BookSneeze.com Book Review: “Redefining Beautiful: What God sees when God sees you” by Jenna Lucado

(This post is in lieu of my normal “Factual Friday”. Enjoy!)

Awhile back, I joined a book review program from Thomas Nelson that my best friend (and maid of honor), Holly, told me about. (The program recently changed names and is now BookSneeze.com.) She wrote a blog post about how you could get free books if you agreed to read the whole thing then post an approximately 200 word review on your blog and a commercial website (e.g. Amazon, Borders, etc.). I talked with her about it then dove right in, signing up and waiting for a book to catch my interest. Then, along came “Redefining Beautiful” by Jenna Lucado (with father, Max Lucado). It sounded like a good read so I signed up to read and review it.

That was back on September 15, 2009. Five months later, I have finally (!) finished the book and am ready to give my review. So continue, dear reader, for my first review.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Meghan

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Jenna Lucado’s book “Redefining Beautiful” wants us to define beautiful by how God sees us, not how we see ourselves. Jenna discusses throughout the book accessories (practical and attitudes) every girl can have that make her beautiful. She spends significant time discussing the most important person in a girl’s life for helping her feel beautiful: her father. Jenna points out that even if a girl’s father is absent, she still has a heavenly Father who thinks she is beautiful and is molding her constantly. She makes it a point to acknowledge all fathers are imperfect, but that God is the perfect father figure.

While the message is appropriate for all women, this book is geared towards the young adult demographic. Occasionally, it attempts to be too hip with its lingo, becoming comical. Personal stories are well utilized throughout. One of the unique features is journaling spaces. Jenna doesn’t leave her audience to ponder deeper questions, she gives them space to answer right then. I thought this was a great idea as it doesn’t leave the issue for later when you’re likely to forget.

Overall, a good read and good reminder that God thinks we’re beautiful, even when the world (or us!) tells us we aren’t. Highly recommended for middle school to college-aged young women.