Read this when
Heavy: An American Memoir
He lost the weight and still felt heavy. Because some weight isn't on the scale. 🖤
Who it's for
Laymon writes the whole book to his mother, addressing her as 'you', and that structure makes it feel like overhearing the honest conversation many readers have never been able to have with a parent.
Feelings it meets
What it is
Kiese Laymon's 2018 memoir, written in the second person and addressed to his mother, traces his life from childhood in Jackson, Mississippi, into adulthood. It examines his relationships with his single mother and his grandmother, alongside his struggles with weight, sex, gambling and writing, and the secrets he spent years avoiding.
Where to find it
In print; widely available from libraries (Libby/Hoopla) and as an audiobook read by the author. Not public domain.
Before you start
Heads up: Childhood sexual abuse; disordered eating.
Age: Adult (18+)
Out, damned spot! out, I say!William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 1
