April 23, 2009
Dear Friend:
I’d like to let you know that the Spring issue of Ms. is just about to hit the newsstands, featuring an essay I wrote—“The Perfect Pantomime”—about how eating disorders are wordless cries for relief.
As I write: “Just think of an infant in pain or discomfort. She has no words, so how, beyond crying, can she call for help? She rejects her food. Soon enough, her parents or doctor notice she’s failing to thrive. They comfort her. They figure out what’s wrong and solve the problem. Why shouldn’t the same tack work for the embattled psyche of a suffering young woman?”
The new issue of Ms. also includes several other articles that reflect on the gains for women and children in the first 70 days of the Obama administration, from reversing egregious Bush reproductive health politics to signing anti-discrimination legislation to recognizing women’s employment needs in the stimulus package. One of the stories of particular interest shows how Hillary Clinton is already transforming the State Department into a place where women’s rights are of prime concern rather than just an afterthought. Ms. wil further expand its post-election coverage to Obama’s first 100 days on the www.msmagazine.com website.
The Ms. cover story is the first-ever Ms. “Guide to Women’s Studies,” which overviews the burgeoning academic field—over 90,000 students!—and offers data on nearly 200 undergraduate and nearly 50 graduate programs (with more undergrad data online).
Finally, if you or your child is a fan of the Twilight series of books and films, there’s an article called “Taking a Bite out of Twilight” that gives a feminist critique of its views of young women’s sexuality.
Ms. helps us to be righteously angry (instead of depressed) about what’s going on in the world, and encourages us to use that energy to move forward. Look for it on newsstands or, even better, join the Ms. community at https://store.msmagazine.com/ and have the new issue sent right to your door.
Aimee
Below, find links to a few of Aimee's articles and postings in newsletters and blogs. For more, check her blogs at
www.eatingdisordersblogs.com
and
www.huffingtonpost.com
GAINING on the NYT Bestseller List!
Dear Friends,
I am so pleased to let you know that GAINING: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders -- made the NYT Bestseller list -- #28 for the week ending March 3!
This means that the publisher will invest in further publicity, that I will be able to reach out to many more people...and get the word out that there IS life after eating disorders, and that it is much richer and more interesting and complex than any of us anticipated!
There are so many misconceptions and myths that need to be debunked before we can free ourselves and our culture from the notions that we have to suffer to be "perfect" and that women can and must be judged by the look of their bodies! I'm trying to do my part with GAINING, and it helps so much to have your support.
I send you all my gratitude!
Aimee
www.AimeeLiu.net
Advance praise for GAINING
“This book is the most sensitive, insightful, and beautifully crafted connection I have seen of personal experience with what scientists know about eating disorders. It is rich in emotion, understanding of human interaction, and lessons on culture, weight, and eating.”
Kelly D. Brownell, Ph.D.
Yale University
Professor and Chair of Psychology
Director, Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders
“At last, a book that focuses on the issue of recovery from eating disorders. Aimee Liu has clearly explained the science of eating disorder diagnosis and treatment while chronicling the experiences of those who have moved to recovery. This book makes it clear that there is hope and direction for achieving long term health. My practice has been profoundly enhanced by this work.”
Mark Warren, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Cleveland Center for Eating Disorders
“A beautiful, rich, informative, and necessary book. I trust that many women will find that it offers them the realities and nuances people crave in real stories. And real stories are at the heart of what people find healing."
Sheila Reindl, Ph.D.
Psychologist at Harvard University’s Bureau of Study Counsel
Author, SENSING THE SELF: Women’s Recovery from Bulimia
