30 books that you can totally judge by their covers

The Universe is Expanding and So Am I – Carolyn Mackler

Speaking of body-positive representation, Carolyn Mackler’s The Universe is Expanding and So Am I also received quite a bit of love from the book community earlier this year. In this long-awaited sequel to The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, Mackler follows Virginia Shreves through another chaotic year of life.

At 16, Virginia finally feels like she’s getting her life together. As a result of the first book, she’s accepted herself and her appearance. She’s also reconciling her relationships with her loved ones. Unfortunately, all of this goes downhill, and her life spirals out of control yet again. Her brother is arrested, her relationship loses its luster, and her best friend delivers unwelcome news.

As Virginia comes to terms with all of this, Mackler delivers another stunning story about imperfection and the ups and downs of life. And the book’s simple cover is just as stunning, with the colorful circles themselves appearing to expand, playing off the book’s title and message.