4.09

5

May 9, 2017

Breath of Fresh Air

I pre-ordered this book back in February and received it today. I read it in it's entirety in one sitting. There is nothing more refreshing than reading about someone's journey when it is so genuine. Raw, including the successes but not leaving out the non-glamourous parts along the way. There is nothing sexier than a confident woman regardless of the vessel you've got to work with. Women empowering other women to be there very best no matter what.

4

Jun 02, 2017

I received A New Model as a gift, and at first I was reluctant to read it. For me, looking at Ashley Graham i saw what until recently was the norm in the fashion industry- a girl who is a size 10 who models as plus size (sizes 12 and up). What does she know about struggles women like me face? I regret being so judgmental, I pride myself in knowing that one size 16 can look very different from another and yet here I was assuming Ashley wasn't even in the 12-18 size range (which are actually I received A New Model as a gift, and at first I was reluctant to read it. For me, looking at Ashley Graham i saw what until recently was the norm in the fashion industry- a girl who is a size 10 who models as plus size (sizes 12 and up). What does she know about struggles women like me face? I regret being so judgmental, I pride myself in knowing that one size 16 can look very different from another and yet here I was assuming Ashley wasn't even in the 12-18 size range (which are actually exactly the sizes her body fluctuates in between).

I was completely wrong, and at times she faces more struggles than me- after all she's in the public eye and with that comes the trolls and fashion industry snobs. At one point she shares a few hurtful comments from people who had an issue with her being on the cover of Sports Illustrated, I was shocked by what I read. To me, Ashley's body is beautiful, yet here were men and women saying horrible things about her being too fat and undeserving to be on the cover or even the pages of SI.

At the beginning of A New Model Ashley talks a lot about what it took to find herself, making a name for herself in the industry, and really figuring things out for life in general; those chapters had a good pace but I couldn't help but feel like I would have gotten more from them if I was high school or "just out of high school" age. Once I got to the chapters about her relationship with food, her struggles finding fashionable clothing in plus size departments and stores, and empowering women- I was sold. I related so much to these latter chapters.

Something I loved throughout the book is Graham's positivity toward her own body and the "Beauty Beyond Size" movement. It's clear she gets her confidence and positive attitude from her mother, who also seems like an amazing woman. Her determination to make others love their bodies no matter what size is admirable, especially since she could have a fairly lucrative career just modeling commercially, without speaking out and fighting for plus to finally be considered equal. 4.5/5 ...more

5

May 15, 2017

Love, love, love this book!

As someone who has struggled with body confidence my entire life, Ashely Graham has some amazing words advice for me and girls like me everywhere. This is going to be a book I pull off the shelf over and over again to remind myself to feel confident inside and out.

Below are just some of my favorite lines I highlighted:
"If there is something about you that you like, show it off - that's my motto. If you think you look good, others will, too."
"No matter what your Love, love, love this book!

As someone who has struggled with body confidence my entire life, Ashely Graham has some amazing words advice for me and girls like me everywhere. This is going to be a book I pull off the shelf over and over again to remind myself to feel confident inside and out.

Below are just some of my favorite lines I highlighted:
"If there is something about you that you like, show it off - that's my motto. If you think you look good, others will, too."
"No matter what your size, you are a sexy goddess. Remember that."
"Finding power in your vagina is about realizing that you will never find acceptance and validation through a man."
#beautybeyondsize ...more

2

May 21, 2017

I love Ashely and her message, but this book wasn't incredibly well written.

1

May 17, 2017

Not for me.

Returned. My husband heard her in an interview and I assume he thought I would like the book since I struggle with my own self image. I couldn't get through it and if I read that she has a flat stomach one more time I would probably throw my kindle.

2

May 12, 2017

2/5

Strange book- a bit like a diary or having someone tell you the highlights of their life to date for no apparent reason.

5

May 20, 2017

I'm so in love with her story

I got my book yesterday and cannot put it down! I'm so in love with her story.

3

Aug 10, 2017

I highly recommend this book for anyone that has ever had issues with body confidence! I know I am guilty of that and I know a lot of women out there can speak for me! Ashley Graham is a pioneer when it comes to accepting our bodies and making ourselves better women inside and out! She questions the pressure that women have of trying to conform to the pressures of being size 2 and speaks about plus size women not having enough access to high end fashion.

We need to forget about what is I highly recommend this book for anyone that has ever had issues with body confidence! I know I am guilty of that and I know a lot of women out there can speak for me! Ashley Graham is a pioneer when it comes to accepting our bodies and making ourselves better women inside and out! She questions the pressure that women have of trying to conform to the pressures of being size 2 and speaks about plus size women not having enough access to high end fashion.

We need to forget about what is represented in those fashion magazines because that is not the norm and most of those images are airbrushed anyway. We must look deeper and see the "beauty beyond size!" ...more

5

June 2, 2017

Great book by a wonderful role model. Ashley didn't leave a typical charmed model life growing up, and she doesn't look like your typical stick-thin magazine cover model. But she is every bit as beautiful inside and out, and she has more confidence than most people I know. This book is not only a gr...Full Review

5

May 29, 2017

Great book! As a fellow curvy girl..Ashley is my role model

4

Feb 01, 2018

I find it very sad to live in a world where "fat people" shouldn't be entitled to love themselves, and if you're not skinny you're not meant to love the body you have.

I just love Ashley's views on the subject. She's so fearlessly herself, that she inspires others to love themselves unconditionally. She inspired me at least.

I think she's extremely brave and bold, and I admire her for working so hard and achieve success in an industry that has always been super negative towards bigger body I find it very sad to live in a world where "fat people" shouldn't be entitled to love themselves, and if you're not skinny you're not meant to love the body you have.

I just love Ashley's views on the subject. She's so fearlessly herself, that she inspires others to love themselves unconditionally. She inspired me at least.

I think she's extremely brave and bold, and I admire her for working so hard and achieve success in an industry that has always been super negative towards bigger body types, without compromising her true self.

You go girl! ...more

5

June 18, 2017

You will not be disappointed

Inspiring and transparent. Great read!!! I heard her interview on NPR then Goodmorning America and realized that i had to get this book. I would have finished it in one sitting if i didnr have other stuff to do. Her story is genuine and above all brutally honest. As someone who grew up with womanly feature at a young age, Its refreshing to see a world famous plus model have similarities in dealing with her body.

2

Jul 30, 2017

The other reviews for this book seem to be very positive, and I don't know what it is, but it just didn't do it for me.

While some people are saying they found the book to be more self-help than biography, I found it to be very much the other way around. I guess now I know more about her life and the modeling industry than I did before, but I was hoping for more of the beauty/confidence/power front. The book was structured into chapters with subheadings that implied they would be full of advice The other reviews for this book seem to be very positive, and I don't know what it is, but it just didn't do it for me.

While some people are saying they found the book to be more self-help than biography, I found it to be very much the other way around. I guess now I know more about her life and the modeling industry than I did before, but I was hoping for more of the beauty/confidence/power front. The book was structured into chapters with subheadings that implied they would be full of advice about things (like "Don't fall into the trap of sacrificing your self-esteem for affection and acceptance. No matter what your size, you are a sexy goddess. Remember that." and "Every day is a new day and a new struggle. But with a little reflection, you can develop the tools to put that Snickers down or not care so much when you don't want to"). But after a chapter mostly filled with biographical content, I found myself more than once going back to the heading of the chapter to remind myself what the message was supposed to be.

I'm all for body positivity, but I found the messaging in this book to be very flat. Ashley did briefly mention a few times that plus-size models are usually just as proportionate and conventionally beautiful as straight-size models, but I was hoping for more of this type of nuanced discussion in all parts of the book. I find messaging like "No matter your size, you are a sexy goddess. Remember that" to be empty and not meaningful. Every woman is beautiful, but she won't feel that way simply by having someone/everyone say it to her instead of having it inspired within her. Similarly, Graham mentioned how her female family/friends/colleagues aren't allowed to have negative self-talk when they're around her. It doesn't do anyone any good to dwell on negative feelings, but I would find a friend who cuts me off and throws bland positivity back at me to be pretty dismissive and would more appreciate someone listening to how I feel. I guess what I'm trying to say is that body positivity and self-acceptance comes from the freedom of feeling like you need to look a certain way, and appreciating your body because of its quirks and differences instead of being told in a blanket statement that everyone is beautiful. It's only once women of all sizes are represented in the fashion world and designers aren't congratulated anymore for including plus-sized models that bigger women will feel like they are honestly allowed the same space to feel beauty and own their beauty as smaller women. Graham does mention that to do this, we need to ask for the sizes and styles that we want, but this was only a small section of the book.

All this being said, it's not a bad book. I feel like it was written more for the teen girl demographic and I would happily recommend this book to someone in that age group, who is just beginning to learn where her body fits in the world and the politics surrounding the female shape. However, for someone who is familiar with this type of discourse, I don't feel like it added much to the discussion aside from maybe some behind-the-scenes knowledge of the plus-size modelling industry. ...more

1

September 25, 2017

Pass on this one...

I finished this book, but would not recommend it. It’s target audience is junior high and high school girls. It gives an insight to high profile modeling, Ashley’s personal life, and encourages girls to have self-confidence. I didn’t need to know Ashley’s bra size and there is a whole chapter on her love life called, My Vagina. Really?! How low can you go? She disses her father in the book too. Dear celebrity ghost writer, you can do better! Some things are better off unsaid. This is NOT a good choice for a gift book, if you have a young daughter or granddaughter. There are so many other positive and wholesome choices.

4

May 06, 2017

I knew of Ashley Graham, but didn't know much of her story before I picked up this book. I was pleasantly surprised that more of it was focused on positive body image and self-esteem instead of the ins and out of the modeling industry. Even though, she is a famous model, her journey is one that a lot of women can relate to.

5

Jun 22, 2017

I listened to the audiobook edition and I was really disappointed that Ashley Graham doesn't narrate the book... she only narrates the intro and outro. Personally, I think autobiography audiobooks are the best when the author reads it. I find it more personal and genuine hearing the author naturally hit the punchlines, sad and happy moments and correctly pronounce names. Every single time the narrator pronounced "Addition Elle" I cringed.

Other than being disappointed with the narrator I enjoyed I listened to the audiobook edition and I was really disappointed that Ashley Graham doesn't narrate the book... she only narrates the intro and outro. Personally, I think autobiography audiobooks are the best when the author reads it. I find it more personal and genuine hearing the author naturally hit the punchlines, sad and happy moments and correctly pronounce names. Every single time the narrator pronounced "Addition Elle" I cringed.

Other than being disappointed with the narrator I enjoyed the book. I'm not a huge Ashley Graham fan, I haven't seen much of what she's done other than her being a judge on American's Next Top Model but I loved her critiques and motivations on the show.



This book looked into how she made it into the industry, included great tips and advice and I think a genuine presentation of her career and personal journey.

...more

1

June 16, 2017

Bad, real bad

I adore Ashley, but this book is terrible. I couldn't finish it. It's disorganized and boring. I wanted to love it because I'd love to support Ashley Graham, but I can't. I'm so sorry I have to say this, but don't waste your time.

1

May 30, 2017

So boring I couldn't even make it to the end.

States the obvious and provides no new insights. Save your money.

4

July 1, 2017

I loved it!

Great details of the feelings of "curvy" women. Although I'm a size 10, 5 feet tall many days I have felt bigger then ever and just needed her confidence. I have many friends I want to share this book with. Our book club #readingbetweenthewines found a book of motivation.

2

August 22, 2017

I like Ashley Graham

I like Ashley Graham. I love her confidence and find her to be absolutely beautiful in her realness with her fans.... but this book drug on and on. It was really shallow in reading and overall dull. :( Disappointing.

4

May 16, 2018

I love Ashley Graham a lot. I preach a lot that I don't care about my size, that I'm confident in how I look. But we all have bad days. And I loved that she wasn't afraid to talk about them in this book.
I wasn't perfect for me, I found it repetitive at times, but I loved how honest she was about more than just her size. She's not afraid to talk about her religion and the role it's played in her life (I actually had no idea she was religious), and on her marriage and the ups and downs that her I love Ashley Graham a lot. I preach a lot that I don't care about my size, that I'm confident in how I look. But we all have bad days. And I loved that she wasn't afraid to talk about them in this book.
I wasn't perfect for me, I found it repetitive at times, but I loved how honest she was about more than just her size. She's not afraid to talk about her religion and the role it's played in her life (I actually had no idea she was religious), and on her marriage and the ups and downs that her and Justin have gone through.
Whether your plus-sized or not, care about models not, I think I'd still recommend this book. She shares a lot of insight about going for what you believe in, and what it's like to be fat.
4/5 stars! ...more

1

Jan 29, 2018

RATING: 1 STAR
2017; Day Street Books/HarperCollins
(Review Not on Blog)

I love the message that Ashley Graham is trying to promote in this book about self love. However, the execution is very poorly done. This book is neither a memoir or a self-help book, but yet is trying to be both so come off a bit childish. It reads like a diary of a teenage girl, or for a teenage girl. While I am glad that Graham has had so much success, she comes off a bit arrogant rather than inspiring.

***I received an eARC RATING: 1 STAR
2017; Day Street Books/HarperCollins
(Review Not on Blog)

I love the message that Ashley Graham is trying to promote in this book about self love. However, the execution is very poorly done. This book is neither a memoir or a self-help book, but yet is trying to be both so come off a bit childish. It reads like a diary of a teenage girl, or for a teenage girl. While I am glad that Graham has had so much success, she comes off a bit arrogant rather than inspiring.

***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS*** ...more

1

April 14, 2018

Definitely disappointing

I have nothing against Ashley Graham, but I don't think this book is well written or interesting. I am about 3/4 of the way through and am disappointed in it so far. It seems very shallow and it's hard for me to envision that she is one of the key players in the body positive movement. I am assuming that she is a confident public speaker but her message doesn't come across well in written form. The narrative is disorganized, she includes unnecessary details that slow everything down, and at the end of each chapter I'm not really sure what point she was trying to get across - to me, it reads like an ongoing list of her life's comings and goings: "I went and did this, then I did this, then I did this..."

I picked up this book because she's a mover and shaker in the body positive community and I'm trying to understand the perspective of the movement - this book addresses very little of that and instead goes into minute detail about her genetically flat stomach, outrageous spending and partying in her youth, and gushing about her career successes. Her life experience is very different from the demographic she models clothes for. Reading the book, I felt like a silent partner listening to her talk endlessly about herself in a one sided conversation.

5

May 09, 2017

I read this entire book on release date. It was so engaging, I don't know If it's because I've always loved her, but I think I would have fallen in love with her again if I wasn't already. I loved the look into her world. She is 'the' new model. I love it. I think you will too.

5

Jun 11, 2017

5 well deserved stars. This was such an empowering, necessary read. Ashley is not shy to admit both her successes and her failures. She discusses her rise to fame, her body dysmorphia and unhealthy relationship to food, her journey to self love, her husband, her family, everything. I couldn't help but cry while reading it. Ashley's affirmations and reassurances remind us that there is #beautybeyondsize indeed.