From the Bookshelf of Addicted to YA…

Dumplin' (Dumplin', #1)

Julie Murphy

Start date: July 1, 2017

Finish date: July 31, 2017

Discussion: Series

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the theme BOTM
Theme: Beauty Pageant
[close] Won the poll for the theme BOTM
Theme: Beauty Pageant

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Series

* Continuing Series- Nightbane
By Bailey · 4 posts · 30 views

last updated Aug 12, 2025 07:32AM

* New Series- The Princess Trials
By Bailey · 10 posts · 59 views

last updated Aug 27, 2025 04:41PM

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What Members Thought

Nov 06, 2017 Naomi rated it liked it

I didn't think I wanted to read this book. It sounded kind of like Hairspray, or some other book about a fat girl finally being ok with herself. But I picked it up today on a whim and I liked it, for the most part. It was well written and enjoyable to read. I liked a lot of the characters and some of the plot, but I also had a bunch of issues. (view spoiler) I didn't think I wanted to read this book. It sounded kind of like Hairspray, or some other book about a fat girl finally being ok with herself. But I picked it up today on a whim and I liked it, for the most part. It was well written and enjoyable to read. I liked a lot of the characters and some of the plot, but I also had a bunch of issues. (view spoiler)[ First of all, I hate the cop-out at the end. You cannot have a book about a competition and then not decide who wins the competition because it's not 'important'. But whatever. I know this book was hailed as some kind of amazing book about body positivity and whatnot, but it was still a book all about someone being overweight and how thats somehow the biggest issue in the world. Yes, it is a big part of people's lives, especially teenage girls in highschool. And I know the book is about a beauty pageant. But there was something about this book that just felt old. Like it had been done before. And I know that every book has been done before, but here it kinda disappointed me. I wanted there to be something different. But the mom is the same mom that we see in every book with a teenage daughter. The Dolly Parton obsession was kinda just a thing on the sidelines. The drag queens was funny, but then felt like it was only there because the author felt like it was cool. I liked Hannah. I wish our main character was more like Hannah. Or even like Amanda. She just seemed ungrateful and kinda annoying. My god, Ellen annoyed me. She was a bitch. Yes, Willow was terrible too. But it makes no sense to me that after all those years you have a stupid fight and then just stop being friends for months. And Callie was maybe the most annoying of all of them. Why do we have to have a stereotypical, super pretty mean girl? It's so boring. And it just turns into girl on girl hate. Friends can grow apart without there being a tyrannical mean girl coming between them. I also wish Bo did more to deserve Willow. Mitch was really nice and Bo just wasn't. And I'm ok with her being with Bo, or not being with anyone, but I just didn't like how the relationships worked out in the end. I liked Lucy, or the recalling of Lucy. I liked Hannah and Millie and Amanda. Honestly, Willow was kinda awful most of the time, but characters don't always have to be perfect. I know that I went on a little rant, but I still really enjoyed the book. (hide spoiler)] I'm curious about the movie adaptation and about the next book in the series. There is a lot of character development that I really want to see. ...more

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Jul 07, 2016 Rachel rated it really liked it

I love that there is a book where the main character is a bigger girl and she is ok with that and then sometimes she's not. So true to real life, so days you love your body and some days you hate it. I also love that she isn't the "Funny Fat Friend" Hollywood has done a little better in accepting bigger women but only really if they are funny. This book was a great acceptance book and I LOVED how it ended, everything about it was perfect.

Can't wait to see what else the author has planned. ...more

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Apr 19, 2020 Emily Sherwood rated it liked it

This book was OK....a little simplistic but fun.

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Sep 11, 2015 Tweller83 rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, romance, district-book-committee

This one was very sweet and the first "fat girl" book that seemed authentic to me. Confident and bold sometimes, insecure and wavering at others. Willowdean is believable. I loved the friendship she has with Ellen. I would have liked a little more resolution with Mitch, but overall liked this book very much. I think possible high school only because of all the sex talk, but might be persuaded otherwise. Will need a 2nd read on this from another committee member. ...more

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