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Full of Myself: A Graphic Memoir About Body Image
Author and illustrator Siobhán Gallagher’s humorous and heartfelt graphic memoir details her journey from being anxious and unhappy to learning to love herself as she is.
"I’m proud of the person I’ve become because I fought to become her." At the age of thirty Siobhán Gallagher looks back on her teenage years struggling with anxiety and diet culture, desperate to become a beautiful, savvy, and slim adult. As an adult she realizes she hasn’t turned out the way she’d imagined, but through the hard work of self-reflection—cut with plenty of humor—Gallagher brings readers along on her journey to self-acceptance and self-love.
"I’m proud of the person I’ve become because I fought to become her." At the age of thirty Siobhán Gallagher looks back on her teenage years struggling with anxiety and diet culture, desperate to become a beautiful, savvy, and slim adult. As an adult she realizes she hasn’t turned out the way she’d imagined, but through the hard work of self-reflection—cut with plenty of humor—Gallagher brings readers along on her journey to self-acceptance and self-love.
308 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2024
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May 9, 2024
"i’m proud of the person i’ve become because i fought to become her."
trigger warning: ed, mentions of body image, diet culture, anxiety, self-harm, depression, body dysmorphia.
with these words, siobhán gallagher introduces us to the world of body image, where everybody essentially feels like shit. and since nobody knows that, everybody will continue feeling like shit because that is how you feel when you’re alone. struggle is often surface-level and easily picked up through emoting and such, but one of the hardest struggles is the hardest detected. after all, how can the most basic human function for survival be twisted into days of starving yourself? only people who have ever looked at themselves in a poor way or gone through eating disorders will truly understand the answer to this question.
eating disorders are often mocked. i know mine was. they’re also glorified as well� when i was in seventh grade, everybody was telling me how prettier i was. the next year, on the road to recovery, there were no comments on this, as i did not look as stereotypically wonderful as before. i looked average, but average to me at the time was absolutely despicable. i got help, i got therapy, i got doctors, all of that. but i’ve said this before: i did not feel seen.
this book is accessible in one word. it takes you through the cruel mind of teenage you, where it was possible that you fantasized about being that teeny person that i am not today. now, as an adult, siobhán reflects on diet culture and more. her points about society aren’t exactly new or original. they’re not breakthroughs by any means, but they are still brave. i have to commend that: it’s brave to introduce unpopular points in media and social networks in published form, especially in a unique comical manner like she so wonderfully shows us is possible.
let’s talk about the things i loved. siobhán’s wittiness complimented the art style perfectly, blending in morals and deep remarks with art that took the pressure off. serious books are stressful, but contradictory ones like this make it much easier to dive into hard topics. her writing style is relatable, wry, and a little “fuck you� to the world <3
but. i don’t know� the same things that i adored about this book made me unsure about my rating. i loved the cute design, but siobhán’s presentation of her points was hazy. in my opinion, they needed more explanation. some of the illustrations are just little doodles, which weren’t enough (especially since she’s literally explaining a construct of today’s modern population). also, this book occasionally reads like a memoir and then as a self-help book…kind of a switching of genres, which was inconsistent and at times, like i said, confusing.
i would totally recommend this to anyone struggling with body image and eating disorders that find their escape in books, (note: those are two different things) but keep in mind that i went in with sky-high expectations and got disappointed at the lack of punch some of siobhán’s words have. you might’ve been told some of this stuff before, but i think it’s incredibly cool and wonderful that now you can just pick up a book written by someone who’s gone through the same experience you have. i hope it might make people feel seen.
November 13, 2024
I overall enjoyed this graphic memoir a lot. Really appreciated Siobhan Gallagher’s honesty about her issues with self-esteem, body image, self-harm, and more throughout her life. Her drawings were engaging and aesthetically appealing to the eye so I didn’t feel like I was “working� to get through Full of Myself. Though the contents were sometimes sad, her colorful illustrations and sense of humor were refreshing and real. Loved her analysis of the media and her candor about the many instances she faced of men objectifying her in gross and sexist ways.
I liked Gallagher’s veracity about the messiness of her life through many stages and that she also wrote about her healing process. Several of her steps toward healing resonated with my experience of recovering from disordered eating, like reading and deeply internalizing feminist writing about body image (thank you Appetites by Caronline Knapp!!), engaging in intuitive and mindful eating, and doing exercise that feels pleasurable and isn’t focused on weight loss (I haven’t weighed myself in years). I understand there are limitations to Gallagher’s narrative given her many privileges as a white, mid-sized, college-educated, cisgender woman, though I felt that she acknowledged these constraints and wrote from her a heartfelt place within them.
I liked Gallagher’s veracity about the messiness of her life through many stages and that she also wrote about her healing process. Several of her steps toward healing resonated with my experience of recovering from disordered eating, like reading and deeply internalizing feminist writing about body image (thank you Appetites by Caronline Knapp!!), engaging in intuitive and mindful eating, and doing exercise that feels pleasurable and isn’t focused on weight loss (I haven’t weighed myself in years). I understand there are limitations to Gallagher’s narrative given her many privileges as a white, mid-sized, college-educated, cisgender woman, though I felt that she acknowledged these constraints and wrote from her a heartfelt place within them.
November 29, 2024
BOOK TRIGGER WARNING: bulimia, fatmisia, body dysmorphic disorder, and self-harm.
Full of Myself is the story of Siobhán Gallagher and a fixation on her appearance that she developed as a tween, a fixation that evolved into as an adult, with accompanying bulimia and self-harm. This sequential-art memoir is a little braver in its first half, before the author depicted her adult years, because it shows her growing awareness, and internalization, of what a patriarchy elevates and what it oppresses in women and men.
Gallagher admits to being “a voracious student of pop culture as a teen,� further clarifying that she watched too many movies and TV shows. She mentions this again at the end to stress the connection between media and what women value and don’t value about themselves (and what men value and don’t value about women). Because most female characters are portrayed in sexist ways, female objectification was regularly reinforced for her. Gallagher did begin drawing certain conclusions, such as
I like Gallagher, and I enjoy her artistic style, respecting especially that she didn’t reduce the prominence of her nose in her illustrations. Those suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (a disorder that, despite the “body� in the label, can apply to only one’s face) are truly looking at themselves in a funhouse mirror: Starting from young childhood, Gallagher was convinced she was fat and that others were never not looking at her with disgust—but she’s not fat. And interestingly, she never drew a self that’s actually fat.
Numerous books in many genres have now covered the topic of body image, yet it doesn’t feel like too many because, as everyone knows, fatmisia, and its offspring—body obsession, eating disorders, and body dysmorphia—remain serious problems. In addition to readers who struggled, or who are struggling, this book is for those interested in understanding the connection between body hatred and sexism. It’s an intimate account of what it’s like to grow up in a female-presenting body, to move through the world as part of a historically marginalized group that’s valued most for its degree of sexual appeal. Gallagher is in a better, successful place now, but this was in spite of immersion in a reality that’s so poisonous to women. For many years her body hatred left her hobbled by depression and kept her stuck in dangerous behaviors that were derailing her life, with no end in sight. In a parallel world where women’s value is in their humanity, not in their appearance, this memoir doesn’t exist.
Full of Myself is the story of Siobhán Gallagher and a fixation on her appearance that she developed as a tween, a fixation that evolved into as an adult, with accompanying bulimia and self-harm. This sequential-art memoir is a little braver in its first half, before the author depicted her adult years, because it shows her growing awareness, and internalization, of what a patriarchy elevates and what it oppresses in women and men.
Gallagher admits to being “a voracious student of pop culture as a teen,� further clarifying that she watched too many movies and TV shows. She mentions this again at the end to stress the connection between media and what women value and don’t value about themselves (and what men value and don’t value about women). Because most female characters are portrayed in sexist ways, female objectification was regularly reinforced for her. Gallagher did begin drawing certain conclusions, such as
It seemed to me that leading men could be adored in any form onscreen—fat (jolly!); quiet (sensitive); old (rugged); rude (bad boy); proper (gentleman); drunk (wild); aloof (mysterious); and selfish (hot anti-hero)—but women had to be desirable, thin, beautiful, and of course, patient with the guys! Only men are allowed to be flawed!Nevertheless, consuming a steady diet of dangerous gender messages meant her body obsession and feelings of worthlessness were inevitable. The moral of this book remains relevant when one considers that we haven’t truly moved the needle when it comes to dysfunctional portrayals, that more content than ever is available, and that most of today’s children are unable to resist screens.
I like Gallagher, and I enjoy her artistic style, respecting especially that she didn’t reduce the prominence of her nose in her illustrations. Those suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (a disorder that, despite the “body� in the label, can apply to only one’s face) are truly looking at themselves in a funhouse mirror: Starting from young childhood, Gallagher was convinced she was fat and that others were never not looking at her with disgust—but she’s not fat. And interestingly, she never drew a self that’s actually fat.
Numerous books in many genres have now covered the topic of body image, yet it doesn’t feel like too many because, as everyone knows, fatmisia, and its offspring—body obsession, eating disorders, and body dysmorphia—remain serious problems. In addition to readers who struggled, or who are struggling, this book is for those interested in understanding the connection between body hatred and sexism. It’s an intimate account of what it’s like to grow up in a female-presenting body, to move through the world as part of a historically marginalized group that’s valued most for its degree of sexual appeal. Gallagher is in a better, successful place now, but this was in spite of immersion in a reality that’s so poisonous to women. For many years her body hatred left her hobbled by depression and kept her stuck in dangerous behaviors that were derailing her life, with no end in sight. In a parallel world where women’s value is in their humanity, not in their appearance, this memoir doesn’t exist.
May 10, 2024
This was heavy, but good, and VERY relatable as another millennial who grew up in the same time frame and dealt with a lot of the same disordered eating and body image struggles. The art was cute, too! I definitely recommend this for anyone interested in reading about the difficulties of growing up AFAB in the 90s and 2000s and dealing with the impact that misogyny and diet culture had on us.
� Content warnings for:
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� Content warnings for:
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January 14, 2024
TW: fatphobia, slut shaming, self-harm, depression, anxiety, disordered eating, eating disorders, and body dysmorphia.
Thank you, NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased, honest review.
Siobhan Gallagher holds nothing back as she takes us on a tumultuous roller coaster of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Through unique, captivating graphics, Siobhan illustrates her struggles with different mental health conditions and attempts to find her purpose as a woman in today's judgmental, patriarchal society.
This is my first advanced review copy (ever!) and the first book I've read by this author (yay!), so let's dig in!
My first thoughts after reading the first 15-30 pages of the book were that I loved Sio's narrating style. I was smiling and chuckling and found her character relatable very quickly.
As I scrolled through the pages and read through her childhood and high school years, I felt fully connected to Sio and empathized with her negative self-talk, anxiety, and difficulty fitting in and finding her own voice.
Her disordered eating resonated so much with me because I've struggled with eating disorders throughout my life. Sio made me feel heard by sharing some of the darkest times of her life and it made me admire her even more as an author!
The visuals and illustrations were incredibly smart, colorful, and absolutely hilarious! I have so many favorite scenes from the book that allowed me to visualize what goes on in my mind (and everyone else's minds for that matter) which helped me understand myself a little better.
My favorite quote from the book: "They didn't disappear completely, but over time, the clouds lifted."
If you've ever felt lost or overwhelmed at any point in your life, this book is for you! Sio will make you feel comfortable and accepted as she teaches you a lesson or two about her years on this earth and the life lessons she's learned so far.
Thank you, NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased, honest review.
Siobhan Gallagher holds nothing back as she takes us on a tumultuous roller coaster of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Through unique, captivating graphics, Siobhan illustrates her struggles with different mental health conditions and attempts to find her purpose as a woman in today's judgmental, patriarchal society.
This is my first advanced review copy (ever!) and the first book I've read by this author (yay!), so let's dig in!
My first thoughts after reading the first 15-30 pages of the book were that I loved Sio's narrating style. I was smiling and chuckling and found her character relatable very quickly.
As I scrolled through the pages and read through her childhood and high school years, I felt fully connected to Sio and empathized with her negative self-talk, anxiety, and difficulty fitting in and finding her own voice.
Her disordered eating resonated so much with me because I've struggled with eating disorders throughout my life. Sio made me feel heard by sharing some of the darkest times of her life and it made me admire her even more as an author!
The visuals and illustrations were incredibly smart, colorful, and absolutely hilarious! I have so many favorite scenes from the book that allowed me to visualize what goes on in my mind (and everyone else's minds for that matter) which helped me understand myself a little better.
My favorite quote from the book: "They didn't disappear completely, but over time, the clouds lifted."
If you've ever felt lost or overwhelmed at any point in your life, this book is for you! Sio will make you feel comfortable and accepted as she teaches you a lesson or two about her years on this earth and the life lessons she's learned so far.
December 10, 2023
INCREDIBLY RELATABLE.
If you feel personally victimized by being a female in the 90’s and early 00’s, this one is for you. We follow Siobhán as child to adulthood and experiencing what it means to find love for yourself in a world that tears down women.
We see the male gaze, self hate, and internalized misogyny. Siobhán Gallagher takes us on her journey of self acceptance and love and I think its something a lot of women struggle with. Incredibly moving and funny, I thought this graphic novel was the perfect story of growing up and learning to love yourself.
⭐⭐⭐⭐�
Available April 2, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
If you feel personally victimized by being a female in the 90’s and early 00’s, this one is for you. We follow Siobhán as child to adulthood and experiencing what it means to find love for yourself in a world that tears down women.
We see the male gaze, self hate, and internalized misogyny. Siobhán Gallagher takes us on her journey of self acceptance and love and I think its something a lot of women struggle with. Incredibly moving and funny, I thought this graphic novel was the perfect story of growing up and learning to love yourself.
⭐⭐⭐⭐�
Available April 2, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 20, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I love when you somehow stumble upon a book at the exact time that you needed it. It was just a few weeks ago that I stumbled upon my old diaries for the first time in over a decade and although incredibly funny, I was shocked and saddened at how much I spoke about my body with such shame and dislike. This memoir was incredibly relatable and summed up so much of the experience I had growing up, and even still feel today. Siobhan does an amazing job at portraying so many of the feelings that many women feel, yet through her own lens. I also loved how she perfectly captured so many of these raw and complex feelings through her artwork. It was funny, honest, moving and very well-done
I love when you somehow stumble upon a book at the exact time that you needed it. It was just a few weeks ago that I stumbled upon my old diaries for the first time in over a decade and although incredibly funny, I was shocked and saddened at how much I spoke about my body with such shame and dislike. This memoir was incredibly relatable and summed up so much of the experience I had growing up, and even still feel today. Siobhan does an amazing job at portraying so many of the feelings that many women feel, yet through her own lens. I also loved how she perfectly captured so many of these raw and complex feelings through her artwork. It was funny, honest, moving and very well-done
December 9, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC.
It hit home a little more closely than I expected, but for that I'm grateful. The book is a reflection for many women, and Siobhan Gallagher does a lovely job portraying it through her own life experiences. Great read.
It hit home a little more closely than I expected, but for that I'm grateful. The book is a reflection for many women, and Siobhan Gallagher does a lovely job portraying it through her own life experiences. Great read.
June 6, 2024
Content warnings for this book: anxiety, depression, self-harm, and eating disorders/bulimia, fatphobia, sexual harassment
Siobhán Gallagher has had a complicated relationship with her body since a young age. She explores this relationship in her graphic memoir,Full of Myself: A Graphic Memoir About Body Image.Her journey to self-acceptance and self-love goes through many highs and lows, a roller coaster of emotions and actions that all influenced the person she has become today.
As a teenager, Siobhán struggles with anxiety and diet culture. Constantly comparing herself to others, Siobhán decides all her issues will be solved if she could just be beautiful and smaller. She struggles with her body for years, feeling alone and unwanted, slipping into long periods of depression and anxiety. As an adult, Siobhán isn't any nicer to herself, but eventually realizes that the person her younger self wanted to be isn't possible. She starts an arduous process of self-reflection, self-love, and understanding that she acknowledges will never fully end.
This book was eye-opening. Seeing Siobhán put all of her emotions, inner thoughts, and experiences out for the world to read was heartwarming, helpful, and accessible. She takes readers through the mind of her teenage self, laying out her desperate thoughts and wishes to be tiny, happy, and not alone. While Siobhán's story is unique to her, some readers may still find content to relate to as they read. This graphic memoir was engaging, the writing was frank, and the illustrations' cartoon style was cute. The ending tied the book together as Siobhán spoke gently to her younger selves, giving them hope, while also being realistic that her body issues will never fully disappear. Anyone who grew up surrounded by diet culture will relate to Siobhán's journey in some way.
- Stephanie, Information Services Librarian
Siobhán Gallagher has had a complicated relationship with her body since a young age. She explores this relationship in her graphic memoir,Full of Myself: A Graphic Memoir About Body Image.Her journey to self-acceptance and self-love goes through many highs and lows, a roller coaster of emotions and actions that all influenced the person she has become today.
As a teenager, Siobhán struggles with anxiety and diet culture. Constantly comparing herself to others, Siobhán decides all her issues will be solved if she could just be beautiful and smaller. She struggles with her body for years, feeling alone and unwanted, slipping into long periods of depression and anxiety. As an adult, Siobhán isn't any nicer to herself, but eventually realizes that the person her younger self wanted to be isn't possible. She starts an arduous process of self-reflection, self-love, and understanding that she acknowledges will never fully end.
This book was eye-opening. Seeing Siobhán put all of her emotions, inner thoughts, and experiences out for the world to read was heartwarming, helpful, and accessible. She takes readers through the mind of her teenage self, laying out her desperate thoughts and wishes to be tiny, happy, and not alone. While Siobhán's story is unique to her, some readers may still find content to relate to as they read. This graphic memoir was engaging, the writing was frank, and the illustrations' cartoon style was cute. The ending tied the book together as Siobhán spoke gently to her younger selves, giving them hope, while also being realistic that her body issues will never fully disappear. Anyone who grew up surrounded by diet culture will relate to Siobhán's journey in some way.
- Stephanie, Information Services Librarian
April 27, 2024
TW: ED/Bulimia, depression, anxiety, self harm
I really enjoyed this, and I related a lot to some of the author's inner thoughts and experiences. The layout of the story was really unique and engaging as well. I liked that the ending was super hopeful, but still realistic about living with these issues. There were some things that I needed to be reminded of, good affirmations to tell myself, and things I wish I could tell my younger self.
One quote particularly stuck out to me: "If I really want attitudes to change regarding controlling women's bodies, I need to do the same for myself." !!!!
Also LOVE the author included a diverse reading list at the end. I'll definitely have to check some of them out.
I really enjoyed this, and I related a lot to some of the author's inner thoughts and experiences. The layout of the story was really unique and engaging as well. I liked that the ending was super hopeful, but still realistic about living with these issues. There were some things that I needed to be reminded of, good affirmations to tell myself, and things I wish I could tell my younger self.
One quote particularly stuck out to me: "If I really want attitudes to change regarding controlling women's bodies, I need to do the same for myself." !!!!
Also LOVE the author included a diverse reading list at the end. I'll definitely have to check some of them out.
December 6, 2023
I love myself!! � 뭔가 달라 달라 Yeah
Yes that is exactly what is this book talking about, heartwarmig. Somehow this feels a raw memoir :')
Thank you to Andrews Mcmeel Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Yes that is exactly what is this book talking about, heartwarmig. Somehow this feels a raw memoir :')
Thank you to Andrews Mcmeel Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2025
uneven, and at time strangely paced, but with a good heart. nothing particularly revolutionary wrt themes (body image and shame, living in a female body under capitalism) but sincere and hopeful, though at times it feels a little too preoccupied with its own moral purpose, ie: to narrativize a feminist coming of conscience and forgive past selves for their obsession with thinness. not preachy, just Aware of itself. which tbf, goes hand in hand with the theme 🤷
April 3, 2024
Read this cover to cover in 1 night! So relatable and real. A must read for women who grew up with diet culture rampant around them!
November 13, 2023
CWs: fatphobia, self-harm, depression, eating disorders, slut shaming & sexual harassment
Full of Myself by Siobhan Gallagher is a memoir told in a graphic novel format about body image, what it's like to grow up as a girl, and a lot more. It is divided into 4 parts - childhood, high school, young adult, and mid-twenties & onward. It follows Siobhan as she grows up and deals with issues ranging from misogyny, fatphobia, body dysmorphia, depression, slut shaming, and much more. It has a very bright, playful, witty writing and illustration style, but it dives deep into those topics and gets quite heavy at many points.
It is a unique way to write a memoir, and I think it's perfect for people who want to read more non-fiction but avoid long, boring texts. It is educational, relatable, and personal. That being said, it gets quite chaotic as well, and a lot is going on in terms of both the writing and drawings. It is a little overwhelming. In a lot of ways, it feels like an introduction to feminism, fatphobia, and everything in between, so I think it could work for people who are starting to learn about it. I wish there was more content about the healing parts because it was really sad in a lot of ways. If you're really sensitive to any of the topics mentioned in the content warnings, I would avoid this one. If you want to read about it though and find a place where you can feel seen in your struggles, I think you should check it out!
When it comes to the illustrations, it wasn't my favorite style - the color schemes are very bright, and it was overwhelming, and the style is very flat and cartoon-like, which is not for me. That's mostly just my own fault since it's already visible on the cover, and I'm sure some people are going to like it a lot more than me.
While it didn't fully work for me, I do think it's a well-written and creative memoir that is going to connect with the right audience!
Full of Myself by Siobhan Gallagher is a memoir told in a graphic novel format about body image, what it's like to grow up as a girl, and a lot more. It is divided into 4 parts - childhood, high school, young adult, and mid-twenties & onward. It follows Siobhan as she grows up and deals with issues ranging from misogyny, fatphobia, body dysmorphia, depression, slut shaming, and much more. It has a very bright, playful, witty writing and illustration style, but it dives deep into those topics and gets quite heavy at many points.
It is a unique way to write a memoir, and I think it's perfect for people who want to read more non-fiction but avoid long, boring texts. It is educational, relatable, and personal. That being said, it gets quite chaotic as well, and a lot is going on in terms of both the writing and drawings. It is a little overwhelming. In a lot of ways, it feels like an introduction to feminism, fatphobia, and everything in between, so I think it could work for people who are starting to learn about it. I wish there was more content about the healing parts because it was really sad in a lot of ways. If you're really sensitive to any of the topics mentioned in the content warnings, I would avoid this one. If you want to read about it though and find a place where you can feel seen in your struggles, I think you should check it out!
When it comes to the illustrations, it wasn't my favorite style - the color schemes are very bright, and it was overwhelming, and the style is very flat and cartoon-like, which is not for me. That's mostly just my own fault since it's already visible on the cover, and I'm sure some people are going to like it a lot more than me.
While it didn't fully work for me, I do think it's a well-written and creative memoir that is going to connect with the right audience!
March 29, 2024
This graphic novel truly is a love song to any millennial women who grew up thinking they weren't good enough and worthy of love as themselves. I related so much to each chapter of this book that I couldn't believe I had so many parallel experiences while reading this. The last chapter of this book truly just filled my heart with so much love. I felt such joy and elation for her to finally realize the amazing things about herself and also nurture her younger self through this book. This was a delight to read and something I truly needed in my life right now as I'm continuing to pour love into myself. Thank you NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for allowing me to read this, it truly was a pleasurable and memorable read.
May 22, 2024
Hilarious, poignant, and totally relatable for those of us gals who grew up in the 90s. I loved reading this.
February 20, 2024
� 4 stars
First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book really reminded me of the iconic monologue America Ferrera gave in the Barbie movie.
This one hit so close to home, but thankfully in a good way. In "Full of Myself" the author takes us on a journey through the different phases in her life and how this influenced her self image. What forms our self image and how does this influence our entire mood? And most importantly, how do we learn to love ourselves in a world that is constantly trying to put us down?
I love that it's a graphic memoir and the cartoon style is really fun.
First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book really reminded me of the iconic monologue America Ferrera gave in the Barbie movie.
This one hit so close to home, but thankfully in a good way. In "Full of Myself" the author takes us on a journey through the different phases in her life and how this influenced her self image. What forms our self image and how does this influence our entire mood? And most importantly, how do we learn to love ourselves in a world that is constantly trying to put us down?
I love that it's a graphic memoir and the cartoon style is really fun.
February 10, 2024
Thanks Netgalley and publisher for giving me a chance to read this graphic novel for free.
I emphasise with Siobhan here going through body dysmorphia like she was very brave at saying how she felt this in her teenagers year in this graphic novel. I also want to say irish representation woop woop 🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️☘️
However what missed to huge mark for me while reading this graphic novel as there were a lot things going on with so many text boxes in each scenes like I felt it was all over shop for me to fully understand what’s happening. If Siobhan maybe just explain her own POV rather then provide tons of pop culture references, I personally think it would have been a more decent graphic novel to read through.
I emphasise with Siobhan here going through body dysmorphia like she was very brave at saying how she felt this in her teenagers year in this graphic novel. I also want to say irish representation woop woop 🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️☘️
However what missed to huge mark for me while reading this graphic novel as there were a lot things going on with so many text boxes in each scenes like I felt it was all over shop for me to fully understand what’s happening. If Siobhan maybe just explain her own POV rather then provide tons of pop culture references, I personally think it would have been a more decent graphic novel to read through.
February 29, 2024
🦭 � 메모 � ۪ ݁ 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬
a cute, somewhat funny, and relatable story about body image and how the author sees herself timing from childhood up to this day. as for my thoughts, i feel so.. seen. i actually requested for this book and im so happy that i was able to get approved for the ARC <3 i, myself, am struggling with my body image specifically how i perceive my body and how i find myself comparing my body to other people’s body. this was so carefully and thoughtfully illustrated and told ! i love the author’s humor and her thoughts about the matter.
full of myself is basically written from the perspective of a woman, but i really do think that this is suitable for all ages even if you are the opposite gender. it totally resonated with me which i am so thankful for ! i have learned and gained new knowledge as well as a new perspective when it comes to the way i look. if you have been struggling with body image, this book might help you as well as it did for me :)) but then again, i can't speak for everyone so feel free to just try it for yourself <3
thank you for this book and of course, thank you to the author for crafting a book so amazing and fun to read while also spitting facts and stories told from personal experiences.
thank you to NetGalley as well ! i love this book so much <3
a cute, somewhat funny, and relatable story about body image and how the author sees herself timing from childhood up to this day. as for my thoughts, i feel so.. seen. i actually requested for this book and im so happy that i was able to get approved for the ARC <3 i, myself, am struggling with my body image specifically how i perceive my body and how i find myself comparing my body to other people’s body. this was so carefully and thoughtfully illustrated and told ! i love the author’s humor and her thoughts about the matter.
full of myself is basically written from the perspective of a woman, but i really do think that this is suitable for all ages even if you are the opposite gender. it totally resonated with me which i am so thankful for ! i have learned and gained new knowledge as well as a new perspective when it comes to the way i look. if you have been struggling with body image, this book might help you as well as it did for me :)) but then again, i can't speak for everyone so feel free to just try it for yourself <3
thank you for this book and of course, thank you to the author for crafting a book so amazing and fun to read while also spitting facts and stories told from personal experiences.
thank you to NetGalley as well ! i love this book so much <3
July 17, 2024
I loved this book so much. I put so much emphasis on being loved and "I'll like myself more if a guy likes me!" so I was sitting there, reading and nodding along. The story about getting the shirt with the cows on it, loving it then getting embarrassed because of your peers, then finding it as an adult and wearing it proudly really hit home for me - I've done similar things myself. It's always exciting to read a book that goes from library book to "I think I'll buy a copy of this" book.
Read
February 18, 2025Graphic memoirs are not my typical read but it caught my eye at the library and I’m glad I picked it up! I enjoyed the illustrations and honest story telling about her life and her journey to self compassion. The little quips of nostalgia were so fun. There is a little something in here for everyone.
Trigger warning: body dysmorphia, self harm and disordered eating
Trigger warning: body dysmorphia, self harm and disordered eating
April 4, 2024
I received an ARC for "Full of Myself: A Graphic Memoir About Body Image." I found this graphic novel thoroughly enjoyable as it chronicles a woman's journey through the years, highlighting her struggles and triumphs. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a relatable narrative for the "average" female experience.
August 14, 2024
FULL OF MYSELF is a unique, thought-provoking graphic memoir that will ring true to women of multiple generations. While Gallagher's pop-culture references are of a specific era, to put it bluntly, we've been dealing with this for a long time.
MYSELF isn't just a book about weight--rather, it's about the damaging, awful things we've all just accepted as normal. Being afraid of creepy customers while on the job? Feeling constantly under a microscope wielded by your classmates--and internalizing their negative talk even when they're no longer around? Accepting behavior by boys that you'd never accept from your fellow girls? And so much more.
Relatable.
MYSELF isn't just a book about weight--rather, it's about the damaging, awful things we've all just accepted as normal. Being afraid of creepy customers while on the job? Feeling constantly under a microscope wielded by your classmates--and internalizing their negative talk even when they're no longer around? Accepting behavior by boys that you'd never accept from your fellow girls? And so much more.
Relatable.
September 20, 2024
A candid, vulnerable, relatable, and healing glimpse into what it was like for Siobhan Gallagher to grow up as a mid-size AFAB person.
February 20, 2025
Siobhán Gallagher's graphic memoir offers insight to real examples of misogyny and other experiences that women go through in life. I think this is a good book to read for anyone who would like to understand what women have to regularly go through, and also to help people understand disorders like anxiety, depression, and bulimia.
April 22, 2025
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 17, 2024
10/10 more books / GN like this!!!!!!!
April 14, 2024
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review .
This was my first experience reading a graphic memoir and I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself heavily relating to a lot of the experiences Siobhan went through because they mirrored my own experiences growing up, as well as many of the other issues that me and my fellow millennials can definitely relate to. At times I felt like some of the pages were extracted from my own childhood/teen diaries and because of this it made the book extremely relatable and just goes to show how no one is really immune to the pressures of society and growing up/finding yourself including body dysmorphia, sexism, mental health issues, etc. I found the graphic format enjoyable to read and I'm not sure it would have resonated the same way without the pictures. This book definitely makes me interested in trying other books in this format.
This was my first experience reading a graphic memoir and I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself heavily relating to a lot of the experiences Siobhan went through because they mirrored my own experiences growing up, as well as many of the other issues that me and my fellow millennials can definitely relate to. At times I felt like some of the pages were extracted from my own childhood/teen diaries and because of this it made the book extremely relatable and just goes to show how no one is really immune to the pressures of society and growing up/finding yourself including body dysmorphia, sexism, mental health issues, etc. I found the graphic format enjoyable to read and I'm not sure it would have resonated the same way without the pictures. This book definitely makes me interested in trying other books in this format.
March 6, 2024
It’s a soft yes from me.
Highlights:
💕When she gets creeped on by her supervisor and redirects the conversation by saying “Oh! Ha ha� this soup is so good� p.288. Relatable.
💕Therapist: “oh you were raised catholic that explains a lot.�
Thought bubble: That’s oddly comforting to hear p. 298. This made me cackle.
💕The shout out to Maintenance Phase Podcast and by p. 299.
💕Overall Canadiana is always SO exciting to see.
50/50: Illustration style is a touch simplistic and I think the pages that broke away from strict boxes were more visually interesting and advanced the plot by showing rather than telling which occurred in the traditional comic panes.
👩❤️👩At multiple points in the story I was waiting for her to come out. She does not come out *yet* there’s always time.
Dislikes:
👎There’s mention that the head writer on her favourite show didn't allow women in the writers room due to his ongoing divorce, but it she doesn’t specify which show. I think it’s the Simpsons after some googling, but it took me out of the book to when it could have very easily just been specified p. 39.
🚫TW at the end of the day there’s *so* much focus on body image issues. The author is “midsize.� There’s an attempt to acknowledge privileged, but it still kinda gave me the ick that this felt like it was trying to tell the story of a “fat girl� when it seems more like it’s someone who’s not fat, never has been, but was also a victim of messaging of the 90s and 2000s, which important, but different. (I wouldn’t recommend giving this to a child/ teen struggling with disorder eating.)
🚩This is autobiographical, so I know we are being true to life here, but I never need to read another story where a woman moves to be with a man. Give me more he’s just a boy hit him with your car please.
ARC provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley for $Free.99
Highlights:
💕When she gets creeped on by her supervisor and redirects the conversation by saying “Oh! Ha ha� this soup is so good� p.288. Relatable.
💕Therapist: “oh you were raised catholic that explains a lot.�
Thought bubble: That’s oddly comforting to hear p. 298. This made me cackle.
💕The shout out to Maintenance Phase Podcast and by p. 299.
💕Overall Canadiana is always SO exciting to see.
50/50: Illustration style is a touch simplistic and I think the pages that broke away from strict boxes were more visually interesting and advanced the plot by showing rather than telling which occurred in the traditional comic panes.
👩❤️👩At multiple points in the story I was waiting for her to come out. She does not come out *yet* there’s always time.
Dislikes:
👎There’s mention that the head writer on her favourite show didn't allow women in the writers room due to his ongoing divorce, but it she doesn’t specify which show. I think it’s the Simpsons after some googling, but it took me out of the book to when it could have very easily just been specified p. 39.
🚫TW at the end of the day there’s *so* much focus on body image issues. The author is “midsize.� There’s an attempt to acknowledge privileged, but it still kinda gave me the ick that this felt like it was trying to tell the story of a “fat girl� when it seems more like it’s someone who’s not fat, never has been, but was also a victim of messaging of the 90s and 2000s, which important, but different. (I wouldn’t recommend giving this to a child/ teen struggling with disorder eating.)
🚩This is autobiographical, so I know we are being true to life here, but I never need to read another story where a woman moves to be with a man. Give me more he’s just a boy hit him with your car please.
ARC provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing via NetGalley for $Free.99
January 29, 2024
Miigweetch NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
"Full of Myself" is a poignant and witty graphic memoir that resonates with authenticity and self-discovery. Siobhán Gallagher's journey from battling anxiety and societal pressures to embracing her true self is beautifully portrayed through striking illustrations and humor-infused storytelling. The blend of relatable teenage struggles and the mature reflections of an adult creates a narrative that is both heartwarming and empowering. Gallagher's ability to navigate the complexities of self-acceptance with honesty and humor makes "Full of Myself" not just a memoir but a comforting companion for anyone on their journey to embracing imperfections and finding self-love.
I recommend this book to Elder Millennials and anyone in need of a reminder that the only two people we need to worry about impressing are our 8 year old selves and our 80 year old selves.
5/5 stars!
"Full of Myself" is a poignant and witty graphic memoir that resonates with authenticity and self-discovery. Siobhán Gallagher's journey from battling anxiety and societal pressures to embracing her true self is beautifully portrayed through striking illustrations and humor-infused storytelling. The blend of relatable teenage struggles and the mature reflections of an adult creates a narrative that is both heartwarming and empowering. Gallagher's ability to navigate the complexities of self-acceptance with honesty and humor makes "Full of Myself" not just a memoir but a comforting companion for anyone on their journey to embracing imperfections and finding self-love.
I recommend this book to Elder Millennials and anyone in need of a reminder that the only two people we need to worry about impressing are our 8 year old selves and our 80 year old selves.
5/5 stars!
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