Getting better bit(e) by bit(e): a survival kit for sufferers of Bulimia Nervosa and Binge eating disorders: It might appear a little odd that I added a book on Bulimia to this page, which is in fact all about Anorexia... The reason I did that isn't just that according to statistics many anorexics eventually turn bulimic. My main motivation for adding this book is that it's good. Actually, I think it's great!
It's a step-by-step method for people with Bulimia, to not only face this disease and fight it, but also to figure out why they got Bulimia in the first place and how to deal with those underlying issues. It has a lot of examples and it's straightforward, not to mention very thorough -it covers just about every single aspect of Bulimia.
All in all this book has only one flaw: because it is written for people with Bulimia, it doesn't focus on the problems and issues concerned specifically with Anorexia. Still, I think it can be very inspirational for us (recovering!) anorexics as well. After all, Bulimia is a related eating disorder... The way to read this would be to select specific parts of it that are of importance to you, and skip the parts that are just about Bulimia (unless of course, you are part of the above mentioned statistic and are struggling with Bulimia as well).

Thicker than water : This book is about Isabel, a woman who looks back at her youth, the relationships with her parents and also her Anorexia. It is not so much about the Anorexia itself, as it is about the causes. This is why the Anorexia itself, and how Isabel deals with it, isn't very present in this book. There is a clear message, however: you CAN overcome the past...
I think this book isn't terrific, but it isn't bad either, it just depends on what you are looking for.

An experiment in love : Three girls going to school in London, not exactly friends, but still... As time goes by, Carmel, the main character, gradually develops Anorexia. At first she just doesn't eat because she doesn't have much money, but eventually it goes much further than that.
The focus in this book is mainly on the relationships between Carmel, Karina and Julianna. Quite interesting, actually. It's nice to see how Anorexia can develop in a different way than just from feeling too fat, or even from for example being sexually abused in your youth.

Never good enough : This is a book about perfectionism, a common characteristic for anorexics. It is a workbook with opportunities for self-assessment, exercises for gaining control over your perfectionism, and a lot of information and examples. For me, it was a relief to see that I was not the only one that feels this way... I recognized so much! This is a very helpful book for those of us whose perfectionism is strengthening our anorexic behavior. It makes you understand why you feel the way you do, and helps you to turn that perfectionism into something positive. Even if you don't think you are a perfectionist, you might want to check it out, because there are so many ways in which perfectionism can be expressed.
A very good book, well worth the money, because it helps you to get to know yourself a little better.

The passion of Alice: This book is written in the first person. It's the story of Alice, who has been admitted to a clinic for women with eating disorders after a heart attack caused by her anorexia. In the course of the book she tells you about the others in the clinic, how things advance in her therapy, and a little bit about her past, her mom, and a special friend of hers.
This book is more about the past and present events in Alice's life than it is about her feelings. Still, it's interesting to see how she gets to know herself better, and finds a will to survive and to live life to the fullest.

Life-size: Another book in the first person, this one in the present tense. Josie has been admitted to a hospital because of her anorexia: she's just totally unable to eat. As she describes her feelings, thoughts, emotions, ideas... you almost become her. This is a very confronting book, it scared me a little because not only does it show the thoughts and feelings of an anorexic in great detail, it was so recognizable that it was hard for me to realize I no longer think that way. Like I said, you become her, in a way, especially because it's so familiar.
This book very clearly shows what it's like to be an anorexic, every facet is highlighted as Josie lets you into her mind. It's THE book to give to someone who doesn't understand. Just let them read this, and they will understand you a lot better. Be careful, though. It's all so straightforward, that it might have an unexpected effect on you. Try looking at this story as a description of you, the way you were, or the way you are but don't have to be. Try to find the thinking errors. And enjoy the feeling that you aren't and weren't crazy, this is how it feels, and you are not alone.

Eating in the light of the moon: The author uses stories and fairy-tales to tell you about the causes of Anorexia and other eating disorders. I don't particularly care for the stories, but in the course of reading the book, there are quite a few useful insights into the why of Anorexia. There are a couple of useful tips as well.
I would say this is not a must-read, but definitely interesting and at times even enlightening. You might enjoy it.

Making peace with food: This book is a step-by-step guide to letting go of the obsession with food, weight and body image. It's not specifically about eating disorders, but it is meant for anybody who is chronically on a diet. It has exercises that deal with different kinds of food-related subjects, and makes you concious of your thoughts and attitudes.
I am very enthousiastic about this book, because it's systematic, straight forward and to the point. I love the exercises and it really changed my way of thinking!

Early Disorder: Willa is a 15 year old girl from an very normal family. Everything has always gone well in her life... yet somehow she falls into the clutches of anorexia. What starts out as a diet quickly gets out of hand and she is in a lot of trouble.
Even though the book starts out rather slow, it gives you an idea of what Willa's world is like, before showing what the anorexia does to her. It gives a unique insight into the mind of an anorexic.

Stick Figure: Lori is only eleven when she decides to go on a diet. She doesn't understand how her parents are treating her and why she cannot be herself. When she says what she thinks, they laugh at her and make fun of her. Because she's growing up, all of a sudden there are new rules that she has to abide by, which don't seem logical to her at all. Her parents want her to eat well, but her mom doesn't. To Lori it seems strange how important dieting is to everybody, including her mom, and figures it must be a wonderful solution to everything. However, her diet quickly becomes lifethreatening. Still, Lori doesn't want to stop, she wants to be 'thin'... whatever it takes.
Brutally honest and very much to the point, this book shows the world of thought of an anorexic. It is very easy to read and not overly dramatic: I really liked it!

Solitaire : When Aimee decides to diet, she doesn't just want to lose a little weight, she wants to be thin. To her, being thin becomes a contest, a battle with herself that she simply has to win. For years and years she refuses to eat well, and her weight remains dangerously low, without getting to the point where she needs to be admitted to the hospital. All through her time at high school, she is dieting, thinking of nothing but food and definitely missing out. Will she get out of this vicious circle?

Running in Heels : Natalie is completely in control of her life and very satisfied with how things are going... but then her best friend Babs gets married. She feels alone and things start to go downhill from there. She starts a relationship with Mr. Wrong, loses her job and starts a diet which then gets out of hand. Running in Heels is a powerful story about a normal woman, whose life is slowly being taken over by an eating disorder, and about her struggle to take back control.