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Be Beautiful, Be You
When an Internet video calling her “The World’s Ugliest Woman” went viral, Lizzie Velasquez set out to discover what truly makes us beautiful. Now she shares what she learned on that faith-filled journey. In Be Beautiful, Be You, Lizzie uses anecdotes and exercises to teach readers to recognize their own unique gifts and blessings, talk to God in their own words, deal with disappointment, make and maintain healthy friendships, and set realistic goals. In a world filled with airbrushed celebrity photos and plastic surgery, Lizzie Velasquez is a refreshing force of nature whose story will inspire anyone who has ever felt singled out, misunderstood, or afraid―and who hasn’t?
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
37 people are currently reading
1045 people want to read
About the author
Lizzie Velásquez
6 books187 followersThe eldest of three children born to Rita and Guadalupe Velásquez.
Lizzie was born four weeks prematurely, her birth weight was only 2 pounds 11 ounces (1,219 grams).
Her age was reported as 23 in September 2012, a time when she was nearing graduation from Texas State University majoring in communication studies.
She is a Roman Catholic and she has spoken out in terms of her belief in God who has "blessed me with the greatest blessing of my life, which is my syndrome".
Velazquez has a condition that is so rare that only two other people are known to have it. She has zero percent body fat, and has never weighed more than 60 pounds (27 kg). Although not anorexic, she is unable to gain weight.
Her first published work was her co-authored and self-published autobiography released in 2010 in English and Spanish.
Her second book, Be Beautiful, Be You (2012), advocates informing people that appearance doesn't matter, and that one should love oneself for what one is.
Lizzie was born four weeks prematurely, her birth weight was only 2 pounds 11 ounces (1,219 grams).
Her age was reported as 23 in September 2012, a time when she was nearing graduation from Texas State University majoring in communication studies.
She is a Roman Catholic and she has spoken out in terms of her belief in God who has "blessed me with the greatest blessing of my life, which is my syndrome".
Velazquez has a condition that is so rare that only two other people are known to have it. She has zero percent body fat, and has never weighed more than 60 pounds (27 kg). Although not anorexic, she is unable to gain weight.
Her first published work was her co-authored and self-published autobiography released in 2010 in English and Spanish.
Her second book, Be Beautiful, Be You (2012), advocates informing people that appearance doesn't matter, and that one should love oneself for what one is.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 20, 2013
Currently reading this book then I will give it to my tween. Lizzie is truly an amazing person and this is a wonderful book for tween and teens. I love how Lizzie writes about her relationship with God and how He has helped her through difficulties in life. I also love at the end of each chapter she has Reflection Questions and a prayer. It's a great book for daughters!
December 15, 2016
Wow. Im shook beyond belief. This book takes you a whole diffrent meaning about your life. This book is about a girl named Lizzie Velasquez, she has a very rare syndrom where she is not able to gain weight. Its so rare she is 1 out of the 3 people in the whole world to have it! Just because she looks diffrent from everyone else, cant fit into the same clothes as everyone else, didnt stop her from doing what she does best. Motivational Speaking. Lizzie's life is quite the story but its so facinating to hear that i finished this 126 paged book in 3 days! Wow..i dont think ive ver done that before...i just accomplished something...2016 goals.. Anyways, I would recomend this book to anyone. Ligit anyone. Boy or Girl, doesnt matter, this book will take you on a trip no matter what. I gave it 4/5 starts only because most parts are where you answer questions by writing in the book and obviously my mom told me I cant so... But otherwise i would have givin it a 100000000+/5! Go read this book before 2017 and you will be surprised at how much you learn about yourself, by listening to another's story. Well, time to read her 3rd book!
September 27, 2012
It's a very touching and inspirational story but this book wasn't what I expected it to be. It was more of a self-help type book and how to love yourself rather than the story of Lizzie. I would have been more interested to read about Lizzie and her life and everything that she has overcome to be the inspirational woman she is today. It just wasn't what I expected.
January 7, 2014
One of the best inspiring books I've ever read. Lizzie Velasquez is a lovely person with a unique perspective on how to overcome tough problems. She's actually BEEN there, so she has real insight, unlike some books that simply preach but the author has never practiced their own advice. Lizzie's solutions are simple and effective, and if you are anyone you know needs a little bit of encouragement in your life, I highly recommend Lizzie's book. She's a beautiful lady with a beautiful gift of inspiring others!
December 27, 2019
This book was not what I expected, it was better. Many years ago I saw her Ted talk, put this book on my list and finally bought it this year. I expected to be moved but because of her faith in God, I was more inspired than I anticipated.
I did not know she was a woman of faith. That was a pleasant surprise because the title does not imply that and she's not a Christian motivational speaker, she's a speaker who happens to be Christian.
It's a quick and easy read with self-reflective questions at the end of each chapter. (Some of the questions were geared towards a Catholic but I got past that and they are at the end.) The questions are not hard but be ready to do some journaling and thinking. She has good thought-provoking questions. She's funny, upbeat, and practical.
And as a former Catholic (now a born again Christian) her love for the Catholic church is refreshing and a reminder, not all people share my negative experience of growing up in the Catholic church.
I did not know she was a woman of faith. That was a pleasant surprise because the title does not imply that and she's not a Christian motivational speaker, she's a speaker who happens to be Christian.
It's a quick and easy read with self-reflective questions at the end of each chapter. (Some of the questions were geared towards a Catholic but I got past that and they are at the end.) The questions are not hard but be ready to do some journaling and thinking. She has good thought-provoking questions. She's funny, upbeat, and practical.
And as a former Catholic (now a born again Christian) her love for the Catholic church is refreshing and a reminder, not all people share my negative experience of growing up in the Catholic church.
December 27, 2012
What is most remarkable about this book is the author and her tremendously positive outlook on life. She is one of only three people in the world known to have the disorder she has which makes it impossible for her body to create muscle or store fat. Frankly, I doubt many people would have the courage and grace to thrive after finding a you-tube video about themselves called “The World’s Ugliest Woman”.
Much of this book is VERY religious in nature and/or aimed at college or high school student individuals as a motivational workbook to help people learn to love themselves and find purpose for their lives. Even so, tucked throughout are nuggets of wisdom far beyond the age of the author who is in her early twenties. It was worth skimming over portions I was not as interested in to read her motivational suggestions as to how others can be as positive about life as she is.
Much of this book is VERY religious in nature and/or aimed at college or high school student individuals as a motivational workbook to help people learn to love themselves and find purpose for their lives. Even so, tucked throughout are nuggets of wisdom far beyond the age of the author who is in her early twenties. It was worth skimming over portions I was not as interested in to read her motivational suggestions as to how others can be as positive about life as she is.
June 3, 2017
Lizzie's second book has a more mature voice and polished than the first. Much of her focus remains on her religion and her relationship with God, but the book avoids preachiness. Instead, it focuses on what the author has done and still does to face each day, while it poses questions and offers activities to help the reader reflect and find ways to overcome her (or his) own challenges. The book has a special appeal to teenage girls, but it kept my middle-aged interest as well.
January 23, 2014
It's a nice book. I would say that it is a kind of "self-help book" which teaches you to value all the good things you have in life.
The author, Lizzie Velásquez, is an amazing young woman: smart, inspiring and optimistic.
Although you notice that she is young and therefore her audience are mainly teenagers, I recommend it to everyone who needs some energy to forget a bad experience in life and to learn how to recharge her/his batteries.
The author, Lizzie Velásquez, is an amazing young woman: smart, inspiring and optimistic.
Although you notice that she is young and therefore her audience are mainly teenagers, I recommend it to everyone who needs some energy to forget a bad experience in life and to learn how to recharge her/his batteries.
April 19, 2013
This is the second book I've read by this author. I have read her books because of the amazing story of her life and her optimism. Although there was a lot of repetition in this book, I think it is a great read for anyone who struggles with low self-esteem or who, like me, just loves happy endings.
December 6, 2012
Would be good for a teenager going thru bullying or a tough situation. It is VERY catholic based and involves lots of prayer and talk about God.
June 12, 2013
Lizzie's faith and trust in God is incredible and truly inspiring. I really enjoyed reading this book, and am bookmarking some of those prayers - there are some serious gems!
September 30, 2024
I got to learn about Lizzie Velasquez from Internet (it is such a good friend, isn't it?!). Her name was associated with something I find dreadful: „the ugliest woman in the world’ in a YouTube video. So I googled for more. Got to her website. There was a link to her book on that site. So I bought it. „Be Beautiful, Be You”. I adored Lizzie’s light, kind, soft, warm and so very very personal style. Her sharing of her personal prayers is such an intimate act of love. And life was not easy and is still not easy on her.
Want to read
August 6, 2021i think this book is amazing.
March 8, 2022
I think this book is one of the best books ever because I can feel the honest without even reading
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2016
2016-01-18_17.39.09blogLizija ir divdesmit sešus gadus veca meitene no Amerikas. Viņas stāsts jau vairākus gadus iedvesmo cilvēkus. Viņa ir viena no tiem cilvēkiem, kuru ir terorizējuši (bullying) cilvēki, pat viņu nepazīstot. Lizijai (Lizzue Valesquez) ir rets sindroms, kurš viņai neļauj pieņemties svarā. Viņai nav anoreksija, viņa ir tieva/maziņa, kopš dzimšanas brīža. Cilvēki viņu ir saukājuši visādos vārdos, rakstījuši dažādus rupjus komentārus un centušies visādi citādi ņirgāties, neskatoties uz to, ka neviens no šiem cilvēkiem nemaz nezināja par šo meiteni un viņas problēmām. Ļoti patīk, ka meitene neskatoties uz visu to, ko viņai ir nācis piedzīvot, saglabā pozitīvu domāšanu un turpina virzīties uz savu mērķu izpildi.
Pirmo reizi par Liziju uzzināju no draudzenes. Viņa ik pa laikam sūta man video un rakstus par to, kā ir jādomā pozitīvi. Ka jebkuram mākonim ir zelta maliņa. Nav jau tā, ka esmu baigi negatīva, vai arī visu laiku dīcu par savu dzīvi draugiem. Nebūt nē. Vienkārši viņa mīl dalīties ar labām emocijām un, man savukārt patīk saņemt šādu emociju devu. :)
Pirmā iepazīšanās ar Liziju bija caur TED talks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzPbY...
Tajā es savukārt uzzināju, ka Lizija ir sarakstījusi grāmatas. Un protams, es tās pasūtīju.
Be Beautiful Be You by Lizzie Valesquez
Tā, kā TED video ar Lizijas piedalīšanos mani ļoti iedvesmoja, man gribējās uzzināt, kas notiks tad, kad izlasīšu viņas grāmatas. Un ziniet, man ļoti patika. Šai jaunajai meitenei ir tik daudz gudru domu iekšā, ka no grāmatas nav iespējams atrauties. Ļoti patīk arī tas, ka autore uzdod jautājumus lasītājiem un, grāmatā ir vieta, lai uz tiem atbildētu. "Be Beautiful Be You" ir meitenes otrā grāmata. Bet, tā kā man nepatīk rakstīt grāmatās, es esmu savas atbildes rakstījusi uz piezīmju lapiņām.
"Hold your head up, smile, and believe in yourself. Be your own best positiving example.
Remember, it only takes one person to change your life. Be that person." (32 lpp)
Kopumā šajā grāmatā ir apkopota tehnika, lai saprastu, kas Tu īsti esi. Paralēli tiek stāstīts, kāpēc ir jāmīl sevi. Kāpēc svarīgi ir būt Tev pašam, nevis tam, ko no Tevis vēlās redzēt citi. Lizija ar savu piemēru parāda, ka būt atšķirīgam nav nemaz tik slikti. Jā, ir biedējoši, bet, vajag uzdrošināties. Šī grāmata palīdz saprast, kas ir Tavas prioritātes, kādas ir Tavas sliktās puses un kā Tu tās spēj pārvērst par labajām, respektīvi likt tam strādāt savā labā.
Šo grāmatu ieteiktu tiem, kas vēl joprojām nav atraduši sevi.
Choosing Happiness by Lizzie Valasquez
Šī ir Lizijas trešā grāmata. Šajā grāmatā Lizija stāsta par to, kāpēc ir svarīgi būt laimīgam. Būt pateicīgam par to, kas Tev jau ir dots. Šajā grāmatā autore daudz runā par terorizēšanu (bullying). Par to, ka tas cilvēkus dara nelaimīgus. Un, kāpēc ir jācenšas to novērst, ja redzam, ka kāds šo vārdu teroru izmanto pret citiem. Daudz tiek runāts par savu vērtību apzināšanos.
"If there's something you want to do, you can find a way to do it. Sometimes all it takes is being brave enough to start." (32 lpp)
Abas grāmatas ir atšķirīgas, neskatoties uz to, ka tēmas varētu šķist līdzīgas. Ja "Be Beautiful Be You" autore norāda uz to, ka ir sevi jāmīl un jābūt sev. Tad šajā grāmatā tiek vairāk rakstīts un runāts par laimi, par lietām, kuras Tevi, jā, tieši Tevi dara laimīgu. Un to, ka nevajag savā tuvumā turēt lietas un attiecības, kas nedara Tevi laimīgu.
- - -
Kopumā abas grāmatas man ļoti patika. Jo ir viegli lasāmas un nav nekādu pārgudru domu, kuras ir jācenšas pašam saprast un iztulkot. Lizija par visu runā tieši un bez aplinkus. Grāmatām cauri vijās pozitīvas domas un iedvesmojoši citāti. Iesaku šis abas grāmatas izlasīt tad, kad saproti, ka esošā dzīve Tevi neapmierina un ir vēlme kaut ko mainīt, bet Tu nezini, ar ko sākt. :)
Starp citu, brīžos, kad jūtos draņķīgi, es piesēžos pie datora, ieslēdzu augstāk esošo video un iedvesmojos. Šomēnes bija jāatrod savs iedvesmas cilvēks, es to atradu Lizijas personībā. Un jā, jo vairāk skatos TED video ar Liziju, jo vairāk viņa man simpatizē.
Mīliet sevi un savus tuvākos. :)
Ar cieņu, Mēnessmeitēns...
Pirmo reizi par Liziju uzzināju no draudzenes. Viņa ik pa laikam sūta man video un rakstus par to, kā ir jādomā pozitīvi. Ka jebkuram mākonim ir zelta maliņa. Nav jau tā, ka esmu baigi negatīva, vai arī visu laiku dīcu par savu dzīvi draugiem. Nebūt nē. Vienkārši viņa mīl dalīties ar labām emocijām un, man savukārt patīk saņemt šādu emociju devu. :)
Pirmā iepazīšanās ar Liziju bija caur TED talks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzPbY...
Tajā es savukārt uzzināju, ka Lizija ir sarakstījusi grāmatas. Un protams, es tās pasūtīju.
Be Beautiful Be You by Lizzie Valesquez
Tā, kā TED video ar Lizijas piedalīšanos mani ļoti iedvesmoja, man gribējās uzzināt, kas notiks tad, kad izlasīšu viņas grāmatas. Un ziniet, man ļoti patika. Šai jaunajai meitenei ir tik daudz gudru domu iekšā, ka no grāmatas nav iespējams atrauties. Ļoti patīk arī tas, ka autore uzdod jautājumus lasītājiem un, grāmatā ir vieta, lai uz tiem atbildētu. "Be Beautiful Be You" ir meitenes otrā grāmata. Bet, tā kā man nepatīk rakstīt grāmatās, es esmu savas atbildes rakstījusi uz piezīmju lapiņām.
"Hold your head up, smile, and believe in yourself. Be your own best positiving example.
Remember, it only takes one person to change your life. Be that person." (32 lpp)
Kopumā šajā grāmatā ir apkopota tehnika, lai saprastu, kas Tu īsti esi. Paralēli tiek stāstīts, kāpēc ir jāmīl sevi. Kāpēc svarīgi ir būt Tev pašam, nevis tam, ko no Tevis vēlās redzēt citi. Lizija ar savu piemēru parāda, ka būt atšķirīgam nav nemaz tik slikti. Jā, ir biedējoši, bet, vajag uzdrošināties. Šī grāmata palīdz saprast, kas ir Tavas prioritātes, kādas ir Tavas sliktās puses un kā Tu tās spēj pārvērst par labajām, respektīvi likt tam strādāt savā labā.
Šo grāmatu ieteiktu tiem, kas vēl joprojām nav atraduši sevi.
Choosing Happiness by Lizzie Valasquez
Šī ir Lizijas trešā grāmata. Šajā grāmatā Lizija stāsta par to, kāpēc ir svarīgi būt laimīgam. Būt pateicīgam par to, kas Tev jau ir dots. Šajā grāmatā autore daudz runā par terorizēšanu (bullying). Par to, ka tas cilvēkus dara nelaimīgus. Un, kāpēc ir jācenšas to novērst, ja redzam, ka kāds šo vārdu teroru izmanto pret citiem. Daudz tiek runāts par savu vērtību apzināšanos.
"If there's something you want to do, you can find a way to do it. Sometimes all it takes is being brave enough to start." (32 lpp)
Abas grāmatas ir atšķirīgas, neskatoties uz to, ka tēmas varētu šķist līdzīgas. Ja "Be Beautiful Be You" autore norāda uz to, ka ir sevi jāmīl un jābūt sev. Tad šajā grāmatā tiek vairāk rakstīts un runāts par laimi, par lietām, kuras Tevi, jā, tieši Tevi dara laimīgu. Un to, ka nevajag savā tuvumā turēt lietas un attiecības, kas nedara Tevi laimīgu.
- - -
Kopumā abas grāmatas man ļoti patika. Jo ir viegli lasāmas un nav nekādu pārgudru domu, kuras ir jācenšas pašam saprast un iztulkot. Lizija par visu runā tieši un bez aplinkus. Grāmatām cauri vijās pozitīvas domas un iedvesmojoši citāti. Iesaku šis abas grāmatas izlasīt tad, kad saproti, ka esošā dzīve Tevi neapmierina un ir vēlme kaut ko mainīt, bet Tu nezini, ar ko sākt. :)
Starp citu, brīžos, kad jūtos draņķīgi, es piesēžos pie datora, ieslēdzu augstāk esošo video un iedvesmojos. Šomēnes bija jāatrod savs iedvesmas cilvēks, es to atradu Lizijas personībā. Un jā, jo vairāk skatos TED video ar Liziju, jo vairāk viņa man simpatizē.
Mīliet sevi un savus tuvākos. :)
Ar cieņu, Mēnessmeitēns...
February 22, 2017
This book was short and easy to get through, but also made me stop and think. It offered practical advice to help improve self-esteem rather than the typical, “you're awesome, love yourself," that so many other books offer.
April 8, 2014
We're all victims of something, but that's not who we are. What defines our character is the way we react to our situation.
I have admired Lizzie from the moment I discovered her through a Youtube video, I thought "what a wonderful woman, she has a lot to teach us!
In fact, she does. This book contains very useful quotes and advice. However, what I didn't like was that it was too much God-focused, but as it is one important aspect in her life, it was interesting to read that as well.
Remember, it only takes one person to change your life. Be that person!
I have admired Lizzie from the moment I discovered her through a Youtube video, I thought "what a wonderful woman, she has a lot to teach us!
In fact, she does. This book contains very useful quotes and advice. However, what I didn't like was that it was too much God-focused, but as it is one important aspect in her life, it was interesting to read that as well.
Remember, it only takes one person to change your life. Be that person!
February 3, 2013
This was a fascinating book, though not what I thought it would be. Lizzie is very religious and talks a lot about her relationship with God. She has a disease which prevents her from gaining any weight. She learned to deal with it and does motivational speaking as well as going to college. I really believe this is a book for younger girls who need direction and to set goals. It was definitely a good read and I recommend it anyone who wants to be uplifted.
January 3, 2016
I am excited to read your book lizzie, you have inspired to become like you, I have had my fair share of hardship in life just as we all have had,
you are an inspiration, and motivation to do better, I have started writing out a book myself, its not going to be easy, but with your help and by reading your book you are giving me more ideas and improving my skills of writing, thanks so much for playing a huge role in my life, ill always look upto you!... xxx
you are an inspiration, and motivation to do better, I have started writing out a book myself, its not going to be easy, but with your help and by reading your book you are giving me more ideas and improving my skills of writing, thanks so much for playing a huge role in my life, ill always look upto you!... xxx
January 25, 2015
Lizzie's books reminds us of trusting and praying to God. In this books she shows us, through some tips, how she keeps away all the negativity and stay positive. I recommend this book to everyone that is looking for inspiration on those days of negativity and lost. She is truly a role model.
November 16, 2016
I loved reading this to my kids!! We had many great discussions and learning opportunities. I feel that they came away from this read with more compassion and understanding about those around them and who they want to become.
Want to read
September 28, 2015A friend turned me onto this. I cannot wait to delve into her journey and "start learning"
March 3, 2013
This would be a good book for teens struggling with self-esteem.
July 20, 2013
i think shei thinks it's a good book for a the best personality in this world because he make us feel happy to read this book
January 9, 2014
an awesome book...a must read !!!!
lizzie u r a hero u true god gift
thank u 4 this amazing inspiration
lizzie u r a hero u true god gift
thank u 4 this amazing inspiration
January 16, 2014
good book, and good author :)
November 26, 2015
It dererves 5 stars .. the best Book I have ever read thanks Lizzie :D Carry on
November 18, 2014
I thought this book was very inspiring. This talks about a women who has a very rare disorder. But with the help of her family and god she gets through the bullies and other mean people.
June 25, 2016
This is a very inspirational book on how to appreciate who you are to God and who you can be to yourself with or without the approval of others.
February 27, 2016
I have a different conception of God than this woman does, but I found a lot that was of value in this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews