aleksanderaleksander's review

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inspiring reflective slow-paced

2.0

luvandkiwi's review

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5.0

This book was just what my spirit needed. It provides inspiration, clarity, Hope, entertainment... it introduced me to phenomenal women and their work... I shall gift all the women in my life who need the reminder that they truly are more than enough. Elaine’s created a new blueprint for dreamers.

sedruola's review

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5.0

I LOVED this book. It's such an inspiring story of finding yourself and walking into your purpose. This book is perfect for every young person who feel they aren't enough. You are.

seasonspoetry's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Beautiful. Empowering and inspiring.

darlamarie's review

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5.0

Can’t say enough how great this book is. It was recommended to me and I couldn’t put it down.

sdanea88's review

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emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.5

msemreads's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

5.0

nkhensani_m's review

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4.0

I wrote more on my thoughts about this wonderful book on Instagram: https://bit.ly/35WMeG5

lolaivy's review

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2.0

I'm disappointed. I may have had too high of hopes for this book and it just didn't meet my expectations.

I've seen Elaine in interviews, read her writings. She's normally not afraid to go there. But this book felt lukewarm. She never fully let's herself discuss really hard topics - instead, she would lightly touch upon things like racism, colorism, ageism, sexism, but never take it the full mile. To me, it read more like a book for teenagers or young readers -- not adults.

The book illuminated how fame obsessed and materialistic Elaine can be. Elaine came off boujee to me. I don't mean it as an insult -- rather, that she likes nice things and wealth. And good for her. I love women who know what they want (even if it's fame or wealth) and aren't afraid to go after those things. So color me shocked when Elaine herself calls her ex (a Black Harvard grad) and HIS other Black Harvard grad friends boujee AS AN INSULT. I was very disappointed by this. Harvard is only 5% Black. We should applaud Black individuals who are able to jump up a class or more -- not turn our noses at them or judge them. It felt hypocritical to me. Was he a terrible person... Yes! But criticize him for his manipulative and misogynistic actions, not him and his friends' wealth and success.

It was a memoir but, for lack of a better word, a boring one. I think she made it too much about her and her life story. I wish it was less memoir, more of a collection of short stories of her life and her opinions about the world.

I wish she talked about her involvement with the Lower East Side Girls Collective instead of repeatedly mentioning she wrote an episode of Black-ish. I wish she talked about why so many young Black men are incarcerated at young ages and high numbers in America -- instead of spending the chapter complaining that her incarcerated ex kept her from Stanford. I wish she talked less about how her rich ex bought her x, y, and z and talked more about toxic, misogynistic relationships.

It could have been more but it wasn't, so I give it 2 stars for lack of effort :-(. I still admire Elaine despite not enjoying her book and will read anything she releases next because I do have faith she can write something impactful.

_tamara8464's review

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5.0

Omg, what an amazing book. I didn’t really know what to expect and I’m so happy that this was recommended to me because it is such an eye opener.

The book is about the life and experiences (so far) of Elaine Welteroth. She is a biracial woman who grew up in California. In the book she talks about her first love, taking risks, being heartbroken but having to get up, reaching dreams and race. She was able to get at the head of the table and tell us how it happened. The things that she had to deal with were sometimes hurtful, painful but always something she was able to get up from. She also had an interview with her parents (for the audiobook) at the end which I thought was very sweet.

Before this book, I (unfortunately) had no idea who she was. After reading this,I wish I knew of her sooner.