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More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say)
by
In this part-manifesto, part-memoir, the revolutionary editor who infused social consciousness into the pages of Teen Vogue explores what it means to come into your own—on your own terms
Throughout her life, Elaine Welteroth has climbed the ranks of media and fashion, shattering ceilings along the way. In this riveting and timely memoir, the groundbreaking journalist unpac ...more
Throughout her life, Elaine Welteroth has climbed the ranks of media and fashion, shattering ceilings along the way. In this riveting and timely memoir, the groundbreaking journalist unpac ...more
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Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
June 11th 2019
by Viking
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Start your review of More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say)

More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are is a memoir by journalist Elaine Welteroth. While it’s her story, there is a plethora of advice for anyone seeking more, who may doubt themselves from time to time. Welteroth uses her own experiences to highlight the points she makes about trusting yourself, knowing your worth, and making big decisions in life.
I wasn’t familiar with Welteroth prior to Bravo’s reboot of Project Runway last year. As a long time fan of the show, I quickly became hoo ...more
I wasn’t familiar with Welteroth prior to Bravo’s reboot of Project Runway last year. As a long time fan of the show, I quickly became hoo ...more

Sep 29, 2019
Michelle
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
2019,
2019-color-challenge,
september-2019,
non-fiction,
biography-memoir,
diaspora,
giveaway
So many kernels of wisdom. So many seeds of love and empowerment.

As a writer and editor, I've read a lot of memoirs by legends, icons, and giants in the industry over the years; hell, that was half of my reading diet back in college. I've read even more articles and interviews on the internet chronicling the lives and careers of the women I wanted to be.
I can say without a doubt though that Elaine Welteroth's More Than Enough is one of my favorites to date. Not only is her story line clear and her writing breezy, but she offers so much more than just some vag ...more
I can say without a doubt though that Elaine Welteroth's More Than Enough is one of my favorites to date. Not only is her story line clear and her writing breezy, but she offers so much more than just some vag ...more

Wow, I have to say Wow!
This book really put some things into perspective for me. Some which I knew already, being a woman, and the challenges we face everyday in the work place and life and even touch on the #MeToo movement. It also really helped open my eyes to some amazing pieces I wasn't aware of for the Black community. There are so many beautiful inspiring stories in this book, I recommend it to all my friends. It has also helped me, as I am starting up at a new company, to find my voice a ...more
This book really put some things into perspective for me. Some which I knew already, being a woman, and the challenges we face everyday in the work place and life and even touch on the #MeToo movement. It also really helped open my eyes to some amazing pieces I wasn't aware of for the Black community. There are so many beautiful inspiring stories in this book, I recommend it to all my friends. It has also helped me, as I am starting up at a new company, to find my voice a ...more

I went into this not really knowing who Elaine was (I know, shameful) but after reading her memoir I'm now a HUGE fan (cue me immediately following her on Twitter and Instagram). Her story of following her passions – and the struggles that come with it – especially as a woman of color, was honest, inspiring, and entertaining. Her narration was perfect, and I loved that her parents' narrated things they said. Definitely pick this one up if you love a good memoir.
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“We went through what we went through so that you could live, baby girl. So you gotta live. Run after it. And know that we are all with you.”
I was tearing up at the first chapter. This book was easy to read and Elaine passes on so many little gems and life lessons. I loved how she made sure to talk about the many challenges she faced while trying to achieve her goals. Watching someone’s life play out on social media can make things appear more prefect than they really are. Looks can be deceivin ...more
I was tearing up at the first chapter. This book was easy to read and Elaine passes on so many little gems and life lessons. I loved how she made sure to talk about the many challenges she faced while trying to achieve her goals. Watching someone’s life play out on social media can make things appear more prefect than they really are. Looks can be deceivin ...more

I really liked the first half, maybe first 2/3 of this book. I loved hearing about Elaine’s experience growing up as a biracial woman. When she started to talk about her experience at Teen Vogue is when she lost me. I respect her so much, am so grateful that she is basically responsible for Teen Vogue “becoming woke,” and admire the work she put into the magazine. However, I saw a lot of missed opportunities in this section of the book and they really rubbed me the wrong way. She talks about how
...more

Never has a memoir made me feel so seen and motivated. More Than Enough is a book that will resonate with any minority who has ever felt invisible, any woman who's ever been in a shitty relationship, and any young budding millennial activist trying to pave their way through their professional field. Elaine is nothing short of an icon. I could easily read this book a thousand times over.
...more

I really liked this book. I have so much in common with the author (same age, both mixed, exes went to same college, from the same area, husbands went to same HS) so I could relate deeply to her. I wasn’t deeply moved but enjoyed her stories. The book felt a little sanitized or too polished for me. Perhaps the thought of a you get audience played a factor. Without the commonalities I’m not sure how I would’ve felt about the book overall.

Elaine Welteroth is an icon. Full stop. I first learned of Elaine through her work at Teen Vogue and her stint on Project Runway as a judge, which is what inspired me to check out her memoir.
*
More Than Enough follows Welteroth from her childhood up through her time at Teen Vogue. It's an incredibly honest and thoughtful look into her life as a biracial woman, as she deftly handles her experience with issues such as colorism, imposter syndrome, racism and ageism in the workplace, and the trials o ...more
*
More Than Enough follows Welteroth from her childhood up through her time at Teen Vogue. It's an incredibly honest and thoughtful look into her life as a biracial woman, as she deftly handles her experience with issues such as colorism, imposter syndrome, racism and ageism in the workplace, and the trials o ...more

Solid highs and lows. Nice voice. Tries a smidge too hard to be empowering. Lots of focus on race—even when it’s not relevant. I found myself wondering who she was beyond her color.
The book really picks up when she talks about her career, but lags in the relationship stuff. There is nothing special, extraordinary, or profound about the dating stuff or her early life. Maybe if it was explored in the book differently?
She definitely is a go getter, but I still don’t know who she is after having r ...more
The book really picks up when she talks about her career, but lags in the relationship stuff. There is nothing special, extraordinary, or profound about the dating stuff or her early life. Maybe if it was explored in the book differently?
She definitely is a go getter, but I still don’t know who she is after having r ...more

Black Girl Magic 🪄
This is my first read of 2021, and it will set the tone for my whole year! I literally devoured this book as it seemed like Elaine was speaking into my life’s experiences. I had so many moments of pause and reflection and sending texts to @kaliesbookshelf about issues we have both experienced and talked about a lot!
Growing up, and even now some, being pretty much the only brown body in a lot of white spaces makes you do things to cope that I really didn’t fully realize I had d ...more
This is my first read of 2021, and it will set the tone for my whole year! I literally devoured this book as it seemed like Elaine was speaking into my life’s experiences. I had so many moments of pause and reflection and sending texts to @kaliesbookshelf about issues we have both experienced and talked about a lot!
Growing up, and even now some, being pretty much the only brown body in a lot of white spaces makes you do things to cope that I really didn’t fully realize I had d ...more

Quick review for a wonderfully inspiring read. Elaine Welteroth's "More than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are" is an inspiring, honest, sometimes humored and sometimes candored look at the life of the author as she navigates her early years to her journey to becoming the first African American editor of a Conde Nast magazine (Teen Vogue). She takes a detailed look into her family history - how her parents met and their struggles - to navigating her own enthusiastic pursuits and interests,
...more

More Than Enough is a love letter to young women navigating their way through life's challenges in an ever-changing world. Elaine Welteroth lays bare her story of heartbreak, racism, badassery, and soul-reviving dreams that become reality. This book should be required reading for every woman - young and older. When she cried, I cried. When she won, I cheered for her. I am here for all of it especially the fact that she, too finds solace - to read and send emails - sitting on the toilet. I love e
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I was apprehensive at first when I was reading this book. I questioned what message I would get out of this but Elaine's story is captivating, inspiring, and amazing to read. I deeply enjoyed this book and definitely will recommend!
...more

Forgive me for the hastags and @'s, I'm copying and pasting from my Instagram. Why reinvent the wheel?
I just finished this gem of a book. It's about identify, race, belonging, confidence, courage, leadership, and so much more. I saw @elainewelteroth speak at the @uofdenver Women's Conference and the woman was dripping with poise. Her voice shines through in the book the same way it did from the stage.
What struck me most was the courage she drew on in every stage of her illustrious career (from ...more
I just finished this gem of a book. It's about identify, race, belonging, confidence, courage, leadership, and so much more. I saw @elainewelteroth speak at the @uofdenver Women's Conference and the woman was dripping with poise. Her voice shines through in the book the same way it did from the stage.
What struck me most was the courage she drew on in every stage of her illustrious career (from ...more

“More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are” by Elaine Welteroth had so many gems and words of wisdom throughout. I really appreciated the foreword by Ava DuVernay. While I was not at all familiar with Welteroth before reading this book, it was certainly interesting to read about her own experiences growing up as well as becoming the woman that she is today. Her stories of race and not fitting in were definitely something that I could relate to on a personal note. Actually, there were man
...more

"as a black woman, the decision to love yourself just as you are is a radical act" ... Wow has this been a journey for me.... Great parts of this book that spoke to my own experience of white dad, black mom. Also allowed me to share the experience of how being treated by other black women who don't fully accept or aak/value my journey ..reminds me to always be an ear or shoulder to other woman of color at any time ...
...more

4 1/2 "Extraordinary" Stars!
This book was very good. Self help and Autobiographies are not really my jam, but It was surprisingly emotional and somewhat reflective of my own life experiences. I highly recommend this book to WOC and all women really. But especially if you are or you have young adult age daughters- say high school to early/mid twenties. But clearly any age woman. I'm in my 40s. This is a great reflection of the author's journey through her career and personal life trials and trium ...more
This book was very good. Self help and Autobiographies are not really my jam, but It was surprisingly emotional and somewhat reflective of my own life experiences. I highly recommend this book to WOC and all women really. But especially if you are or you have young adult age daughters- say high school to early/mid twenties. But clearly any age woman. I'm in my 40s. This is a great reflection of the author's journey through her career and personal life trials and trium ...more

Wow, this book. THIS. BOOK. I cannot recommend it enough. Elaine Welteroth covers so much ground. Every single topic she addresses is real, honest, timely, and relatable. She discusses many subjects in-depth, including racial justice, colorism, romantic relationships and knowing your worth, pay disparities for women of color, and fighting to be valued in the workplace, even when you have worked tirelessly to prove just how valuable you are. I found myself rooting for her at every progression in
...more

This was a lovely and lovingly crafted memoir that both took me inside an unfamiliar world with someone I was only vaguely familiar with, a welcome bit of kinship in the places where my experience overlapped, and a inspirational charge to be unapologetic in who you are and what you want- especially if you come from a marginalized community.
As a white cisgendered heterosexual woman this book was another piece of storytelling I needed to hear in order to continue to gain more awareness about the p ...more
As a white cisgendered heterosexual woman this book was another piece of storytelling I needed to hear in order to continue to gain more awareness about the p ...more

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 ...more
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 ...more
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Elaine Welteroth is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist and judge on the new Project Runway. She is known for her groundbreaking work at the helm of Teen Vogue where in 2017 she was appointed the youngest Editor-in-Chief at a Conde Nast publication. She’s now a leading expert and advocate for the next generation of change-makers. She was recently appointed Cultural Ambass
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