He Numbered the Pores on My Face: Hottie Lists, Clogged Pores, Eating Disorders, and Freedom from It All

by Scarlet Hiltibidal

When Scarlet Hiltibidal was a teenager, plastic butterfly clips were all the rage. She couldn’t understand why they didn’t look the same in her “frizzy, bulbous hair” as they did on the blonde whose mom was a professional hair stylist. Back then, she would have sanctioned the destruction of scores of actual butterflies just to own the label "pretty butterfly clips girl." And so it goes for many girls like Scarlet who strive for self-worth yet struggle to find it. 

He Numbered the Pores on My Face is for teens who long for beauty, love, and rest. Any labels you long for today might as well be “looks good in butterfly clips” if you are not rooted in who Jesus says you are, because any self­-centered identity is going to leave you in the same place: unfulfilled and unhappy. Girls will relate to Scarlet’s stories as she discusses hottie lists, eating disorders, and haphazard beauty in a way that is both humorous and thought provoking. Through it all, she describes how she found peace by learning to see life not through a mirror but through a Savior who shapes who we were, who we are, and who we will be. 

 

Genres: Christian

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2019

About the author

Scarlet Hiltibidal is the author of Afraid of All the Things and He Numbered the Pores on My Face. She also writes a regular column for ParentLife Magazine and enjoys speaking to women around the country about the freedom and rest available in Jesus. Scarlet lives in Middle Tennessee, where she loves sign language with her daughters, nachos by herself, writing for her friends, and learning how to raise ducks with her husband for no reason other than cuteness.

Reviews

[Brandon Hiltibidal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried like a high school girl reading this book. I'm not a high school girl.

[Erin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had this book when I was in middle and high school. :) Yet still, though now in my late 20s, I laughed out loud at Scarlet’s stories and nodded my head at the timeless and life-changing truths she shared. A great book for middle and high school girls ... or anyone, really!

[Chris MacLeavy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarely is the sequel as good as the first installment. While this book isn’t intended to be a sequel to her first, Scarlet Hiltibidal has knocked it out of the proverbial park. Again. In my review of her first book, I praised the conversational tone in which Hiltibidal writes. It makes me feel like she’s not teaching someone who she considers to be less than herself, but she makes me feel more like she’s a loving friend; reaching out with her experiences to encourage me to take the right path. Her ability to laugh—or more often, lament—at the exploits of her younger self is perhaps her greatest strength. It takes humility to confess struggles and ongoing patterns of sin (even past ones), and this is simultaneously the exact point that the book is making: bringing our sin into the light actually frees us.
As Hiltibidal shares her journey of striving to be loved in unhealthy ways, you truly feel like you’re hearing from someone who knows exactly how dangerous striving for love and acceptance in all the wrong places can be. But solidarity is only part of what Hiltibidal brings to all those who have suffered from eating disorders, unhealthy relationships, or any other kind of self-destructive people-pleasing. What Hiltibidal presents—and what is clearly her prayer behind writing the book—is a message of gospel hope that declares “only Jesus gets to tell you who you are, because you are his. He made you. He fought for you. He won.”
In He Numbered the Pores on My Face, Scarlet Hiltibidal writes of how she is thankful to God, who rescued her from the never-satisfying, always-heartbreaking pursuit of finding her worth in looks, accomplishments, and the opinions of people. Surely there is something in this book for all of us, and everything about Scarlet’s writing is wonderful. Buy her book, then buy another one and give it away.

[Patricia Timbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were asked to find a Christian book for today’s teenaged girls, a book that addresses such topics as “hottie” lists, clogged pores, and eating disorders, then here’s a new nonfiction novel that meets more than that list, and much more. It’s titled, HE NUMBERED THE PORES ON MY FACE, by author Scarlet Hiltibidal.

In less than 200 pages, three Sections, and 10 real-life-trama-titled chapters, anything that anyone might imagine that could happen to a teenage girl growing up in busy Burbank, California, happened to Scarlet. She detailedly describes how the puberty years brought about embarrassment and insecurities, and passed over into her adult years. What seemed funny to others during some of those unfair and cruel times, ultimately lead her to depend on the only One who could turn those “stones” into “bread”: Jesus Christ. Although this diaried story reveals and exposes many of her faults, weaknesses, and scary disorders, the author excels in pointing to the Cross of Calvary for answers and help, no matter what teenagers may encounter.

This book could work as a group devotional study for teenage girls. The scriptures listed at the chapters’ ends, provide the basis for meaningful discussions about what God’s Word says regarding answers to everyday problems.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

So funny, but more importantly each chapter pointed me to Jesus! He is where our true identity lies!

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

[Tonya Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the cover to the very last page, author Scarlet Hiltibidal pairs humor, honesty and the truth of who we are in Christ in such a pleasant and wonderfully witty way. She is unabashedly transparent, which is needed when addressing the all-too-real issues girls (and for that matter, women of all ages) deal with. Mrs. Hiltibidal writes with an easily readable style infused with solidity of Biblical truth. I have highlighted, giggled, cried and taken notes in the margin and been blessed in my journey through this book. I am walking away a little taller, on my knees, because of her reminder of who I am in Jesus Christ. He Numbered the Pores on My Face would be a valuable treasure to have on any bookshelf, especially if it is in the home of a young girl. It would be a treasure for any woman to read and keep in her collection to pass along. If we are fortunate, we have the opportunity to read a book that challenges and inspires us. Mrs. Scarlet Hilitbidel is now among my favorite writers because of her fantastic work, He Numbered the Pores on My Face. It would be a treasure for any woman to read and keep in her collection to pass along. And, it is my privilege to showcase such a treasure here on my blog. Happy Reading to all – Moms, daughters, sisters and girls of all ages (even Dads can experience the blessing too.)

[kb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pleasant surprise! Funny and easy to relate to anecdotes about the author's teenage years, coupled with personal experiences of how it is to replace insecurity and irrational desires with acceptance through faith. Some parts, however, can be a little aggressive, but if reader is Christian, nothing would really be out of place.



Here are all the books I read in 2019! :)

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book not only has funny stories and great commentary, but it is also a declaration of faith. And it shows that no matter what, God always loves us, even with knowing our deepest, darkest secrets.

[Jennifer Hottinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed He Numbered the Pores on My Face and would recommend teen girls and up read this as it is a reminder that God made us perfect in His eyes. We are unique and that makes each of us special!

[Chris MacLeavy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarely is the sequel as good as the first installment. While this book isn’t intended to be a sequel to her first, Scarlet Hiltibidal has knocked it out of the proverbial park. Again. In my review of her first book, I praised the conversational tone in which Hiltibidal writes. It makes me feel like she’s not teaching someone who she considers to be less than herself, but she makes me feel more like she’s a loving friend; reaching out with her experiences to encourage me to take the right path. Her ability to laugh—or more often, lament—at the exploits of her younger self is perhaps her greatest strength. It takes humility to confess struggles and ongoing patterns of sin (even past ones), and this is simultaneously the exact point that the book is making: bringing our sin into the light actually frees us.
As Hiltibidal shares her journey of striving to be loved in unhealthy ways, you truly feel like you’re hearing from someone who knows exactly how dangerous striving for love and acceptance in all the wrong places can be. But solidarity is only part of what Hiltibidal brings to all those who have suffered from eating disorders, unhealthy relationships, or any other kind of self-destructive people-pleasing. What Hiltibidal presents—and what is clearly her prayer behind writing the book—is a message of gospel hope that declares “only Jesus gets to tell you who you are, because you are his. He made you. He fought for you. He won.”
In He Numbered the Pores on My Face, Scarlet Hiltibidal writes of how she is thankful to God, who rescued her from the never-satisfying, always-heartbreaking pursuit of finding her worth in looks, accomplishments, and the opinions of people. Surely there is something in this book for all of us, and everything about Scarlet’s writing is wonderful. Buy her book, then buy another one and give it away.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely accessible for teenage girls and relatable on a few levels. Points to key issues dealing with identity in Christ and finding satisfaction in the Gospel. These concepts aren’t explored on a deep theological level; so don’t expect this book to dig super deep into the Word. BUT as something to get girls thinking about why they do the things they do and desire what they desire, it’s a great jumping off point.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and pleasant read. I found the content relatable, especially as I often found myself not really able to pull of the trends in school and not really understanding why! I found some parts to be a bit much in terms of their religiosity, but if readers are Christian they would likely not find it anything out of the norm. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this eARC.

[Shannon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this copy in exchange for review.

*DNF'd at page 50

I unfortunately DNF'd this book at page 50.

This book just wasn't for me. I initially thought it was going to be a fun quick read, but with the religious elements thrown in it just read so slow for me. I am not very religious at all so the constant referring to religious themes just couldn't connect with me.
The main character voice read as too young for me. I felt too distanced from the story of the novel to actually enjoy it and so couldn't continue with it.

But maybe this book will be a great read for religious teens

[Khloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

If me reading the whole thing in a day doesn’t say a lot, idk what will!

This book brought me closer to God and farther away from my insecurities. It taught me that the flaws within/out of me will remain with me, but the shame I feel from it doesn’t have to be.

[lilly orta · Rating 5 out of 5]

a perfect read for young ladies. scarlets’s stories are so funny and so relatable, reminding us that jesus loves and accepts even the most imperfect and silly girls.
very raw, very honest, and very full of the hope and security to be found in an identity in jesus.

[Mlawler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for young teens. A similar book existed in my teens. Very thankful for Hiltibidal for writing this book for today’s teenage girls!

[Tylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[C.G.Koens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one with two of my girls (12 and 13), and it was...okay. I preferred her first book, but this had some good reminders for them in it too.

[Enas Wilker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of cheesy (well a lot) but has some very good truths and messages. Recommend for young girls to read

[Rachel Stuckey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and connects the practical everyday to the theology of Jesus.