This was a really informative, engaging and powerful book that discusses the need for intersectionality within society. It also really gets into the concerns with representation in media and how many of us connect with pieces or f ourselves when we see parts of us in public figures/ media. I really felt this book and am exited to see what Jonathan writes next.

Jonathan P. Higgins invites readers into their lived experience, offering a powerful account of the challenges they’ve encountered as a Black, fat, femme individual. They explore how the absence of representation in media not only silences voices like theirs but also shapes how others perceive them. It was an insightful and compelling read. I’m now eager to follow their journey and see what they create next

I got this as an audio arc on Netgalley and it has since come out. This was w good read narrated by the author themselves. Because the voice is pleasant and the book fast paced I found myself just flying through it. Definitely recommend.

Black. Fat. Femme.
Revealing The Power of Queer Voices in Media and Learning to Love Yourself

I Picked Up This Book Because: Curiosity.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Netgalley
Dates Read: 4/10/25 - 4/13/25
Rating: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Jonathan P Higgins

I like where Dr Higgins is going in this book. This would probably make for a fascinating discussion in book club. My only complaint is the excessive use of the word “perform”.

Jonathan P. Higgins gives us a journey through their life and how being a black fat femme person has given them hardships and how not having representation in media can also shape what other people think of you at a glance. It's always one thing to be marginalized in one way but having a trifecta of diversity can make it very difficult to find your place and ppl who accept you.
I picked this book up as someone who's white, fat, and trans. As someone who's also fat and non-binary I loved hearing about their journey to accepting themself.
I wasn't familiar with Jonathan Higgins before this book but it was a very good read and I'm definitely gonna be following their socials and looking forward to more of their work!
4/5⭐

This book is without a doubt the best one I’ve read this year. The author adds so much personality to the audiobook as the narrator. I felt empowered and inspired. This book made me both. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook Black. Fat. Femme.

I would love to get this book in the hands of the intended audience: Black fat femme individuals. While I was not the intended audience for this book, there were so many moments that this book spoke to me. There were so many moments in which my experiences were being echoed and I finally felt heard as a Latinx, Nonbinary, Queer person. Jonathan P. Higgins closes this book talking about the importance of being visibly queer but also acknowledging how that isn't always easy and how complex that is. Higgins doesn't shy away from speaking the truth and calling out how the media have impacted Black fat femmes throughout time and continue to have an impact. There are so many moments of this book that I shared with my therapist because it brought up things that I hadn't thought about in the past, but now realize the lasting impact that they have had. This audiobook feels like the author is having a conversation with you and pauses just in the right moments for you to think about what they just said.

We've all been impacted by media, but for some of us, finding ourselves within the stories available has been easier than for others

Jonathan describes the celebrities and how people spoke about those celebrities that have impacted them throughout their life. They describe the importance of representation (especially that which is done well).

As someone who has struggled with the performance of femininity, I related so much to the stories where Jonathan described how they struggle to perform in the masculine way that was expected of them.

My heart broke for the way their family and peers treated them and as someone who one day would like to parent it reinvigorated me in my desire to be a safe adult not just for my children but their friends as well.

Also loved the Disneyland note at the end! (IYKYK).

Genre: Memoir
Age: Adult
Representation: Black Fat Femme, Black Queer Joy, Intersectionality, Non-binary Trans
Read for: Netgalley
Obtained from: Thanks to RBmedia and Netgalley for the ALC
Song recommendation for the vibes: Never Too Much, Luther Vandross

Jonathan’s memoir is heartfelt and deeply personal, filled with vulnerability and pride. His reflections on identity and the powerful impact of role models—especially those who reflected even a small piece of his experience—really resonated. You can feel the importance of representation on every page. It's moving to see Jonathan step into that space himself: proudly Black, femme, and fat, offering visibility for those who’ve felt unseen. Memoirs are always tough to rate, but this one deserves a solid four stars.

Wow, I was absolutely blown away by Jonathan P. Higgins' novel, Black. Fat. Femme. Higgins takes us on their personal journey and inability to find comfort and safety due to their intersectionality of identities (black, fat, femme, growing up in faith- Jehovah Witness). Part education and part memoir we learn about the reality of the black, fat, femme experience through Higgins life. Higgins really and truly gives flowers to the black fat femmes before them. I learned a lot from this book and recommend it to anyone who has experienced bullying from family members, rejection due to their identities, and is working on embracing their unique self! Another highlight in this novel was Higgins explaining how so many learn about the gay experience/culture from primarily white, fit, gay media representations! Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook Black. Fat. Femme.

I received this audio book as an arc from NetGalley.

I loved this audiobook.
Jonathan Higgins narrates it perfectly.

He intertwines the complexities of being Black, Fat and Femme in our society eloquently and powerfully.

Once I started this audio I didn’t want to pause it! I finished it in two days.

It had me nodding along and having several “aha” moments. It touched and pulled at my heart too.

While I am not black, I am fat/latina/lesbian. And a lot of his lessons and journey I felt I could relate to.

Even if you cannot relate to his story, you should listen or read it. I believe this book will become a paramount piece of material for the queer community.

Take your flowers Dr. Higgins, you more than deserve them!

Adored this. Loved this. So much.

Like I had such a great fun time listening to this and learning more about gender identity. SO great. I have no more opinion, just that. Love.

I wasn't familiar with Jonathan P. Higgins before the book and honestly, am not even familiar with Ru Pauls Drag Race, which has significant impact on the storyline, but always appreciate the opportunity to hear a new message.
This whole book felt like a conversation over pasta and wine, and I really enjoyed that part. I enjoyed the life lessons learned and honest self critiques that came along with it.
The audiobook was clear and well-paced. Definitely an easy read.

This is an empowering and vulnerable memoir is a must-read for those struggling or who struggled in the past with accepting and embracing themselves.

thank you to netgalley, author jonathan p higgens ed. d, and publisher, rbmedia for this audiobook copy of black. fat. femme. what a delight, thank you!
all opinions are my own, regardless and always.
this book was honest, while empowering at the same time with practical discussions and expressions of life lessons learned, and a path forward.
this was a good read and should find its way to your bookshelf. the insight, eloquent storytelling and empowering message is needed right now.
this was release march 25, 2025, meaning it’s out now!
i highly recommend the audiobook which was clear and comforting.

I finished this book essentially in a day but I had to lit it simmer with my spirit for a few days. This book is something I wish I had in my teens. Hell, even my early 20s. I would of made better decisions had something like this existed. This book has been on my wishlist ever since I saw it was announced. Was giddy with excitement when my request was accepted. Jonathan has written something so beautiful and widely relatable that I thought Jonathan was just in my brain recounting memories of my childhood and my relationship with media. Really excited to see more from this author. Highly recommend for all the Black, Fat and Femme people to read. The audiobook is even better. It felt like the warm hug 13 year old me needed.

I wasn’t familiar with Jonathan Higgins before this book, but the description caught my attention and I wanted to hear the message they had to share. I listened to the audiobook and was so glad the author narrated it themselves. It felt like a personal conversation with a close friend, making the experience even more impactful.

I really appreciated how Higgins broke down the lack of media visibility for those who don’t fit the so-called "ideal" appearance in the queer community. They also highlighted the stark differences in how various queer identities are represented in media, which gave me a new perspective on things I had seen but never fully processed.

Even though I’m not the book’s title demographic, I found so much of Jonathan’s story and insights relatable and inspiring. This is a book anyone can appreciate—especially those who have struggled with self-acceptance, recognizing their worth, or embracing their authentic selves.

Thank you NetGalley & RBmedia for this ARC!