9 Books In February 2024!
My favorite and most inspiring book that I’ve read this month has been Gracie Gold’s memoir, Outofshapeworthlessloser. This book was so inspiring to me because of how raw and blatantly honest Gold was throughout the entire book. Most athletes and celebrity memoirs sometimes feel too surface level, but this is the deepest book I’ve read and it’s because of her authenticity I appreciated, valued, and loved it the most. I wasn’t initially a fan of the title when I first picked it up, but once you read it you will understand why she chose the title that she did. She has had to overcome so many personal demons and self sabotage that has made her feel this way. She doesn’t hold back talking about heavy subjects including her parent’s complicated relationship, her eating disorder, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and sexual assault. Gold’s life has been far from easy and so many people have been quick to judge her as this stuck up ice princess, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. She is an ordinary person with real struggles like everyone else and has also achieved great success as an Olympian and two time National Champion. I loved watching her skate at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi and I think she is an excellent role model for those struggling with mental health issues.
Lolo Jones book, Over It was also inspiring and there were some parallels between her and Gracie Gold’s story. They are both no strangers to 4th place at the Olympics. Both memoirs acknowledged the isolating lonely feeling of how hard it is to come in 4th place at the biggest stage of your life. Lolo Jones goes more in depth about it as she’s been to several Olympics falling shy of reaching the podium. Nonetheless winning isn’t everything and Jones makes some really great points about having a good perspective and outlook on a sport, rather than focusing on results and medals.