I'm Not the New Me

March 14, 2005
When McClure, a 33-year-old children's book editor from Chicago, creates a Web site to chronicle losing weight, she contemplates possible names for it. She rejects My Weight Loss Journey, Soon To Be Slender, My Body Journal and Funky Flesh, which she decides "has bad B.O. connotations," before choosing Pound (its Web address is www.poundy.com because www.pound.com wasn't available). In this funny, likable memoir, McClure offers sardonic commentary on both projects—her struggle to shed pounds and the creation and growth of Pound—from confessing how much she wants a special Weight Watchers magnet (the token the program gives to members when they lose their first 25 pounds) to describing a shopping trip to Lane Bryant. "For some reason, plus size designers love the mutant conjoined twinset," she writes. "I think they're under the impression that fat women get so out of breath putting their arms through sleeves that they're doing us a favor." McClure's narrative also includes selections of e-mails from appreciative, devoted Pound readers, accounts of online dating woes and some recollections of her childhood. The narrative drags in spots, but, just as Pound fans found McClure's words inspiring, those who read this work are likely to applaud its author for writing such an encouraging, spirited book. Agent, Erin Hosier at the Gernert Company.

April 1, 2005
McClure's memoir sprung from her two web sites, www.poundy.com and www. candyboots.com. The first is a web log chronicling her weight loss and life in general; the second is a collection of revolting Weight Watchers recipe cards circa 1974 with hilarious commentary. Written diary style, the book is about gaining and losing weight and what it all means, mostly in the world of online identities. McClure recounts a JournalCon convention, fan emails, and online love all through the lens of her weight-loss journey. What makes it a winner is the author's fantastic sense of humor. Everything from her mother's serious weight issues to frighteningly bad online dating scenarios to drunken karaoke is portrayed with sarcastic hilarity that is, at the same time, very moving. Unlike other weight-loss books that can get food obsessive and overwhelming, this one takes "dieting" in stride. Inspiring, heartwarming, and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time, this debut offers a distinctive look into the growing blogosphere through a voice that shines. -Dale Raben, "School Library Journal"

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.