Reviews - Unashamed: Musings of a Fat, Black Muslim

78 reviews for:

Unashamed: Musings of a Fat, Black Muslim

This book was a great read! It's so important to hear (read) the voices of those people who have been silenced because of their "otherness." Leah is a wonderful storyteller and you'll find yourself laughing, crying, and gasping as she recounts the many ups and downs on her road to becoming the unashamed woman that she is today. As a fat, Black Christian I identified with many of her struggles and I believe that there's at least one story in here that everyone can relate to, no matter who you are or where you're from. I hope you'll write volume two in a few years, Leah!

crayolabird's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars rounded up

Leah does not mess around. I know this about her because I've followed her on Instagram for a while now, appreciating her fashion sense and feminist Muslim vibe. She also, though, is vulnerable and honest. She owns her choices and her feelings and dares anyone to try and make her feel like she needs to take up less space. Don't you dare. Because of all that I feel like I've learned about her online, I decided to buy her book.

She doesn't pretend she's for everyone - and her book isn't either. It has a lot of cursing and her raw way of writing could turn some readers off. Each chapter is it's own story, in a way, but the lack of a cohesive narrative didn't really bother me - I feel like this book is her way of putting her thoughts and experiences out into the world. She's showing how far she's come and, in some ways, telling me that if she can make a place and a name for herself with all the mess she's had to sort through, I can find the guts to figure out what I want out of my life too. I appreciated her views on being Muslim, on how complicated being outwardly religious in this country can be, even among men that profess to be the same religion.

I really wonder if my inner life and self-worth as a woman would've been different if there had been more people like Leah to listen to in my life when I was growing up. I wish her the best of luck.

maddiebeaulieu's review against another edition

4.0

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

booksbyj's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars
I enjoyed reading this book, but would probably enjoy it more if I had known Leah and her work before hand. I loved learning with her and going through her life but have to admit the first half was very difficult to read for me. It was very heavy with hardly any relief. Obviously that’s how life is sometimes though so it was also nice to read becsuee sometimes stories don’t have to be uplifting especially when they’re not.

carrietmills's review against another edition

4.0

This book is refreshingly raw. Vernon writes in extensive detail about the experiences of growing up and living life as fat, Black, and Muslim. She divulges her inner anti-fat self-hate even as she finds success as a model and social media influencer. She walks the reader through the nuances and details of her divorce and how she picked herself back up in the age of internet dating. This book is comprehensive - and you're left with the unabashed determination and self-manufactured confidence that propels Vernon forward through the difficulties of life.