What a fantastic book. As a disabled person, there were so many things in here to relate to. Not just the writing style, but so many chapters that address different aspects of how disability and systemic ableism can alter our own perceptions of our bodies, how the world views disabled bodies, and what we can do to combat and be at peace with both. This is truly such an important book and I hope everybody picks it up. it’s also not just for disabled people, though that is definitely the target market, but I think a lot of abled people would benefit from reading this and seeing how they can help dismantle systemic issues that lead to the types of body grief discussed in the book. A new disability canon up there with Alice Wong.

This is the single most important book to me that I have read in this era of my life. I have read countless grief books looking for what I need but they are all about losing somebody else. I’ve desperately been searching for a book that deals with losing your own life as you know it yet having to keep on living (aka becoming chronically ill and/or disabled). This book is finally what I’ve been searching for.

This book had so many parallels to my life. Everything in this book spoke to me so hard. I loved learning about the stages of body grief. Many of the stages I was very familiar with and could reflect on having spent (or currently spending) lots of time within. Some of the examples the author used sounded like they were pulled directly from my life.

I highlighted so many portions of this book and could’ve highlighted so much more. I know I will be rereading this many times over and referring back to some of the exercises in the book.

One of the great things about this book is that it can be relevant to so many people. My life and experiences are very similar to the author, but the book is not just for people who are chronically ill or disabled. It’s for anybody who experiences body grief, or whose body does not act how they want it to - so people who are aging, have eating disorders, body dismorphia, sports injury, etc. I will be recommending this book to a lot of people, so if you know me irl be prepared for me to not shut up about this book!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review.

A few years ago I was diagnosed with a large mass in my chest - attached to the back of my heart, nestled between both lungs. This was the beginning of several medical conditions that started to pop up year after year. Now in my mid-50s, I know that my time may be limited to do the things I most wish to do in this life. This is Body Grief, by Jayne Mattingly, first caught my eye because of the title. It described how I felt when I was first diagnosed. Reading through the chapters was like I was looking back over the time just following that diagnosis as I struggled to understand what was happening with my body and what it might mean for my future. I found Mattingly's book to be well written and researched, easy to understand, and highly relatable.

"No matter what we are experiencing in our body, we have a right to simply enjoy the experience of being here."

"This is Body Grief" by Jayne Mattingly is an enlightening read for, as the author says, anyone with a body. The book was like a light in the dark, a huge "ah-ha" for me. The author includes activities for the reader that I found to be on point. I recommend reading this book slowly over time to truly digest the concepts. Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for providing me a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This Is Body Grief by Jane Mattingly is a beautifully written and deeply compassionate guide to navigating the complex emotions that come with living in an ever-changing body. Mattingly’s honesty and vulnerability shine through as she shares her own experiences alongside those of others, creating a powerful sense of connection and understanding for anyone grappling with Body Grief.

What sets this book apart is its groundbreaking approach to reframing our relationship with our bodies. Instead of fighting against what we perceive as limitations, Mattingly invites readers to make peace with their bodies through self-compassion, grace, and the acknowledgment of grief as part of the healing process. The seven stages of Body Grief she outlines provide a clear, empathetic roadmap for moving from self-blame and hopelessness to eventual body trust.

This book is an essential read for anyone struggling with their physical changes—whether due to illness, aging, or any other challenge. It’s a heartfelt reminder that while healing may not be linear, our bodies are always on our side. Inspiring, validating, and life-affirming.

As someone who is chronically ill and physically disabled — especially with an “invisible illness” — this book felt like it was written to speak to me and my struggles. It put into words so many things I’ve thought, felt, and really needed to hear. The concept of Perceived Body Betrayal really opened my eyes. There were so many lines I highlighted, and the book was constantly making me question my internal ableism and how that affected how I view my body. Genuinely, I think this book will help me change the relationship I have with my body. I also appreciated that this book would be impactful for anybody, because we all have bodies and with that will all at some point experience body grief.

What a vitally important book. This Is Body Grief explores a feeling that so many of us have experienced but may not have had the language for.