The Curvy Girls Club
Michele Gorman, 2014
Notting Hill Press (UK)
Avon-HarperCollins (US)
384 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781499179330
Summary
Where Confidence is the New Black
Fed up with always struggling to lose weight, best friends Katie, Ellie, Pixie and Jane start a social club where size doesn’t matter. It soon grows into London’s most popular club—a place to have fun instead of counting carbs—and the women find their lives changing in ways they never imagined.
But outside the club, life isn’t as rosy. (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
• Birth—It's not polite to ask a lady that! :-)
• Where—Pittsfield, Massachuesetts, USA
• Education—B.S. University of Massachusetts-Amherst; M.A. University
of Illinois-Chicago
• Currently—London, England, UK
Michele Gorman is the #1 best-selling author of Bella Summer Takes a Chance and The Expat Diaries (Single in the City) series. She also writes upmarket commercial fiction under the pen name Jamie Scott. Born and raised in the US, Michele has lived in London for 16 years.
If it weren't for Twitter and Facebook, Michele would be a much more prolific writer, but wouldn't have nearly as much fun, so do chat to her online. (From the author.)
Visit the author's website...and her blog.
Follow Michele on Facebook.
Book Reviews
This is a delightful book of friendship, acceptance, and belonging for anyone who has ever wondered: "What if?"
Publishers Weekly
Michele's writing is so engaging and witty, yet insightful and empathetic.
Sophie Kinsella, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
A fun, sassy writer who always makes me smile (a Times Top 10 Bestseller).
Carole Matthews - Sunday Times (UK)
An undeniable sense of fun on every page.
Nick Spalding, author of Love... From Both Sides
Gorman's writing is warm, witty, and wonderful.
Matt Dunn, author of A Day At The Office
Michele Gorman is one of my favorite chick lit writers.
Chick Lit Plus
Discussion Questions
1. The message of the book is about being happy in your own skin – no matter what that skin may look like. It’s something that Katie talks about near the beginning of the book, yet when the TV presenter makes fun of a skinny intern, Katie laughs. Is teasing a woman for being too thin the same as teasing a woman for being too fat? Do you feel more empathy for one group than the other?
2. Which character did you most identify with? Why?
3. Once you understand Pixie’s motives, is she justified in her actions involving the club and Katie? Do her arguments stand up from a business point of view (as opposed to an emotional one)?
4. Thinking about Jane’s obsession with weight loss, how far is too far when it comes to losing weight? Where do you draw the line?
5. Who do you think was the stronger character, Katie or Pixie?
6. Ellie snoops on her boyfriend’s phone and finds something she doesn’t like. Have you ever snooped where you shouldn’t have? Do the ends justify the means?
7. Katie experiences prejudice from her employers. Are there any situations in which an employer is justified in wanting a person to look a certain way (let’s exclude modelling)?
8. Katie, Pixie, Jane and Ellie all struggle with self-esteem in different ways. What’s the biggest thing that gives a woman her self-esteem? How can someone improve her own self-esteem?
9. What were your first impressions of the main characters? Did those change by the end of the book?
10. Would you go on How to Look Good Naked?
(Questions provided courtesy of the author.)
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