Book Review
Why saying “no” to all you thought you ever wanted might be your best decision yet
More than Enough by Elaine Welteroth
To celebrate black history month, I am highlighting some books by black authors as well as making a deliberate effort to make sure that my library is made up of a diverse set of books. The process of deciding on a book to read is oftentimes very random. On some days I intentionally search out books by certain authors, genres or topics. On other days, I stumble on a good book. Today is the latter.
About the Author
Because this is an autobiography of sorts, I think it is important to start with who the author is. At 29, she became the youngest and first black editor in chief of TeenVogue. She is a multi-hyphenate, wearing the caps of author, project runway judge and more.
About the book; this review contains no spoilers… pinky promise I came across Elaine’s book when looking through Masterclass. A subscription I paid for but hardly used. On this faithful day I perused the aisles for something to watch. Netflix had no new shows of interest and I needed to occupy my mind. I was also in a space where I was questioning everything especially my role in my current position and company I worked at. I had imagined life to be very different from my reality. You know what they say, humans make plans and God laughs.
Humans make plans and God laughs
The title of her Masterclass is — Design your Career. I thought who was this female with hair larger than life and what did she have to teach me about careers. She also looked quite young, usually the people who tend to dish out career advice were older. I thought (Maybe it’s that black don't crack type vibe), was I ever wrong! A quick google search revealed that she was well… a pretty big deal.
I judged this book by the introduction The introduction started with a story of how she grew up watching Oprah, I’m not going to lie, I rolled my eyes in that “oh not again” type way, you know the way you roll your eyes when you’ve heard a story repeated over and over again. Oprah raised a whole generation and then some, we get it! No offense to Oprah, If you ever read this — I love you! but this narrative had already been told timelessly.
Nevertheless I zeroed in on this book and continued. I expected this book to be one of those feel good books with all ending well etc etc. Maybe I was in a bad mood. Maybe I refused to extend the benefit of the doubt for whatever reason that is still unclear to me but I kept on reading and boy was it a rollercoaster.
In the end She got the job at teen vogue and she lived happily ever after…wrong!! I thought this was the end, this is where you close out, where the applause is loudest. This is where you end the story. I could not have been so wrong. She goes on the chronicle the hardships that come with being the first. The pieces of glass that scratch you as you break the glass ceiling.
In the end — the actual end of the book, it didn’t feel like the end. It felt like a Selah moment. One you pause and reflect. I especially loved the mini interview session with her Mum and Dad (I listened to the audiobook). The fact that they shared their surprises in the book and what new knowledge about her was gleaned. I also loved their views as an interracial couple and their parenting style raising biracial children. The book also offers great advice for other areas of life like dating and friendships.
I recommend this book for anyone who might be at crossroads in their career. I also recommend her Masterclass — Yes, I went back and watched it after reading her book. A lot of lessons can be learnt from the authors come up, how she took risks, spoke her truth and held her ground at various points. The importance of a solid network and finding peace in the pivot. Reading this book felt like listening to a big sister I never had tell of her many exploits in the corporate world while inviting me to spread my wings. I also like how the book was peppered with quotes, some of my favorite include;
When the world wants you to shrink — Expand
- Take it as far as you can and when the time comes jump and by then, be ready to fly. - ON Dating — Plant the most promising seeds, water them all and when you find one that gives you fruit you can eat everyday, give a little more love to it and start pruning the rest - Sometimes just being yourself is the radical act — your authenticity is your activism - In order to change the stories, you must change the story tellers - Women aren’t taught to get comfortable with making people uncomfortable - The higher up we get the more apologies we are expected to make for our power - When the music changes — so must your dance - No matter how far a person can go — the horizon is still way above you — Zora Neale Hurston
Have you read More than enough?
What is your biggest takeaway from the book?
