A Filtered Life

Social Media on a College Campus

An insightful exploration of how young adults create, curate, and navigate identity in an increasingly digital world. Through ethnographic research and personal narratives, this book reveals the hidden pressures and contradictions of living life online.

A Filtered Life

Social Media on a College Campus

An insightful exploration of how young adults create, curate, and navigate identity in an increasingly digital world. Through ethnographic research and personal narratives, this book reveals the hidden pressures and contradictions of living life online.

Award-Winning Memoir That Resonates

From literary awards to industry recognition, my work has been celebrated for its powerful storytelling, thoughtful insights, and exploration of the human experience.

Honors & Recognition

Literary Awards Finalist

Recognized by the Tucson Festival of Books for exceptional storytelling and literary
achievement in Non-Fiction.

Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner

Honored among the year’s standout
independent books for its compelling
narrative in Memoir/ Overcoming Adversity.

 

Gold Book Award Recipient

Awarded for excellence in writing, storytelling, and meaningful contribution to contemporary literature.

International Book Awards Finalist

Recognized as a finalist in the prestigious 2026 International Book Awards, celebrating outstanding literary achievement in the categories of memoir and creative non-fiction.

Literary Awards Finalist

Recognized by the Tucson Festival of Books for exceptional storytelling and literary achievement.

Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner

Honored among the year’s standout
independent books for its compelling
narrative in Memoir/ Overcoming Adversity.

 

Gold Book Award Recipient

Awarded for excellence in writing, storytelling, and meaningful contribution to contemporary literature.

International Book Awards Finalist

Recognized as a finalist in the prestigious 2026 International Book Awards, celebrating outstanding literary achievement and excellence in contemporary publishing.

About the Book

Understanding Identity in the Digital Age

Social media has transformed the way we connect, communicate, and present ourselves to the world. But what happens behind the perfectly curated posts and carefully filtered images?

A Filtered Life offers the first comprehensive ethnographic look at how college students manage multiple identities across social media platforms. Drawing on interviews and digital research, the book explores the tensions between authenticity and self-presentation, connection and comparison, and the pressures of maintaining an online presence.

Book Overview

What You'll Discover

An insightful look at how social media shapes identity, relationships, and the ways young adults navigate an increasingly connected world.

  • How young adults create different identities across social platforms.
  • The emotional and social pressures of maintaining an online image.
  • The relationship between authenticity and self-branding.
  • The evolving role of digital life in shaping human connection.

Beyond the Screen

Why This Book Matters

Social media is more than technology—it’s a space where identities are built, relationships are maintained, and personal stories are continuously rewritten.

Through compelling research and vivid accounts of student experiences, A Filtered Life invites readers to reconsider how digital platforms influence the way we see ourselves and one another.

Reader & Expert Praise

Praise for the Book

This in-depth ethnographic analysis reveals how young adults craft selfhood and community through social media, with lessons for understanding an era in which digital technologies are part of everyday life from the onset.
-Tom Boellstorff, author of Ethnography and Virtual Worlds
A Filtered Life shows how complicated it can be to navigate the demands of authenticity in a competitive world where everyone is editing themselves to digital perfection.
-Ilana Gershon, author of The Breakup, 2.0
This lively study provides stories of young people who find themselves drawn into social media…it will interest all those who wonder about the impact of this enormously significant but little-understood aspect of contemporary life.
-Peter Stromberg, author of Caught in Play

In the Media

Press & Media Coverage

Fat Talk has sparked conversations across leading publications, inspiring discussions about body image, dieting, self-esteem, and the cultural messages that shape how girls and women see themselves.

Fat Talk Revisited

A fresh perspective on the lasting impact of Fat Talk and its relevance today.

Harvard University Press Blog

What ‘Fat Talk’ Does For Your Body Image

Exploring healthier conversations around confidence, appearance, and self-worth.

YouBeauty

Fat Talk: Then & Now

A reflection on how conversations about body image have evolved over time.

Lilith

Let’s Talk… Fat!

Examining the cultural impact of body image discussions and why they matter.

Willingness

Fat Talk: Ditch This Bad Habit

Practical insights into overcoming harmful patterns of self-criticism and dieting.

YouBeauty

Body Shape Weighs Heavily on Women

A global perspective on beauty standards, body image, and societal expectations.

China Daily

Available Now

Ready to Read?

Discover A Filtered Life and uncover how social media shapes identity, relationships, and authenticity in today’s digital world.

Stories Shared

Start a Conversation

Whether you’re interested in my books, media appearances, speaking engagements, or have a question to share, I’d love to hear from you.