actions to be questionable (especially near the end of the book), I did love that she always defended Maisie and was there for her when people would bully her (note, no one should ever be subject to fat shaming, it’s horrible!), yet I love that Maisie recognises parts of her body that she loves and that throughout the book, she adds to that list more! I was so proud of her for entering the beauty contest, it was just so refreshing and inspiring to see her own her beauty! And I totally had Time of My Life stuck in my head during the ending of the book, I even have it stuck in my head as I type. I always enjoy movie references in books, and Dirty Dancing was so cleverly referenced in this!
Can we also just appreciate Beamer’s action hero banter with Maisie, honestly it was just so much fun to read about! I love how Beamer would always try to put a smile on Maisie’s face, and the two of them I reckon had my favourite interactions of this book!
If you like contemporary books or just a feel good read, you will LOVE What I Like About Me!
I had long been looking forward to this one, I always enjoy a feel good story, and I loved how honest and raw this one came across as – and the fact that it was written in diary entries made me feel all the more connected to Maisie.
She’s a wonderful character, truly – I feel so proud of her for how far she’s come from the start of her entries) firstly being not at all happy about having to document thoughts and such in a journal, a schools’ way of thinking the students will be on a better path to wellness) to honestly triumphing after a sometimes heart wrenching but otherwise soul lifting experience!
Maisie was such a refreshing narrator, looking to hopefully enjoy the summer away from home, holidaying it with her mum and heartbroken best friend in tow. There were definitely some fractured relationships at the start of this book, between mother and daughter, and Maisie and her sister, but I love how each of these were expanded upon, going into why so much hurt was felt, which definitely lead to some emotional scenes. I loved Maisie’s family, really, I felt like their dynamic was so honestly written and I could picture all their interactions!
I loved Maisie’s relatable awkwardness, and how much friendship was important in this book – Maisie and her best friend honestly want one another to be happy, and whilst I found Anna’s actions to be questionable (especially near the end of the book), I did love that she always defended Maisie and was there for her when people would bully her (note, no one should ever be subject to fat shaming, it’s horrible!), yet I love that Maisie recognises parts of her body that she loves and that throughout the book, she adds to that list more! I was so proud of her for entering the beauty contest, it was just so refreshing and inspiring to see her own her beauty! And I totally had Time of My Life stuck in my head during the ending of the book, I even have it stuck in my head as I type. I always enjoy movie references in books, and Dirty Dancing was so cleverly referenced in this!
Can we also just appreciate Beamer’s action hero banter with Maisie, honestly it was just so much fun to read about! I love how Beamer would always try to put a smile on Maisie’s face, and the two of them I reckon had my favourite interactions of this book!
If you like contemporary books or just a feel good read, you will LOVE What I Like About Me!
August 4, 2019
So cute it deserves its own Netflix movie
December 21, 2018
Seriously going to be my favourite YA contemporary of 2019. Review to come.
September 9, 2019
4.5 ★
I don't tend to look for the background of the writer before choosing a book so I didn’t know it is an aussie ya. Being at the edge of late 20, I kept my expectations very low while reading YA because my taste changed over the time and mind craves for mature contents still I often find myself craving for light read. I took this book as the cover seemed to be very bright and the synopsis gave a hint of fluffy light read. But the book amazed me big time.
Maisie is a sixteen years old who has a plus sized body, is in love with her mother's bff's son, has a hot sister and a hot bff. She has insecurities, has family problems, past with her sister. Guillaume wonderfully built Maisie as a funny teenager where I think she covered her insecurity under the veil of her sense of humor. I personally love Maisie for her funny journal writing yet so practical approach with her family members.
So many things are covered considering the small size of the book. Maisie is insecured of her body, she doesn’t know how to approach to her crush, she know something is wrong between her parents. Yet she takes bold moves toward her future. Maisie is you, Maisie is me. Maisie is the funny sidekick who always left unnoticed, gets neglected, advised to follow someone else's footsteps. Maisie is the person who always craves for a little positive attention, motivation but doesn’t get them.
This book is about friendship, body positivity and family relations. The romance is not cliche but warm and realistic. The character Leila is to die for. Everybody deserves a person like Leila in life. A separate book should be written on her. I love the part where Leila told Maisie why she cannot be fat and beautiful both at the same time. Other characters are also very connectible.
Guillaume makes me want to read aussie lit more and more. So many aussie vibes in one book yet she pulled it very cleverly and made the whole story universal by putting body shaming and winning it, romantic confusion, family crisis and tale of hearts in one binding.
Read it by beach. It's a perfect summer read with waves. Waves that would thrust you in the story and bring happiness at the end.
I don't tend to look for the background of the writer before choosing a book so I didn’t know it is an aussie ya. Being at the edge of late 20, I kept my expectations very low while reading YA because my taste changed over the time and mind craves for mature contents still I often find myself craving for light read. I took this book as the cover seemed to be very bright and the synopsis gave a hint of fluffy light read. But the book amazed me big time.
Maisie is a sixteen years old who has a plus sized body, is in love with her mother's bff's son, has a hot sister and a hot bff. She has insecurities, has family problems, past with her sister. Guillaume wonderfully built Maisie as a funny teenager where I think she covered her insecurity under the veil of her sense of humor. I personally love Maisie for her funny journal writing yet so practical approach with her family members.
So many things are covered considering the small size of the book. Maisie is insecured of her body, she doesn’t know how to approach to her crush, she know something is wrong between her parents. Yet she takes bold moves toward her future. Maisie is you, Maisie is me. Maisie is the funny sidekick who always left unnoticed, gets neglected, advised to follow someone else's footsteps. Maisie is the person who always craves for a little positive attention, motivation but doesn’t get them.
This book is about friendship, body positivity and family relations. The romance is not cliche but warm and realistic. The character Leila is to die for. Everybody deserves a person like Leila in life. A separate book should be written on her. I love the part where Leila told Maisie why she cannot be fat and beautiful both at the same time. Other characters are also very connectible.
Guillaume makes me want to read aussie lit more and more. So many aussie vibes in one book yet she pulled it very cleverly and made the whole story universal by putting body shaming and winning it, romantic confusion, family crisis and tale of hearts in one binding.
Read it by beach. It's a perfect summer read with waves. Waves that would thrust you in the story and bring happiness at the end.
March 5, 2019
This is so charming and delightful I read the entire thing in one night and cried at the end.
March 25, 2019
Oh boy. Here's the thing, I never cared about the 'so-and-so has a crush on so-and-so but omg her friend said WHAT, I can't believe she even, yeah I totally heard that GASP' etc etc even when I was in high school, and it is SO much harder to care about it now. So I knew going in that I probably wasn't going to love this one.
That aside, I think I still wouldn't have minded this book too much if it hadn't been for one of the most problematic tropes that I really had hoped we'd seen the last of years ago.
Having said all of that, it was a nice easy read and there were some good lines in it - such was when Maisie was counting the things she liked about herself, and acknowledged that although that weren't many to start with, there were more than 0 and how she was optimistic that the number might get steadily higher. I quite liked that bit.
Younger and less cynical readers might enjoy this one a lot more than me.
YA Circle Bookclub: March 2019
That aside, I think I still wouldn't have minded this book too much if it hadn't been for one of the most problematic tropes that I really had hoped we'd seen the last of years ago.
Having said all of that, it was a nice easy read and there were some good lines in it - such was when Maisie was counting the things she liked about herself, and acknowledged that although that weren't many to start with, there were more than 0 and how she was optimistic that the number might get steadily higher. I quite liked that bit.
Younger and less cynical readers might enjoy this one a lot more than me.
YA Circle Bookclub: March 2019
January 23, 2019
A beautiful and uplifting rom com of a novel that is sure to join the ranks of Dumplin’ and the Upside of Unrequited.
I loved this from start to finish and Maisie is a beautiful, funny and charming voice.
I loved this from start to finish and Maisie is a beautiful, funny and charming voice.
January 12, 2019
What a gem. This novel is one of the most realistic contemporary works of late, capturing and exploring female friendships, family dynamics and self esteem. Maisie could be right there in your friendship group now. Well written, well paced, bursting with humour and kissing!
May 6, 2019
What a cute read!
I knew I was going to love this, so I held back on reading it till I knew I could just binge it in one or two sittings.
Here are some things I loved about this book:
- Body-positivity messages
- The love-interest. I was SO. HERE. FOR. IT. What a guy (I maybe swooned a little)
- The protagonist. What a girl (The gal, the myth, the legend, the one and only!)
- HILARIOUS. So heartfelt. So funny. So GOOD.
Buy this book immediately and swoon your heart out!
I knew I was going to love this, so I held back on reading it till I knew I could just binge it in one or two sittings.
Here are some things I loved about this book:
- Body-positivity messages
- The love-interest. I was SO. HERE. FOR. IT. What a guy (I maybe swooned a little)
- The protagonist. What a girl (The gal, the myth, the legend, the one and only!)
- HILARIOUS. So heartfelt. So funny. So GOOD.
Buy this book immediately and swoon your heart out!
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