Resources for the Holy Puppy

As promised, here is a list of books and DVDs that have been helpful to me in my struggles with body image, spirituality, and identity. 

There are dozens of books out there on these subjects, but these are the ones I have read, loved, and got a lot out of.  I’ve read plenty of others that I don’t wholeheartedly recommend. One of these days I'll compile a list just of cookbooks (trust me, those are vitally important in learning how to nurture your body, as they give inspiration for what can be an extremely dull and depressing thought--cooking for yourself).

And of course I would recommend my own book, The Body Sacred.

Most of what’s here is geared toward women; titles with a (*) are those that are non-gender-specific.  Those I’ve found especially moving and life-changing are in bold.

Spirituality and the Body

The Body Sacred by Dianne Sylvan
*Crafting the Body Divine by Yasmine Galenorn
*Sexual Ecstasy and the Divine by Yasmine Galenorn
Eating in the Light of the Moon:  How Women Can Transform Their Relationships with Food Through Myths, Metaphors, & Storytelling by Anita Johnston, PhD
Aphrodite’s Daughters: Women’s Sexual Stories and the Journey of the Soul by Jalaja Bonheim
*Sweat Your Prayers: Movement as Spiritual Practice by Gabrielle Roth
*Rites of Pleasure: Sexuality in Wicca and NeoPaganism by Jennifer Hunter
*Moving into Ecstasy: An Urban Mystic’s Guide to Movement, Music, and Meditation by Amoda

Self-Esteem

The Fat Girl’s Guide to Life by Wendy Shanker
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
Cunt: a Declaration of Independence by Inga Muscio
I’m the One that I Want by Margaret Cho
Fat!So? Because You Don’t Have to Apologize for Your Size by Marilyn Wann
Kiss My Tiara: How to Rule the World as a Smart-Mouthed Goddess by Susan Jane Gilman

Food, Health, and Fitness

Real Fitness for Real Women: A Unique Workout Program for the Plus-Size Woman by Rochelle Rice
*Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
*Don’t Eat This Book! By Morgan Spurlock
*Mad Cowboy by Howard Lyman

Fiction

Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner (I'm rereading it right now, as a matter of fact--it makes me cry every time.)

Film

Margaret Cho: I’m the One that I Want and Notorious C.H.O.
The Truth About Cats and Dogs
Last Holiday (anything with Queen Latifah in it, actually)
Real Women Have Curves

Have anything you'd like to add to this list?  Leave it in comments.

Comments

[Luna]

Awesome list! To Film, I'd add Antonia's Line.

[Sarah]

This is a wonderful list. I'm definitely going to check out Eating in the Light of the Moon.

[Aimee]

I think I'm going to go out and get all of the Self-Esteem books-- sounds like a great bunch! I also completely agree with Last Holiday and Real Women Have Curves, the latter of which is a inspiring and wonderful movie. <3