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#VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl's Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Humor (2020)Actress, comedian, and podcaster extraordinaire Nicole Byer’s guide to being a #brave, bikini-wearing badass.
If you’ve ever seen a fat person post a bikini shot on social media, you already know that they are #verybrave, because apparently existing in a fat body in public is #brave. I, Nicole Byer, wrote this book to 1. share my impressive bikini collection and my hot body with the world and 2. help other people feel #brave by embracing their body as it is. In this book, I share my journey to becoming #brave, give you my hot tips and tricks—on how to find the perfect bikini, how to find your own #bravery, and how to handle haters—and serve you over 100 bikini looks.
If you’ve ever seen a fat person post a bikini shot on social media, you already know that they are #verybrave, because apparently existing in a fat body in public is #brave. I, Nicole Byer, wrote this book to 1. share my impressive bikini collection and my hot body with the world and 2. help other people feel #brave by embracing their body as it is. In this book, I share my journey to becoming #brave, give you my hot tips and tricks—on how to find the perfect bikini, how to find your own #bravery, and how to handle haters—and serve you over 100 bikini looks.
183 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2020
150 people are currently reading
6010 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Byer
3 books50 followersNicole Byer is one of the most versatile voices in the comedy landscape today. An actress, comedian, writer, author and podcaster, she is perhaps most well-known as the host of Netflix’s hit reality competition baking series Nailed It!, which has gained a cult following of viewers since its premiere on the streaming platform in 2018. The show has received multiple Emmy nominations and, in 2020, Nicole made history by becoming the first black woman ever to be nominated in the category of “Outstanding Host for A Reality or Competition Program.”
Nicole is also known for her standout appearances on MTV’s hit show Girl Code, a female-driven comedy series that opens the dialogue for the wonders and woes of womanhood.
Listeners can hear Nicole on five different podcasts, the fan-favorite being her popular weekly podcast Why Won’t You Date Me?, which sees her inviting friends and guests to discuss their dating lives all while trying to figure out her own. Her book, #VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl’s Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini, was published by Andrews McMeel in June 2020. In it, she shares her impressive bikini collection, tips on learning how to embrace your body and her overall journey to becoming a #brave badass.
Nicole is an Upright Citizens Brigade alum who continues to cement her status as a force in standup by regularly performing in cities across the country. Previously, she received national attention for her web series Pursuit of Sexiness, which she co-created and starred in alongside friend and fellow comic Sasheer Zamata. The series followed the adventures of two broke, single, and adorably self-absorbed young women trying to find a good guy in New York City. Her additional film and television work includes Loosely Exactly Nicole, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Lady Dynamite, Party Over Here, BoJack Horseman, and 30 Rock.
Nicole currently resides in Los Angeles, where she is shooting the upcoming reboot of the television game show Wipeout! with co-host John Cena for TBS.
Nicole is also known for her standout appearances on MTV’s hit show Girl Code, a female-driven comedy series that opens the dialogue for the wonders and woes of womanhood.
Listeners can hear Nicole on five different podcasts, the fan-favorite being her popular weekly podcast Why Won’t You Date Me?, which sees her inviting friends and guests to discuss their dating lives all while trying to figure out her own. Her book, #VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl’s Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini, was published by Andrews McMeel in June 2020. In it, she shares her impressive bikini collection, tips on learning how to embrace your body and her overall journey to becoming a #brave badass.
Nicole is an Upright Citizens Brigade alum who continues to cement her status as a force in standup by regularly performing in cities across the country. Previously, she received national attention for her web series Pursuit of Sexiness, which she co-created and starred in alongside friend and fellow comic Sasheer Zamata. The series followed the adventures of two broke, single, and adorably self-absorbed young women trying to find a good guy in New York City. Her additional film and television work includes Loosely Exactly Nicole, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, Lady Dynamite, Party Over Here, BoJack Horseman, and 30 Rock.
Nicole currently resides in Los Angeles, where she is shooting the upcoming reboot of the television game show Wipeout! with co-host John Cena for TBS.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 497 reviews
April 30, 2020
This book was everything I love about Nicole Byer!! I love her on nailed it!! She is hilarious, fearless, sassy, and confident!!! My 2 issues with this book were 1. The format- I am hard pressed to call this is a book, as opposed to a bunch of media posts thrown together (which if branded that way...i would have been fine with). 2. It was a lot of repetition!!!
For more book fun check out my blog @: http://beachbumbookworm.com/
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley, the authors Nicole Byer, and the publisher for this opportunity
For more book fun check out my blog @: http://beachbumbookworm.com/
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley, the authors Nicole Byer, and the publisher for this opportunity
June 5, 2020
Because any time a fat woman posts a photo on Instagram, people always comment and say, "You’re so brave! How do you not want to kill yourself?! This is incredible!’" So my book is a very tongue-in-cheek, self-help guide on how you can be as brave as I am. It’s silly and it has a lot of pictures of me in a bikini. So if you don’t like that, you’re going to hate the book! - Nicole Byer
A book that tells you right out of the gate / cover what it’s going to be, then fucking delivers. It never pretends to be anything beyond a collection of bikini pics, advice, and humor. But if you want to see Nicole Byer being #verybrave, its worth a read.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the review copy!
A book that tells you right out of the gate / cover what it’s going to be, then fucking delivers. It never pretends to be anything beyond a collection of bikini pics, advice, and humor. But if you want to see Nicole Byer being #verybrave, its worth a read.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the review copy!
March 28, 2020
If you want to see pictures of Nicole Byer in every bikini she owns, to emphasize that a bikini body is a body in a bikini, this is the book for you. She is tired of being called brave just for wearing clothes in public that show some skin, or for wearing a bathing suit that isn't a nun habit. There are little pieces of her life story in there, a lot of snark, more snark in the form of lists, and a lot of bright photos of a wide variety of bikinis. (Nicole is the host of Nailed It on Netflix, also had a guest spot on The Good Place, also is still doing improv with Upright Citizens Brigade.
I had a copy early from the publisher through Edelweiss. It comes out June 2, just in time to get ready for swimsuit season.
I had a copy early from the publisher through Edelweiss. It comes out June 2, just in time to get ready for swimsuit season.
June 15, 2020
Nicole Byer is one of my favourite comedians and I can't get enough of her comedy! I was introduced to her through Nailed It! and ever since I've enjoyed following her career. When I saw this book pop up on NetGalley and Goodreads, it was a giant, enthusiastic YES YES YES YES YES YES and I requested it without hesitation.
This book is sassy and honest, exactly how I like these kind of books! I was chuckling in the intro, and that was only two pages in, let alone when we got to the tips and the rest of the book! For example, make sure you change in a change room is a funny comment, BUT I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE DO THAT IN PUBLIC SO OMG RELATABLE AND HIGHLY AMUSING. All caps, because I was snorting and chuckling along with this comment, remembering that odd time in a Burlington Coat Factory.
Now, I do have to admit I'm biased. My entire life I was made fun of for my weight (even when I was at my healthiest as a highly competitive athlete or as just a kindergartener because you know... kids are mean), and I still am. I can relate to this book very well, and thus found it enjoyable to read about it in a comedic sense.
Extra positives:
1. Dinosaur Bikini = Awesome
2. Imagining someone just eating a raw potato while wearing a bikini
3. "Your worth isn't dictated by whether someone's attracted to you." SAY IT LOUDER FOR THOSE PEOPLE IN THE BACK, NICOLE!
4. Lobster Bikini Top = Wild
5. Burger and Fries One Piece = I want to find this. It's incredible.
6. The body positivity in this is AWESOME. As another Millennial who worked on her body confidence for the last year, I can truly appreciate this honest and funny take. Nicole is my spirit animal!
In summary, BUY THIS BOOK. I highly recommend it and I absolutely love it! It's fantabulous!
Five out of five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrew McMeels Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
This book is sassy and honest, exactly how I like these kind of books! I was chuckling in the intro, and that was only two pages in, let alone when we got to the tips and the rest of the book! For example, make sure you change in a change room is a funny comment, BUT I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE DO THAT IN PUBLIC SO OMG RELATABLE AND HIGHLY AMUSING. All caps, because I was snorting and chuckling along with this comment, remembering that odd time in a Burlington Coat Factory.
Now, I do have to admit I'm biased. My entire life I was made fun of for my weight (even when I was at my healthiest as a highly competitive athlete or as just a kindergartener because you know... kids are mean), and I still am. I can relate to this book very well, and thus found it enjoyable to read about it in a comedic sense.
Extra positives:
1. Dinosaur Bikini = Awesome
2. Imagining someone just eating a raw potato while wearing a bikini
3. "Your worth isn't dictated by whether someone's attracted to you." SAY IT LOUDER FOR THOSE PEOPLE IN THE BACK, NICOLE!
4. Lobster Bikini Top = Wild
5. Burger and Fries One Piece = I want to find this. It's incredible.
6. The body positivity in this is AWESOME. As another Millennial who worked on her body confidence for the last year, I can truly appreciate this honest and funny take. Nicole is my spirit animal!
In summary, BUY THIS BOOK. I highly recommend it and I absolutely love it! It's fantabulous!
Five out of five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrew McMeels Publishing for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
March 27, 2020
What I thought I was going to read: a Nicole Byer memoir.
What I actually read: a guide to embracing and learning to love your body (#allbodiesarebeautiful) full of Nicole's trademark humor, a small smattering of anecdotal stories from her life, and tons of fun, amazing bikini photos.
Tl;dr: it's nothing like what I anticipated and I'm not even a little mad.
What I actually read: a guide to embracing and learning to love your body (#allbodiesarebeautiful) full of Nicole's trademark humor, a small smattering of anecdotal stories from her life, and tons of fun, amazing bikini photos.
Tl;dr: it's nothing like what I anticipated and I'm not even a little mad.
May 28, 2020
I LOVE Nicole Byer, so I was really excited that she wrote a book. However, the ratio of writing to photos is really disproportionate, and it wasn't what I was looking for out of a book by a comedian (funny stories/essays). While there were some really good pieces of writing, it was so minimal (I would've LOVED more elaboration on a lot of the things she talked about), and I hope she does write another book that is more "traditional' and is more writing based than picture based.
If you are looking for what the book is (a majority of photos and call to action to be #brave), you will enjoy it. If you're looking more for something more heavy on prose, this isn't the book for you.
I do feel bad for not liking this more because I really do love Nicole Byer; I just like my books to be more book-y.
Thanks to NetGalley/the publisher for an ARC!
If you are looking for what the book is (a majority of photos and call to action to be #brave), you will enjoy it. If you're looking more for something more heavy on prose, this isn't the book for you.
I do feel bad for not liking this more because I really do love Nicole Byer; I just like my books to be more book-y.
Thanks to NetGalley/the publisher for an ARC!
April 30, 2020
When Nicole Byer first posted a photo of herself wearing a bikini on Instagram, she knew she was being #verybrave—mostly because that’s what everyone kept telling her. After all, according to the outside world, merely showing a little skin while fat is incredibly #brave. So now she’s written a book sharing her brave hints, tricks, and tips for embracing bodies and rocking a bikini, all while showing off her own impressive collection.
Nicole Byer is one of the funniest comedians working today, so it’s no surprise her first book is laugh-out-loud funny. Through brief batches of text, she offers a series of anecdotes and a lot of sass to explain how she came to accept her love of bikinis in a society that isn't always okay with body-type diversity. It's a body positive message with a bit of an edge: Byer stresses the importance of finding enjoyment, everyone else's opinions be damned—and she's totally unafraid to get loud and exuberant with her message.
While these sections are compelling in their own right, the majority of the book is devoted to Byer's photoshoot with Kim Newmoney in a variety of bikinis across Los Angeles. In a way, she's putting her money where her mouth is. While it's one thing for Byer to stress the importance of loving your body, she gets out and proves she loves her through a series of fun, beautiful, and occasionally wacky pictures. Along the way, she shares some tips about how she pulls off such seemingly effortless looks, which are genuinely useful.
Light on words, big on personality, #VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE is a much needed-welcomed voice on positivity.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
Nicole Byer is one of the funniest comedians working today, so it’s no surprise her first book is laugh-out-loud funny. Through brief batches of text, she offers a series of anecdotes and a lot of sass to explain how she came to accept her love of bikinis in a society that isn't always okay with body-type diversity. It's a body positive message with a bit of an edge: Byer stresses the importance of finding enjoyment, everyone else's opinions be damned—and she's totally unafraid to get loud and exuberant with her message.
While these sections are compelling in their own right, the majority of the book is devoted to Byer's photoshoot with Kim Newmoney in a variety of bikinis across Los Angeles. In a way, she's putting her money where her mouth is. While it's one thing for Byer to stress the importance of loving your body, she gets out and proves she loves her through a series of fun, beautiful, and occasionally wacky pictures. Along the way, she shares some tips about how she pulls off such seemingly effortless looks, which are genuinely useful.
Light on words, big on personality, #VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE is a much needed-welcomed voice on positivity.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
April 9, 2020
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
I need to start this by saying that I LOVE Nicole Byer. Half the reason I enjoy Nailed It! so much is because of Nicole, the other half of me just basks in chaos, but that is neither here nor there.
I kind of freaked out when I heard of this book because it sounded like something I would enjoy and catered to a lot of my interests.
Those interests being:
- Being a fat poc
- Enjoying expressing myself through clothes (we're considering bikinis 'clothes' for the sake of this review)
- Enjoying freaking people out in yoga/pilates classes by being Fat & Flexible (& Strong - I tried finding a synonym for 'Strong' that started with F for the sake of alliteration but I could not, so here we are)
- Enjoying books
Enough about the me though, let's talk about this book. Yes, it's mostly pictures of Nicole in a bikini, but honestly, what did you expect? But whatever small part of this is actual text is very enjoyable and definitely shines with Nicole's personality and charisma. I strongly related with a lot of her experiences and laughed way too loudly and snorted unattractively during several bits.
This book is a breath of fresh air and can turn a bad day on it's head. It can also be a stepping stone to #Brave.
I have not yet reached Nicole's level of #Brave, but I definitely feel like this brought me closer.
Late last year I started wearing shorts and crop tops when taking my dogs out to the dog park, as well as tank tops, so you know, baby steps. Very fat baby steps. Spoiler alert: there's a picture of Nicole wearing a bikini and walking her dogs, so who knows? Maybe one day!
I need to start this by saying that I LOVE Nicole Byer. Half the reason I enjoy Nailed It! so much is because of Nicole, the other half of me just basks in chaos, but that is neither here nor there.
I kind of freaked out when I heard of this book because it sounded like something I would enjoy and catered to a lot of my interests.
Those interests being:
- Being a fat poc
- Enjoying expressing myself through clothes (we're considering bikinis 'clothes' for the sake of this review)
- Enjoying freaking people out in yoga/pilates classes by being Fat & Flexible (& Strong - I tried finding a synonym for 'Strong' that started with F for the sake of alliteration but I could not, so here we are)
- Enjoying books
Enough about the me though, let's talk about this book. Yes, it's mostly pictures of Nicole in a bikini, but honestly, what did you expect? But whatever small part of this is actual text is very enjoyable and definitely shines with Nicole's personality and charisma. I strongly related with a lot of her experiences and laughed way too loudly and snorted unattractively during several bits.
This book is a breath of fresh air and can turn a bad day on it's head. It can also be a stepping stone to #Brave.
I have not yet reached Nicole's level of #Brave, but I definitely feel like this brought me closer.
Late last year I started wearing shorts and crop tops when taking my dogs out to the dog park, as well as tank tops, so you know, baby steps. Very fat baby steps. Spoiler alert: there's a picture of Nicole wearing a bikini and walking her dogs, so who knows? Maybe one day!
June 28, 2021
Nicole Byer is very funny and beautiful, so it definitely was not a hardship to look at a bunch of pictures of her in incredibly cute bikinis. On top of that, it was just really validating to see a fat lady rocking said cute bikinis.
That said, there isn't a lot of book to this book. There's about 30 pages worth of Nicole talking about her journey towards feeling comfortable wearing bikinis (and swimsuits in general), and her unique voice really shines through there. Then there's about 20 pages of just photos. She looks so cute and I would like to own many of these bikinis myself!
Then we get to approximately 110 pages where Nicole captions her pictures with "worst case scenarios." I get what she's going for here. A lot of us fat people can't help but jump to these worst case scenarios. What are people thinking about us? What are they saying? Are they laughing? Are they judging? Historically, we know they are. But 110 pages of her saying the mean thing first started to wear on me. I know what people are saying. I've heard it first and second and third hand.
I truly get what Nicole was going for. It's exhausting living in a fat body a lot of the time. It's exhausting even when people are trying to be nice by calling you #brave. I get it! I just don't know that I needed 60% of this book to say those things, even if it was said in a "funny" way.
Overall, I wish there had been either less or more substance to the book. Either just let me look at a hot lady in bikinis in peace, or give me a bit more than what we got. I thought it was very cool that Nicole and her friend took all the pictures themselves using their own props and stuff.
That said, there isn't a lot of book to this book. There's about 30 pages worth of Nicole talking about her journey towards feeling comfortable wearing bikinis (and swimsuits in general), and her unique voice really shines through there. Then there's about 20 pages of just photos. She looks so cute and I would like to own many of these bikinis myself!
Then we get to approximately 110 pages where Nicole captions her pictures with "worst case scenarios." I get what she's going for here. A lot of us fat people can't help but jump to these worst case scenarios. What are people thinking about us? What are they saying? Are they laughing? Are they judging? Historically, we know they are. But 110 pages of her saying the mean thing first started to wear on me. I know what people are saying. I've heard it first and second and third hand.
I truly get what Nicole was going for. It's exhausting living in a fat body a lot of the time. It's exhausting even when people are trying to be nice by calling you #brave. I get it! I just don't know that I needed 60% of this book to say those things, even if it was said in a "funny" way.
Overall, I wish there had been either less or more substance to the book. Either just let me look at a hot lady in bikinis in peace, or give me a bit more than what we got. I thought it was very cool that Nicole and her friend took all the pictures themselves using their own props and stuff.
March 31, 2020
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
This was so much fun! I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this but I love body positivity and I love Nailed It! [and always think all of Nicole's outfits on there are so cute] so I figured I would give it a shot. The first part of the book is some humorous commentary on how to find a bikini that is 'right for your body' [hint: if you can put it on and you like it then it's right for you!] along with some stories about Nicole's feelings about her body throughout her life, then most of the rest is pictures of her in tons and tons of bikinis with funny captions. I think it was a really cute and funny book and I'm jealous of all her awesome bikinis! I usually just wear bikini bottoms with a sports bra / crop top combo because I have not been able to find a bikini top that works for me since I passed a C cup, but I am showing my stomach so I am still #verybrave ;)
This was so much fun! I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this but I love body positivity and I love Nailed It! [and always think all of Nicole's outfits on there are so cute] so I figured I would give it a shot. The first part of the book is some humorous commentary on how to find a bikini that is 'right for your body' [hint: if you can put it on and you like it then it's right for you!] along with some stories about Nicole's feelings about her body throughout her life, then most of the rest is pictures of her in tons and tons of bikinis with funny captions. I think it was a really cute and funny book and I'm jealous of all her awesome bikinis! I usually just wear bikini bottoms with a sports bra / crop top combo because I have not been able to find a bikini top that works for me since I passed a C cup, but I am showing my stomach so I am still #verybrave ;)
May 7, 2020
A solid 3.5
I remember binge watching Girl Code years ago and Nailed It on Netflix is my not so guilty pleasure. Nicole is loud, funny, #veryfat and #verybrave .
I've never been supper comfortable in a bikini, but dammit, Nicole, now I want to buy a new bikini. Or 2.
#VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl's Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini is not a memoir. This is a book about learning to love your body and be ok about the jiggle, the extra skin, the imperfections. Nicole is not glorifying being unhealthy and she is all for staying healthy and active. She gives advice on how to choose the perfect bikini, how to deal with hate and list all the cool things you can do while wearing a bikini.
My only critique is that there's very little text and a lot of pictures.
Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I remember binge watching Girl Code years ago and Nailed It on Netflix is my not so guilty pleasure. Nicole is loud, funny, #veryfat and #verybrave .
I've never been supper comfortable in a bikini, but dammit, Nicole, now I want to buy a new bikini. Or 2.
#VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl's Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl in a Bikini is not a memoir. This is a book about learning to love your body and be ok about the jiggle, the extra skin, the imperfections. Nicole is not glorifying being unhealthy and she is all for staying healthy and active. She gives advice on how to choose the perfect bikini, how to deal with hate and list all the cool things you can do while wearing a bikini.
My only critique is that there's very little text and a lot of pictures.
Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2021
It might seem weird to rate a book with so many pictures and so little text as 5 stars, but the text there is is empowering AF, and so are the photos. About half of this book is Byer posing somewhere in LA, looking fat and fabulous in a kickass bikini (of which she owns MANY), with satirical captions that are worst case scenario, such as, “...what if [my] insanely huge, nasty body broke the fuck outta this Ferris wheel mid-wheeling? It would be devastating to all the families that thought the Santa Monica Pier was a cool, safe space for normal-size people.” I truly loved this because I respond really well to satire. In fact, I was having a poor body image day yesterday, and these pictures and captions totally snapped me out of it. I will be revisiting this book when I need a boost. Thank you, Nicole Byer!
June 22, 2022
Nicole Byer is such a blessing. We truly don't deserve her. Not only does she look gorgeous in all these photos, but the captions and the rest of the writing are also a mixture of quality humor and actual valid life advice. I wasn't even seeking out a pep talk at the moment but I sure as Hell got one. It's tough to be laugh-out-loud funny in print but for Byer it seems effortless. This is a quick read since the book is mostly pretty pictures, but it's absolutely worth picking up and I would even consider buying a nice copy for the coffee table. I have a bikini at home that I had mostly just bought for the purpose of costume photos but now I want to wear it out in public despite my huge surgery scar that I'm currently a little self-conscious about. Thank you, Nicole Byer!
November 5, 2021
Something between 3 and 4 stars, and here is why:
- Absolutely love the format of the book!
- The ideas behind it (AKA Body positivity)? GOLD!
- The bikini pictures: do I really need to comment on these? as if any other comment than "Amazing" is possible.
- My take from this book, in all honesty is: If you don't like something, either change it or accept, and please try be healthy, regardless of how it looks. And that's it. Clothes ( or bikinis) don't make you less fat, or less or more anything else, you are how you are, you might as well show it.
Do I truly 100% believe this inside? not yet. But, I am getting there, step by step
- The language is too casual for me to be in a book. the f*** and b*** every two pages is really not my thing. although, l'l water baby is totally something I said out loud.
- Something I didn't appreciate, is showing pictures of skinny girls in bikinis and say they are not brave, or not brave enough. sorry no :) Please be brave in your own body but do not judge others simply because you think they fit more into society standards and therefore makes it easy for them.
self body image is very complicated and it doesnt go one way.
And that is it! My girl Zineb gifted me this book after we spoke about how we see ourselves and how hard it is to accept how we look (when I see gorgeous other people, I don't look at myself the same way) and I cannot thank her enough for this. Cannot wait to discover book 2 of this lil journey she created for me :)
- Absolutely love the format of the book!
- The ideas behind it (AKA Body positivity)? GOLD!
- The bikini pictures: do I really need to comment on these? as if any other comment than "Amazing" is possible.
- My take from this book, in all honesty is: If you don't like something, either change it or accept, and please try be healthy, regardless of how it looks. And that's it. Clothes ( or bikinis) don't make you less fat, or less or more anything else, you are how you are, you might as well show it.
Do I truly 100% believe this inside? not yet. But, I am getting there, step by step
- The language is too casual for me to be in a book. the f*** and b*** every two pages is really not my thing. although, l'l water baby is totally something I said out loud.
- Something I didn't appreciate, is showing pictures of skinny girls in bikinis and say they are not brave, or not brave enough. sorry no :) Please be brave in your own body but do not judge others simply because you think they fit more into society standards and therefore makes it easy for them.
self body image is very complicated and it doesnt go one way.
And that is it! My girl Zineb gifted me this book after we spoke about how we see ourselves and how hard it is to accept how we look (when I see gorgeous other people, I don't look at myself the same way) and I cannot thank her enough for this. Cannot wait to discover book 2 of this lil journey she created for me :)
August 17, 2020
Oh, bless Nicole Byer.
I read this book in one sitting. That's not exactly an impressive feat, but I was not expecting to when I sat down for some reading time. You could browse this like a coffee table book, or you could devour it like I did. I recommend the latter. With a beer. And maybe a snack.
I cannot remember a time when I did not have body image issues. Compared to those around me, I was the "fat kid." For the most part, I lived with it. On bad days, I kicked boys in the shins. Even now, in my 30's, I still struggle despite the fact that I changed my habits and am not the size I used to be (full disclosure, I fluctuate between 135-140). By many people's standards, I am not fat. But I will always be that person who go mooed at in elementary school, the kid who got picked to the anchor for a tug-of-war because all the others expected my weight to get them the win, the one who felt I had to wear tankinis and one-piece suits because I had fat rolls where my friends were flat. I look in the mirror and I don't see someone who's a healthy weight. It's very hard for me not to see the fat.
So, I seek out self-help for those types of things. And way too many of them use the language that Nicole poo-poos in this book -- the "trying to be helpful/positive but ultimately shaming you" comments. What we really need, for those of us with body issues, is something like Nicole to be the best kind of honest - Look in the mirror and see that fat, and acknowledge that this is my body and accept what you see. Yeah, if you have the power to change it and want to, go right ahead! But before those changes happen, it doesn't mean you can't be happy. And if don't want to change, that's fine, too! Love yourself for what you are. Repeat after me: "I am a badass bitch. Everybody is a different body; the one I have now is amazing. If I want to change it, I can, but for now, this is it, and this is perfect."
Other things I highlighted (and I never use that function on my kindle)
-Your worth isn't dictated by whether someone's attracted to you. (I needed to hear that, and I need to repeat that to myself more often)
-Why not encourage kids to be the healthiest they can be in the body they choose to be in?
-[T]he world can be so cruel, so why not at least be nice to yourself?
I greatly understood her comments on finding a fitness that made you feel good. If you just work out for the weight loss, you're likely going to burn out. Nicole talks about her pole dancing, which is amazing. I know I don't have the muscle for that. I found Zumba (which Nicole mentions as a bad experience, oh well), and while I like that it helps me maintain my weight, it's also super fun! I love dancing. And it keeps my heart happy and healthy :).
The photo shoot she includes is amazing. I enjoyed going through her fun bikini adventures and applauded how she rocked them all, and looked incredibly happy doing so. She interjects with a couple stock photos of your standard bikini model, and I know she kind of meant it to just be a joke. However, it said so much more. I was busy taking in Nicole's pictures, and then I saw the woman that media and society wants me to be.. I thought, "Yeah, she's pretty, but why does her lack of body fat make her more beautiful than Nicole? How does it this picture not make me beautiful, too?" Well, it didn't. I was so proud of my brain, which doesn't help me out often.
Sure, I still have room for plenty of growth when it comes to looking at myself with pride and happiness. But Nicole finally provided a brand of self-help that promises results. For the record, I do own a couple bikinis. And when I go to the beach, now I'm not going to think twice about taking off that cover-up.
I read this book in one sitting. That's not exactly an impressive feat, but I was not expecting to when I sat down for some reading time. You could browse this like a coffee table book, or you could devour it like I did. I recommend the latter. With a beer. And maybe a snack.
I cannot remember a time when I did not have body image issues. Compared to those around me, I was the "fat kid." For the most part, I lived with it. On bad days, I kicked boys in the shins. Even now, in my 30's, I still struggle despite the fact that I changed my habits and am not the size I used to be (full disclosure, I fluctuate between 135-140). By many people's standards, I am not fat. But I will always be that person who go mooed at in elementary school, the kid who got picked to the anchor for a tug-of-war because all the others expected my weight to get them the win, the one who felt I had to wear tankinis and one-piece suits because I had fat rolls where my friends were flat. I look in the mirror and I don't see someone who's a healthy weight. It's very hard for me not to see the fat.
So, I seek out self-help for those types of things. And way too many of them use the language that Nicole poo-poos in this book -- the "trying to be helpful/positive but ultimately shaming you" comments. What we really need, for those of us with body issues, is something like Nicole to be the best kind of honest - Look in the mirror and see that fat, and acknowledge that this is my body and accept what you see. Yeah, if you have the power to change it and want to, go right ahead! But before those changes happen, it doesn't mean you can't be happy. And if don't want to change, that's fine, too! Love yourself for what you are. Repeat after me: "I am a badass bitch. Everybody is a different body; the one I have now is amazing. If I want to change it, I can, but for now, this is it, and this is perfect."
Other things I highlighted (and I never use that function on my kindle)
-Your worth isn't dictated by whether someone's attracted to you. (I needed to hear that, and I need to repeat that to myself more often)
-Why not encourage kids to be the healthiest they can be in the body they choose to be in?
-[T]he world can be so cruel, so why not at least be nice to yourself?
I greatly understood her comments on finding a fitness that made you feel good. If you just work out for the weight loss, you're likely going to burn out. Nicole talks about her pole dancing, which is amazing. I know I don't have the muscle for that. I found Zumba (which Nicole mentions as a bad experience, oh well), and while I like that it helps me maintain my weight, it's also super fun! I love dancing. And it keeps my heart happy and healthy :).
The photo shoot she includes is amazing. I enjoyed going through her fun bikini adventures and applauded how she rocked them all, and looked incredibly happy doing so. She interjects with a couple stock photos of your standard bikini model, and I know she kind of meant it to just be a joke. However, it said so much more. I was busy taking in Nicole's pictures, and then I saw the woman that media and society wants me to be.. I thought, "Yeah, she's pretty, but why does her lack of body fat make her more beautiful than Nicole? How does it this picture not make me beautiful, too?" Well, it didn't. I was so proud of my brain, which doesn't help me out often.
Sure, I still have room for plenty of growth when it comes to looking at myself with pride and happiness. But Nicole finally provided a brand of self-help that promises results. For the record, I do own a couple bikinis. And when I go to the beach, now I'm not going to think twice about taking off that cover-up.
May 5, 2020
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I just adore Nicole Byer (Nailed it is just amazing) and I love these books about body positivity. So I had to try out this book, and I can tell you I loved it and will be adding it to my collection when the book releases in May!
This book is about body positivity and then especially doing stuff in a bikini. Nicole can list around 199 things you can do in a bikini and encourages you to add some more. Some of the things include baking bacon (though she recommends not wearing a bikini for that :P), bench-pressing a baby, throwing bags of potatoes in the ocean, and more. I had such a big laugh at this one.
She even includes a guide on finding a special bikini for two occasions and there are plenty of tips on how to overcome and be brave! I loved reading those tips. I am not fat or overweight, but I got enough body issues that I drive my hubby crazy, so I was happy with those tips. I hope I don’t offend someone, given that this book is about fat + bravery and I am in the OK weight range. But yeah, body issues are real. God, I wish I could just love my body. 🙁
She also shares her journey on how she became #brave and #fierce (as I would call her). And then there are questions and tricks. I loved all of it! Especially her specific responses to insults. I am glad I am not the only one responding in that kind of way to people. 😛
And now we are at the photographs. There are A LOT of fun and great photographs of Nicole Byer trying out every and all bikini that she can. In many places. From public to private. Mix and matching, posing, and I loved how much fun she was having doing all this. Her bikinis are awesome! I had a laugh at the captions she put under the photographs (rip pig husband), though at some I was wondering if she was serious or not about what she said there.
All in all, this was a terrific book and I love that Nicole Byer’s voice came out loud and clear while I was reading this. It was as if she was sitting next to me. I would recommend this book to all. Fans of Nicole Byer, people who need more #bravery #bodypositivity.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I just adore Nicole Byer (Nailed it is just amazing) and I love these books about body positivity. So I had to try out this book, and I can tell you I loved it and will be adding it to my collection when the book releases in May!
This book is about body positivity and then especially doing stuff in a bikini. Nicole can list around 199 things you can do in a bikini and encourages you to add some more. Some of the things include baking bacon (though she recommends not wearing a bikini for that :P), bench-pressing a baby, throwing bags of potatoes in the ocean, and more. I had such a big laugh at this one.
She even includes a guide on finding a special bikini for two occasions and there are plenty of tips on how to overcome and be brave! I loved reading those tips. I am not fat or overweight, but I got enough body issues that I drive my hubby crazy, so I was happy with those tips. I hope I don’t offend someone, given that this book is about fat + bravery and I am in the OK weight range. But yeah, body issues are real. God, I wish I could just love my body. 🙁
She also shares her journey on how she became #brave and #fierce (as I would call her). And then there are questions and tricks. I loved all of it! Especially her specific responses to insults. I am glad I am not the only one responding in that kind of way to people. 😛
And now we are at the photographs. There are A LOT of fun and great photographs of Nicole Byer trying out every and all bikini that she can. In many places. From public to private. Mix and matching, posing, and I loved how much fun she was having doing all this. Her bikinis are awesome! I had a laugh at the captions she put under the photographs (rip pig husband), though at some I was wondering if she was serious or not about what she said there.
All in all, this was a terrific book and I love that Nicole Byer’s voice came out loud and clear while I was reading this. It was as if she was sitting next to me. I would recommend this book to all. Fans of Nicole Byer, people who need more #bravery #bodypositivity.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
March 19, 2020
I only discovered Nicole Byer when "Nailed it!" came on Netflix a couple years ago and I instantly fell in love with her, so when this morning I saw on NG that she had a book coming out next May I inmediately grabbed it without even checking out what it was all about.
#VeryFat VeryBrave is a photobook with tips and tricks to find the perfect bikini, how to handle haters, and overall to help other people to feel brave by embracing their body as it is. There are some funny quotes, some insight on how she came to accept herself as she is throughout her childhood, teens and adult life and tons of pictures or "visual representations of bravery" where she wears a impressive collection of bikinis in public spaces. They were sooo good and funny, specially once you find out that all of them were taken in 6 days.
I loved the message she's trying to get across on how to be more confident in yourself while being her usual funny self. But the most important thing I take out of this book is the next message, that I think we should always keep in our minds: "I've more or less just decided life is already really fucking hard and I don't want to spend it hating what I see in the mirror".
Thanks to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
#VeryFat VeryBrave is a photobook with tips and tricks to find the perfect bikini, how to handle haters, and overall to help other people to feel brave by embracing their body as it is. There are some funny quotes, some insight on how she came to accept herself as she is throughout her childhood, teens and adult life and tons of pictures or "visual representations of bravery" where she wears a impressive collection of bikinis in public spaces. They were sooo good and funny, specially once you find out that all of them were taken in 6 days.
I loved the message she's trying to get across on how to be more confident in yourself while being her usual funny self. But the most important thing I take out of this book is the next message, that I think we should always keep in our minds: "I've more or less just decided life is already really fucking hard and I don't want to spend it hating what I see in the mirror".
Thanks to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2020
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE was absolutely extraordinary. I already loved Nicole Byer but then she went out and wrote a book about wearing bikinis. There’s only a few chapters of text and the rest is filled with gorgeous pictures and funny quips about all the bad things that can happen in the world because a fat woman chose to expose some skin. My favorite- “A cute picture of me pretending to let a shark eat me, let’s get f***ing real: if I met a shark in the ocean, I would beat it to death first with my t** and then eat it raw while I floated on my back. #veryfat #verybrave”
After I recommend this to everyone I know, this lady might just get #brave and buy a bikini.
#VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE was absolutely extraordinary. I already loved Nicole Byer but then she went out and wrote a book about wearing bikinis. There’s only a few chapters of text and the rest is filled with gorgeous pictures and funny quips about all the bad things that can happen in the world because a fat woman chose to expose some skin. My favorite- “A cute picture of me pretending to let a shark eat me, let’s get f***ing real: if I met a shark in the ocean, I would beat it to death first with my t** and then eat it raw while I floated on my back. #veryfat #verybrave”
After I recommend this to everyone I know, this lady might just get #brave and buy a bikini.
April 19, 2020
Nicole Byers is the BOMB!! This book is amazing. I am so glad that Ms. Byers has allowed us into her life. Every picture was a work of art and what a lovely model. Photogenic to the omg degree. When I look upon Nicole Byers, I do see brave. What i do not see is fat. She is beautiful, gregarious, vivacious, and fearless, or should I say she has less fear. And those stealy comebacks are priceless. What a breath of fresh air from a lovely and humorous lady. Thank you!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Nicole Byers for this ARC in return for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Nicole Byers for this ARC in return for an honest review
August 3, 2020
I REALLY wanted to like this book because I love her and am so happy she got nominated for an Emmy. However, I could hardly call this a book. It’s basically the same joke for 168 pages most of which were pictures. With very few
Biographical details or content and not a lot of actual info and inspiration for how to become comfortable with your own body. Just do it I guess? No content that couldn’t have been covered in an Instagram account
Biographical details or content and not a lot of actual info and inspiration for how to become comfortable with your own body. Just do it I guess? No content that couldn’t have been covered in an Instagram account
May 21, 2020
The writing is hilarious and entertaining. I'd rate this higher if there was more of it, but a hefty chunk is bikini pictures. The captions are amusing, but I'd rather it have more meat to the actual book.
Side note... how bizarre is it that I know exactly where the Kansas strip club she mentions is? Lol
Side note... how bizarre is it that I know exactly where the Kansas strip club she mentions is? Lol
September 11, 2020
This book was a delight but I wish there was more writing to go with the pictures.
January 31, 2021
Yes it made me cry. Bite me.
August 1, 2020
This book is 20 percent memoir, five percent advice, and five thousand percent thirst trap (and if you don't think 99 percent of the photos aren't fucking smokin' who *are* you), and I absolutely love it. I've personally never worn a bikini (though I did do the mix and match tankini thing when I studied abroad) but I sure hope I can be as #brave as her one day. The brief bits about her life and the segment on "things you can do in a bikini" are perfectly her voice, and while I'd love more long-format stuff from her, I totally dug what's here. (Though it's always interesting to see what publishing will do for someone who already has a platform. Can you imagine them giving an oversized, full-color glossy paperback to a random fat person off the street who wanted to empower fat people of all sizes and genders to be hashtag-brave, no matter how hot they looked in a bikini?)
Also, damn me if 100 percent of this book isn't romance novel heroine fodder.
Also, damn me if 100 percent of this book isn't romance novel heroine fodder.
March 12, 2022
I am only familiar with Nicole Byer as hostess of Nailed It. I’m pretty sure she is a big reason I watch the show. She is adorable and hilarious. Even before knowing this book existed, her confidence was obvious to me. #Very Fat #Very Brave is a sort of guide to unapologetic self love-specifically while wearing a bikini.☺️It was fun and actually gave me a boost in my own confidence! I want to go bikini shopping!
February 9, 2021
I read this because I saw Nicole on Nailed It! and didn't realize she'd done so many other things.
I enjoyed the book, I appreciated what she said about just DOING THE THING. Also, her strip club story was hilarious.
I appreciated her good humor, no nonsense tone, and all of the bikinis!
I enjoyed the book, I appreciated what she said about just DOING THE THING. Also, her strip club story was hilarious.
I appreciated her good humor, no nonsense tone, and all of the bikinis!
April 8, 2021
This made me want to pull a bikini out, put it on, and walk around with my batwings and belly chub proudly on display.
January 23, 2024
If you love Nicole Byer and her humor, this is the book for you ❤️
September 20, 2022
Short, sweet, barely a book... think of it like a fun coffee table book type thing. Fun, quick read, glad I got it from the library.
Really hope Nicole Byer writes a proper memoir someday. I adore her.
Really hope Nicole Byer writes a proper memoir someday. I adore her.
April 24, 2020
Thank you Net Galley and Andrews McMell Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. Greatly appreciated!!
The cover of this book immediately caught my eye. I love Nicole Byer (host of Nailed It! and numerous entertaining podcasts), and I had no idea she wrote a book! What can’t she do!? Looking at the cover there was a straight up goddess staring back at me. I’ve been between a size 12 and 22 over the last few years and I have never shied away from wearing a two-piece bathing suit, but I understood why people do. The title cracked me up because I have been on the receiving end of quite a few good-for-yous, the almost equivalent of calling a fat girl “brave” with that unnecessary extra bounce of “I support you! See?” It made me feel like we’re sharing a private joke about how ridiculous people sound when they’re…trying to praise your fat body? I don’t know, but it felt special to me.
In this book Byer shares her struggles with self-love, body positivity, and “chub rub.” She encourages you to find an exercise that you love, that brings you joy and helps to make you understand and appreciate your body more. Wearing a bikini and exercising are for your enjoyment, no one else’s.
Byer provides a comprehensive and hilarious list of Activities You Can Do In a Bikini ranging from the mundane (golf, text your aunt) to the absurd (Get a commercial driver’s license) and includes a reference to one of the most underrated comedies of the past twenty five years, Eddie, starring Whoopi Goldberg as a limo driver who wins a contest to become head coach of the New York Knicks. Byer’s point is that you can do anything while wearing a bikini, her goal is to normalize it.
One of the biggest takeaways for me is Byer wants you to describe her as fat. Not chubby, plus size, or heavy. FAT. She wants people to acknowledge her right to exist in this world as she is while encouraging others to realize that about themselves. Fat people have just as much right to take up space as anyone else. So, why wait until you lose five or fifty pounds to wear that bathing suit that caught your eye?
If Byer’s prose doesn’t sway you, then the photos should. Byer shows off a significant number of her colorful, patterned 100+ bikinis each accompanied by a tongue in cheek caption to draw attention to the absurdity of criticizing a fat woman in a bikini. For example, she’s dressed as Lil’ Kim in the cover photo and refers to herself as BIG KIM in the caption. She uses some form of #brave in every caption and calls out tropes and slapstick scenarios that have been used to describe fat people in the past.
I loved this book. Byer spends more time coaching the reader into self-love than she does sharing her story. Her photos do not come off as self-indulgent, rather they provide the reader with a show and tell about appreciating their bodies, and themselves, where they are at in the moment.
The cover of this book immediately caught my eye. I love Nicole Byer (host of Nailed It! and numerous entertaining podcasts), and I had no idea she wrote a book! What can’t she do!? Looking at the cover there was a straight up goddess staring back at me. I’ve been between a size 12 and 22 over the last few years and I have never shied away from wearing a two-piece bathing suit, but I understood why people do. The title cracked me up because I have been on the receiving end of quite a few good-for-yous, the almost equivalent of calling a fat girl “brave” with that unnecessary extra bounce of “I support you! See?” It made me feel like we’re sharing a private joke about how ridiculous people sound when they’re…trying to praise your fat body? I don’t know, but it felt special to me.
In this book Byer shares her struggles with self-love, body positivity, and “chub rub.” She encourages you to find an exercise that you love, that brings you joy and helps to make you understand and appreciate your body more. Wearing a bikini and exercising are for your enjoyment, no one else’s.
Byer provides a comprehensive and hilarious list of Activities You Can Do In a Bikini ranging from the mundane (golf, text your aunt) to the absurd (Get a commercial driver’s license) and includes a reference to one of the most underrated comedies of the past twenty five years, Eddie, starring Whoopi Goldberg as a limo driver who wins a contest to become head coach of the New York Knicks. Byer’s point is that you can do anything while wearing a bikini, her goal is to normalize it.
One of the biggest takeaways for me is Byer wants you to describe her as fat. Not chubby, plus size, or heavy. FAT. She wants people to acknowledge her right to exist in this world as she is while encouraging others to realize that about themselves. Fat people have just as much right to take up space as anyone else. So, why wait until you lose five or fifty pounds to wear that bathing suit that caught your eye?
If Byer’s prose doesn’t sway you, then the photos should. Byer shows off a significant number of her colorful, patterned 100+ bikinis each accompanied by a tongue in cheek caption to draw attention to the absurdity of criticizing a fat woman in a bikini. For example, she’s dressed as Lil’ Kim in the cover photo and refers to herself as BIG KIM in the caption. She uses some form of #brave in every caption and calls out tropes and slapstick scenarios that have been used to describe fat people in the past.
I loved this book. Byer spends more time coaching the reader into self-love than she does sharing her story. Her photos do not come off as self-indulgent, rather they provide the reader with a show and tell about appreciating their bodies, and themselves, where they are at in the moment.
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