T-Shirt Swim Club: Stories from Being Fat in a World of Thin People (Unabridged)
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5.0 • 6 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Comedian Ian Karmel, with help from his sister, Dr. Alisa Karmel, opens up about the daily humiliations of being fat and why it’s so hard to talk about something so visible.
“As charming and funny as it is poignant and thoughtful.”—Roxane Gay, author of Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body
Ian Karmel has weighed eight pounds and he has weighed 420 pounds and right now he’s almost exactly in between the two, but this book is not a weight-loss book. It’s about being a fat person in a skinny world. It’s about gym class and football practice, about chicken wings and juice cleanses, about airplane seats and roller coasters, about fat jokes and Jabba the Hutt, about crying in the Big and Tall section and the joys of being a sneakerhead, about prediabetes and gout, and about realizing that you actually don’t want to eat yourself to death and hoping it’s not too late.
This book also includes a “What Now?” section from Ian’s sister, Alisa, who herself cycled through so many fad diets that she eventually pursued a master’s in nutrition and a doctorate in psychology with the goal of changing the contemporary narrative around fatness.
Ian and Alisa Karmel grew up fat. As kids, they never talked about it. They were too busy fighting over the last SnackWell’s Devil’s Food cookie. Now, decades later, having both turned into fat adults who eventually figured out how to get their health under control, they are finally ready to unpack the impact that their weight has had on them.
For them, the T-Shirt Swim Club is meant to be a place of support for anyone who struggles with weight issues. A place of care and candor, free of shame. A place to not deny or avoid the emotions you feel, the experiences you go through, the embarrassment, the anger, the resentment. T-Shirt Swim Club is about being a fat person and how the world treats fat people—but also an acknowledgment that maybe it doesn’t always have to feel quite so lonely.
Customer Reviews
A Heartfelt and Hilarious Triumph
Ian Karmel’s T-Shirt Swim Club is an absolute knockout—equal parts hilarious, deeply personal, and unexpectedly profound. Known for his sharp wit and warm-hearted humor, Karmel brings his signature voice to the page in a way that feels both refreshingly honest and universally relatable.
As an early listener of All Fantasy Everything (AFE), I’ve always appreciated Ian’s ability to blend comedy with heartfelt storytelling. I even had the unforgettable experience of seeing AFE live in Columbus, Ohio, where they lost power mid-show and, in true Ian fashion, moved the entire podcast to the parking lot—turning chaos into comedy gold. That same spirit of adaptability, humor, and warmth shines through in this book.
I preordered the hardcover last year, and it was well worth the wait. Now, getting to experience T-Shirt Swim Club in audiobook format is an extra treat—hearing Ian narrate alongside his sister and coauthor, Alisa Karmel, makes the stories feel even more personal and alive. Their dynamic adds another layer of heart to an already incredible book.
This isn’t just a collection of essays—it’s a love letter to self-acceptance, a battle cry for the underdogs, and a reminder that humor is often the best way to process life’s ups and downs. Whether Ian is reflecting on body image, identity, family, or the absurdity of everyday moments, he delivers each story with a mix of vulnerability and laugh-out-loud comedy. His writing is sharp yet inviting, making you feel like you’re swapping stories with an old friend.
What makes T-Shirt Swim Club truly special is its ability to balance comedy with sincerity. It’s not just about getting laughs (though there are plenty); it’s about finding the humor in the human experience and embracing yourself along the way. Fans of Karmel’s stand-up and podcast work will love this, but even if you’re new to his voice, this book is a must-read.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves smart, heartfelt humor and storytelling that sticks with you long after you turn the last page.