Book Review: A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like
Ever since I was little, I've been self-conscious of my body. It wasn't until last year that I found some great resources that helped me be more comfortable with my body, such as the #BeautyBeyondSize on Instagram where women of all shapes and sizes post themselves being fully confident with how they look. Mentioned in my opinionated mind article, 'Is there too much "pressure" for girls to have the perfect body?', one of my role models is Ashley Graham. She's a huge activist for body positivity and was the first plus size model on Sports Illustrated's swimsuit cover back in 2016.
A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like by Ashley Graham tells her story of how she rose to be one of the most famous models in the world and all of the struggles that women can relate to today, such as a love of food and a lack of self-esteem. All spread out in chapters that are specifically designated, it's not hard to keep up with what's going on. The reviews I read online were very mixed. Some really liked it, others were disappointed that it wasn't a self-help book. While there are tidbits here and there, it's more of a autobiography of her struggles. It's upfront, honest, and relatable.
Right away, in the introduction, we are thrown into what a hectic day walking in fashion week is like. You can feel the hectic chaos rising from the page. There are chapters on how she dealt with her own image, showing that even supermodels can have days of self-image problems. A full chapter is dedicated to rejection showing that it wasn't "Wow! You are absolutely gorgeous! Sign on the dotted line please!" Ashley is just like us, just with a really cool job. She can be hesitant to accept herself, loves food with a passion, and wants to be the best version of herself she can be. I'm not the most fashionable person in the world, but I loved her novel. The honesty is laid out flat and she doesn't hold back. There are 193 pages, (if you count the 15 pages in the introduction, then it's 208 pages), so depending on how much you like to read, this could either be really long or really short for you.
Surprisingly enough, there were really good messages that I think women of all ages should take notice of such as "Whether you are a size 6 or 16, who cares?" and "Women have to support each other more... The stereotype with women is that we are catty and vindictive. It's important to fight that notion." Ashley's words didn't waste any space in this book. If you have issues dealing with the reflection in the mirror, might I suggest reading this book. It's not a book written by someone who thinks they know; it's written by someone who DOES know how it feels and she wants you to present your confident, beautiful self to the world, stretch marks and all.
A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like by Ashley Graham tells her story of how she rose to be one of the most famous models in the world and all of the struggles that women can relate to today, such as a love of food and a lack of self-esteem. All spread out in chapters that are specifically designated, it's not hard to keep up with what's going on. The reviews I read online were very mixed. Some really liked it, others were disappointed that it wasn't a self-help book. While there are tidbits here and there, it's more of a autobiography of her struggles. It's upfront, honest, and relatable.
Right away, in the introduction, we are thrown into what a hectic day walking in fashion week is like. You can feel the hectic chaos rising from the page. There are chapters on how she dealt with her own image, showing that even supermodels can have days of self-image problems. A full chapter is dedicated to rejection showing that it wasn't "Wow! You are absolutely gorgeous! Sign on the dotted line please!" Ashley is just like us, just with a really cool job. She can be hesitant to accept herself, loves food with a passion, and wants to be the best version of herself she can be. I'm not the most fashionable person in the world, but I loved her novel. The honesty is laid out flat and she doesn't hold back. There are 193 pages, (if you count the 15 pages in the introduction, then it's 208 pages), so depending on how much you like to read, this could either be really long or really short for you.
Surprisingly enough, there were really good messages that I think women of all ages should take notice of such as "Whether you are a size 6 or 16, who cares?" and "Women have to support each other more... The stereotype with women is that we are catty and vindictive. It's important to fight that notion." Ashley's words didn't waste any space in this book. If you have issues dealing with the reflection in the mirror, might I suggest reading this book. It's not a book written by someone who thinks they know; it's written by someone who DOES know how it feels and she wants you to present your confident, beautiful self to the world, stretch marks and all.
Signed,
Midwestern Redhead
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