Lena Baker is a miracle of a character, so real and so complex and bursting with life off the page. I was deeply invested in her story, fascinating set against the history of Oregon's Black history.

Where do I even begin? Renée Watson did THAT.
I truly think I highlighted this entire book. Though I’m not a fat Black woman like Lena, Watson’s writing pulled me in so deeply that I felt every part of Lena’s journey. From the fear of taking up space to the realization that taking up space is both needed and necessary, her growth was beautiful to witness. The communities portrayed in this story, both literally and figuratively broken and mended, added so much depth.

This book takes you through the full range of emotions. I felt anger, heartbreak, fear, and joy. The relationships are layered and deeply human. By the end, I was rooting for Lena, her friends, and her family to find healing and happiness.

I also appreciated the history of Black Oregon that was woven throughout the story. As a history lover, I found those moments compelling and meaningful. They didn’t feel like background information, but instead, added context and weight to Lena’s story.

A few quotes I loved:

“How to make space for a feeling, let it be what it needs to be instead of pushing it aside, pretending it's not there. It shows up in other ways, at other times. Sometimes months, years, decades later. But always it finds its way, so I might as well welcome it now, let it stay as long as it needs to.”
“What do mothers do when they feel weak?”
“Love is a risk, a trust in the uncertain, a walk of faith, a calculated gamble. Love is not about falling in, but growing in.”
“I am starting to be who I always thought I was.”

My daughter has a few of Renée Watson’s middle grade books on her shelf, and I can’t wait to read them with her. Renée Watson is now officially an auto-buy author for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is a must-read.

This was my first Renee Watson book, but it will not be my last! I loved "skin & bones" so much. Watson's writing style is poetic yet simple. She writes with such raw emotion and feeling for her characters, while tackling such important topics of today.
#netgalley #skin&bones

Skin & Bones follows the life of 40-year-old Lena Baker, who is navigating the complexities of motherhood, friendship, faith, and self-identity. The story is set in Portland and delves into Lena's relationships, especially with her daughter Aaliyah, her friends Aspen and Kendra, and the community around her. The novel explores themes of body positivity and the Black experience in the Pacific Northwest, while also addressing issues such as dating and fat-shaming.

Skin & Bones stands out for its rich character development and the authenticity of its themes. Watson's writing style is both engaging and profound, making it hard to put the book down. The novel's strengths lie in its emotional depth and the nuanced portrayal of its characters. However, some readers might find the pacing slow due to the detailed exploration of various themes. Overall, Skin & Bones is a beautifully crafted novel that offers a deep and moving narrative, making it a must-read for those interested in contemporary social issues and the Black experience in America.

I picked this book up yesterday and we’re already done. It was that good 🤷🏾‍♀️

There were so many things to love about this read: Watson’s beautiful, poetic writing style (although it’s not a book of poetry). The formatting of the chapters. The flow of the story. *chef’s kiss*

So many themes were discussed. Fatphobia, sexism, racism, motherhood, self-love, friendship, this list goes on. And while that sounds like a lot, they were beautifully handled and fit well in the story.

Lena navigates life as a fat, Black woman who is developing her own self love and confidence while navigating her roles as a mother, daughter, friend, lover, and coworker. Watson does an amazing job of showing Lena’s perspective and growth throughout the story. There were also many Black moments that I could relate to and had me chuckling lol

Portland, OR was more than just the setting. I learned so much about Portland’s Black history and loved that element in the story. I found myself googling as I was reading and I love when a book about encourages me to go further than what’s given on the pages.

I haven't read Reneé Watson since her YA novel "Pieces of Me," and this one, written for adult audiences, is equally as compelling. 
 
On page one we find out that Lena is obese --not just obese, but morbidly obese, as a nurse wrote at the top of her chart. And as a Black woman, it shows up as more of an issue. When she attends gatherings and events intended for "fat women," she and her other Black friends still feel marginalized in a sea of whiteness. 
 
Lena was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, a city with a small but proud Black community with a rich history. As the DEI director of a library, Lena strives to bring awareness of this history to the entire city. Aside from her work life, (where working with white folks proves challenging on a daily basis), Lena is a daughter, and single mom to an eight year old daughter named Aaliyah, who is herself on the way to becoming very overweight, which leads to serious issues. "My daughter is broken, and I want to fix her, but I can't fix her because I am broken too. I don't know which is harder, being a Black girl, or raising a Black girl" (284).  
 
Lena is about to marry a man who disappoints her, and learning how to forgive figures prominently in this book, and not just regarding romantic love, but within friendships and among family relationships. 
 
This book is 400 pages, but it is a very quick read, with some pages only containing a paragraph or less. There are many themes addressed in this very visceral novel, not least of which are white societal beauty standards and an examination of whether one can be fat and also healthy.  
 
Highly recommend!

I've only read Renée Watson's YA and it was really refreshing seeing her write an adult novel! This is definitely a book to avoid if you don't like books with little plot/lowkey conflict; somehow, there's a lot happening but nothing at the same time? I really enjoyed following this main character while she lives her life as a fat black woman. I didn't identify with her with a lot of things but as someone who has struggled with eating, it was nice to see myself in that way. Renée does a great job making all of her character very complex and real! The characters were so complex that even though this wasn't the longest novel, my feelings about certain characters fluctuated from liking them to hating them and back to liking them. This author has so much potential for writing adult literary novels and I'm excited to see her write more like this!

"Skin & Bones" is a compelling novel told from the perspective of Lena, a plus-sized Black woman in her forties. After a shocking confession from her fiancé on their wedding day, Lena's world is turned upside down, forcing her to reflect on her past, relationships, and self-perception. This thought-provoking story delves into race, body image, and societal expectations, making it a highly recommended read.

Every single one of my mutuals has given this book a five star rating… and there is a reason why!

What piqued my interest in “skin & bones” was the fact that it was literary fiction written from the perspective of a Black woman in her forties, and lord knows we desperately need more stories with older protagonists.

Lena is a plus-sized single mother who, for the most part, has the perfect life. She has an amazing friend group, a close-knit family, a stable job, and is planning her wedding with the love of her life. On her wedding day, however, a confession from her fiance overturns her entire world.

Skin & bones discusses very important themes, primarily around the intersectional experience of being both plus-sized and Black in America. Lena has been through much, and continues to navigate spaces where she is not welcomed in this book.

This is the second book that I’ve read this year (the first being Heavy by Kiese Laymon) that focuses on diet in the Black community and how it affects our bodies, and I think this is a conversation that needs to be had more often and more openly. As Lena grapples with all of the sudden major changes in her life, she is forced to reflect on her upbringing, her relationships with men, her relationship with her daughter and friends, her relationship with the church and food, and her perception of self and beauty.

This book made me cry many, many times.

Five stars from me too!

skin & bones by Renee Watson is a must read! It is lyrically and poetically written with a gorgeous flow to the storytelling. This book was a poignant and introspective look at ourselves, our relationships and our ability to walk through this life with as little scars as possible. The historical aspects were really great as were the overcoming of challenging and devastating viewpoints. With a spectacular spotlight on community and friendships skin & bones will provide a prolific perspective and have you thinking about its message for years to come. I need to own it in hardcover immediately!

Beautifully written and engaging text centering Black women. I loved everything about this book. The main character resonated so much with me because of everything she went through in her dating and friendships. I loved how descriptive the writing was and would love to see Renee write more adult fiction. The best book I’ve read this year.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read. This book was very well done and I enjoyed it right from this start. I think this is a good read for everyone. I think I will have this in my head for a long time.

I adore Renee Watson, so naturally I was excited to read this book. It's fair to say that I was not disappointed. The writing was beautiful, and even though the chapters were short they really packed a punch. This is a story about heartbreak and healing but it is also a story about self-discovery and taking up space.

Lena is 40 and we meet her at a time in her life where she is very comfortable. She is preparing to get married, she has great friends and she's happy. Then she receives information on her wedding day that changes everything. Forced to pivot Lena begins to question her life and choices as a Black woman.

Lena goes through a lot in this book racism, fat phobia, heart break but her journey is inspiring. I loved the characters. I will say that the pace at the beginning was a little slow for me, but it came together about halfway through.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

When I started this book I could not get into it but the book got better and I found myself grappling with emotions. The wordplay,the plot ,the execution and the whole book is a masterpiece. It should be read by every woman ,man and everyone. I am still thinking of it.

I would give this book a million stars. It touches so many themes: being a woman, being a Black woman, Black history, body positivity, female friendship, motherhood, family and relationships. I personally related a lot with the descriptions of the MC being fat and how society is constantly trying to shame us into being smaller. The writing is exquisite, almost poetic, without dragging not even a tiny bit. The chapters were short (my favorite), so I read it compulsively. This is a run, don't walk situation, Go get it.

This book was a love letter to the forgotten Black community of Portland as well as Black women with curvy bodies. A story about forgotten history, love & loss, self discovery, & forgiveness. It’s a must read.

“...not only do the stories of my ancestors matter, but my story matters too. They were here and I am here. And I will make good use of this breath.”

Lena is in such a good place in her life when her world gets rocked by an unexpected confession on her wedding day. We then follow her as she struggles to get her life back on track and still hold on to her sense of self.

I can’t even begin to express how much I loved this book. It’s more than a story of a large Black woman dealing with fatphobia, racism, and heartbreak. It’s a story about being seen, about realizing that you are a person, you are human, and you have the right to exist and take up space. It not only acknowledges Lena, but it acknowledges the Black people who have come before, who shaped history, and it acknowledges the Black people today who just want to live.

The book doesn’t flinch away from the struggles and the pain that Lena faces on a daily basis, but it also deeply celebrates the love and happiness in her life. It reflects thoroughly on universal themes of trying to be a good mother, trying to find love, trying to keep up with the changes of time, and trying to understand the loss of loved ones. All of this in an interesting vignette/poem style that keeps the reader engaged.

I don’t buy books often, but I can’t wait to purchase this one when it comes out. I know it’s one that I’ll want to return to often, just to soak in those words and reflections, and tell myself that, like Lena, I am here, I am here.

Renee Watson’s “Skin & Bones” was a page-turner for me. Lena Baker – the protagonist – faces realistic situations covering all aspects of her life. To begin with, she is a smart and attractive Black woman who happens to be exceedingly overweight. We get to know Lena - and her supporting village of family and friends – through her many roles as a daughter, mother, friend, and fiancée. She deals with complicated romantic relationships, racism, and struggles inwardly about her weight, especially when faced with insensitive comments from health providers and outright body shaming from strangers. Watson, like her character Lena, is from Portland, Oregon and we learn some interesting Black history facts about Oregon. Overall, it is a captivating story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.

How could I pass up reading a book written for adults by Renee Watson? I love her books for middle grade and young adult readers. This book didn't disappoint. Lena is a 40-year-old large Black woman with a young daughter, supportive parents, two close girlfriends, a fulfilling job and is about to get married. Her life changes on her wedding day and she has to reevaluate her life. I loved going along on Lena's journey. The Portland setting was familiar from her other books.

This book was a refreshing read, offering themes of sisterhood, mother-daughter relationships, romance, self-care, and self-discovery. Although the format was initially confusing, I grew to love it as I continued reading. Lena's complex character was compelling.