★★★½

I wish I had read this book sooner because it screams self-love and that's exactly what I need. Topics like feminism, body positivity and being POC were addressed amazingly and the author's passion comes across so well. The poems either made me feel heard or educated me on something.

The poetry form wasn't my cup of tea however it's clear that she knows what form she wants to use and that makes it a lot better. Even though I prefer something more traditional, with lots of rhyme, I would love to have a physical copy of this book for when days are rough and my self-image could use a boost.

I really, really enjoyed this. Wiley's writing is so relatable to anyone who struggles with vulnerability or insecurities (so...everyone, right?). I had trouble choosing a favorite poem in this collection, there were so many that spoke to me specifically so much that I could have written them myself (especially the ones with Greek myth metaphors). Standout favorites: 'Brass Knuckles', '10 Honest Thoughts on Being Loved By A Skinny Boy', 'Wife Material', 'Paper Babies', and 'An Open Letter To The Assistant Manager of the KFC I Visited Last Week' (because it made me laugh out loud).

Beautifully written and powerful words.

"My excuse is my body needs no excuse to be loved,
No excuse to be seen,
No excuse to be touched, enjoyed, celebrated."

Rachael Wiley speaks volume about body positivity and feminism in this beautiful poetry collection.
I loved her way with words and her unapologetic way of being. It's a thought-provoking collection that should be read, enjoyed and reread.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an arc! I really enjoyed reading this poetry book. This is such a bold book about loving and accepting one's body as it is. It's raw, painful and hits where it hurts. There's no sugar coating or downplaying the difficulties faced by fat people. Some poems in this book were so boldly written that they send shivers down my spine. However, I also felt that some poems could've been more refined? But it was a great read, nonetheless. I would recommend this to everyone as beauty standards affect everyone and they should also be aware of the experiences of a fat person in this world which is constantly making them feel unworthy.

I picked this up because I had heard some really interesting things about this book and thought it would be something I would enjoy.
Many thanks to Rachel Wiley, Button Poetry and Netgalley for providing me a copy of the book, in exchange for an honest review.
Fat Girl Finishing School is a collection of poetry on topics such as fatphobia, queer culture and family. I found the collection really interesting and there were some poems that resonated with me a lot.

Funny, not quite crude anthem to one's own self at unapologetically being, the Fat Girl. This collection of poems, provide a humorous in-depth look into the life of a 'fat girl'; a sincere, witty visual through love letters, thoughts, and public admonition as written by the entertaining, sidesplitting and amusing Rachel Wiley

Unfortunately I do not have the ability to download books in this form. Sorry about that. Will make sure to pay attention to the format availability.

Fat Girl Finishing School explores themes such as self-love, gender stereotypes, and fatphobia as well as making commentary on societal norms in blunt and lyrical verses that express Rachel Wiley's thoughts with no apology. An interesting contemporary poetry compilation though I feel some of these compositions would've been better hearing them spoken and not read.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Button Poetry publishers for providing a free ARC

5 stars

I have loved following Rachel Wiley on Button Poetry and was so excited to get a full-length copy of Fat Girl Finishing School. This is an incredible volume filled with poignant pieces dealing with self-love, heartbreak, fatphobia, being biracial, and so much more. As a plus-size woman who deals with many of these issues every day, it touched me very deeply.

She has such a unique voice and I cannot wait to hear more from her in the future!

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

I first became a Rachel Wiley fan when I discovered her video on facebook late one night where she was performing 10 Thoughts on Being Loved by a Skinny Boy. It was as if I wrote the words myself. As a fellow "fat girl" I could relate on so many levels. It was if she were me and I were her in that moment.

I love reading her work, but I love even more hearing it performed...for her words truly are meant to be a performance. She is witty, raw, and unapologetic. Her poems speak to me in a way that leaves me exposed, understood, and emboldened all at the same time. She makes me realize that I don't have to apologize for my body, or change who I am to make things more convenient for other people. That I am deserving of love just as much as anyone else. And for those things alone, her words are important and impactful. I encourage anyone with self-doubt, self-hate, or body image issues to read it and take it to heart. <3 <3 <3

This was my first book of poetry and I really enjoyed the honesty and bluntness from this author.

There was a lot of relatability throughout the book. I particularly enjoyed ‘10 honest thoughts on being loved by a skinny boy’ and ‘Naked atonement’.

I did have initial issues in trying to download and open the file but for anyone having problems just download Adobe Digital Editions.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

First off - I too, had problems opening the file but a quick google search told me that all I needed to do in order to open this file is download Adobe Digital Editions, so if you're having problems, give that a go.

Now on to this lovely collection. Wiley's style is quick-witted, to the bone honest, evocative and memorable. There were many passages in her poems that I've highlighted to go back to because they struck a chord in me, from:

"No, I have earned each one of my sins and I will keep them"

to "You are deserving of war cries and soft love both,/ of gentle hands and unbracing", Wiley's poetry worms its way into your heart.

Her series of love letters to her body is very moving, "The Fat Circus Lady Eulogizes Mary the Elephant" made me cry with how vivid the images were, full of anger, anguish, desolation and promise to do better. The first haiku of "The Unbearable Likeness of Being on OkCupid" made me chortle with laughter.

What Wiley gives us here, is a love letter to the sidelines, to the ones who are on the edges, treated with scorn and shameful desire. She's not afraid to talk about bodies in all their glorious grossness - like the poem where she talks about vaginal yeast infections. This collection is unexpected, in the best of ways.

While I did not enjoy this one as much as Nothing is Okay, I had been looking forward to reading this for awhile and appreciated Rachel’s ability to write about her feelings about society’s expectations of women without apology.

Fat Girl Finishing School is a dynamic book of poetry that has themes of body positivity, self acceptance, and insightful social justice and feminist commentary woven throughout. My favorite poems were Americana, Ode to Tracy Turnblad, Hoarder, The Circus Lady Eulogizes Mary the Elephant, and Blood Tongue. Rachel Wiley is a gifted poet and I highly recommend this book.

Advanced reader's copy provided courtesy of #NetGalley for an honest review.

This book was beautiful and so emotionally resonant. Would recommend to anyone who's looking for a poetry collection that leaves you thinking about it for hours afterward.

As with the other reviewers unfortunately the download does not open. It is a real shame!
The cover, concept and overall vibe I got from was interesting and alluring.

I love discovering new contemporary female poets, so I was really excited to pick up this book. Honestly, I was stunned at the boldness of Wiley's writing. It really feels like she's shedding off her skin and opening her heart. I don't often find that kind of honesty, so it made me feel intimidated and, frankly, a bit embarrassed. This is how you know the poet reveals the deepest parts of her. And it's brave and absolutely beautiful.

However, I have to reveal a bit of a dilemma I had with the title of this book. It basically screams that being fat is the main thing about Wiley - but it's just not true. "Fat Girl Finishing School" is coming of age poetry collection about, yes, body and body image, but also first times, race, bullying, hopes and dreams and more. I do love the colorful cake on the cover as it hints at Wiley's individuality and femininity.

Finally, while I adored the stories and thoughts written on the pages of this book, I didn't really like the writing style. This is entirely my personal preference, but I didn't highlight any verses on Kindle, which is what I do when I think I must come back to admire a certain excerpt.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was trying to find something new to read and when I saw LGBT+ and poetry, I knew I had to read this. Eventually, I realized that I've heard Wiley's poems before in their spoken version so I was happy for a chance to read more of her work. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this in return for my unbiased review! 

This collection of poems is beautiful. These poems come across as symbolic and unique. It feels like they're telling a story, they let you into this world and it's so easy to just let them into your heart. I am doing a terrible job of describing poetry poetically so I'll just say this poetry collection is great. 

However, the marketing of this book of poems was not great. The impression that I got was that this would be a book about being a fat girl. .True, Wiley's most famous poem is about that but this book of poetry is so much more and I feel it's a shame the cover or description doesn't do justice. This collection of poems is broad and special, touching across so many topics and ideas. A lot of the poems here have to do with growth, with acceptance, with boldness, with race and faith, with the complicated experience of being human. I think many people could enjoy this book, regardless of their gender or body.

My absolute favorites from here were Purple Hearts, Shutter, Brass Knuckles, Three Heart Monty, The Circus Fat Lady Eulogizes Mary the Elephant (this nearly made me cry, I seriously can't read things about animal cruelty), and Paper Babies but all of the poems were really nice. I can see myself coming back to this, especially when I feel overwhelmed with doubts.

All in all, if you're looking for a solid poetry collection, this is definitely one to check out! Wiley also does some spoken word poetry and it's amazing as well. I look forward to read more of her work!

<b> What I'm Taking With Me </b
- Did I just read an entire book as a way to escape my academic failures? Yes but hey, Plato would totally support picking poetry over economics so this is fine.
- Also, we all need reminders that our bodies are fine, especially right now, when I can see the years I've spent working on long distance running fade away and seriously, I'm terrified of what it will feel like to go on a run once this ends and realize that I've lost years of progress.
- I want to name years after what I wish will happen in them, that's such a beautiful idea.
- Also the idea that you lend your body to people when you're in a physical relationship with them, that feels like it makes sense.

Unfortunately I am having the same problem as the other review. My file won't open either.

The cover is stunning though. I was really looking forwards to reading it.