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Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real
In this much-needed book, which is part self-help and part autobiography, award-winning correspondent Mariana Atencio digs into what makes each of us special and the ways in which we can become a force for good in a broken world.
As a bilingual correspondent for NBC News, Fusion TV, and Univision, Mariana holds a unique perspective—having immigrated from Venezuela to America as a young adult, having overcome challenges to graduate from Columbia University and eventually become a national news correspondent, and having seen firsthand the humanity that is ever so present in the midst of both adversity and opportunity.
Mariana's story is the powerful, inspiring story of life in the United States as an immigrant. Yet it is at its core a human story. It is all of our stories, and it is a call to every man, woman, and child to unlock the magic of their potential and begin to thrive.
The media screens of today perpetuate stereotypes, but what would happen if instead of comparing ourselves and falling short, we compared ourselves and celebrated our uniqueness? What would happen if we believed in our worth and embraced what makes us different? And what if we truly saw those around us as neighbors and not merely adversaries to our particular group or station?
The days of doubt and division must end. It starts with authenticity, persistence, and understanding what truly makes you special.
As a bilingual correspondent for NBC News, Fusion TV, and Univision, Mariana holds a unique perspective—having immigrated from Venezuela to America as a young adult, having overcome challenges to graduate from Columbia University and eventually become a national news correspondent, and having seen firsthand the humanity that is ever so present in the midst of both adversity and opportunity.
Mariana's story is the powerful, inspiring story of life in the United States as an immigrant. Yet it is at its core a human story. It is all of our stories, and it is a call to every man, woman, and child to unlock the magic of their potential and begin to thrive.
The media screens of today perpetuate stereotypes, but what would happen if instead of comparing ourselves and falling short, we compared ourselves and celebrated our uniqueness? What would happen if we believed in our worth and embraced what makes us different? And what if we truly saw those around us as neighbors and not merely adversaries to our particular group or station?
The days of doubt and division must end. It starts with authenticity, persistence, and understanding what truly makes you special.
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First published June 11, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 9, 2020
“Perfectamente tú es un libro autobiográfico. Trata de la vida de Mariana, una joven venezolana que tras la situación por la que aún se está viviendo en Venezuela y ese deseo de salir adelante y perseguir sus sueños, toma la difícil decisión de emigrar a los Estados Unidos.”
Sus buenas intenciones de motivar a las personas a seguir adelante y de perseguir lo que más anhelan, así como también el hecho de escribir su propia historia y compartirla al mundo es de admirar.
Pero... me parece una historia forzada, con descripciones innecesarias, y entre tantos párrafos de relleno. Aparte de que la historia fue narrada en primera persona en un lenguaje muy coloquial, y aún así no llegué a conectar 100% con ella.
Sus buenas intenciones de motivar a las personas a seguir adelante y de perseguir lo que más anhelan, así como también el hecho de escribir su propia historia y compartirla al mundo es de admirar.
Pero... me parece una historia forzada, con descripciones innecesarias, y entre tantos párrafos de relleno. Aparte de que la historia fue narrada en primera persona en un lenguaje muy coloquial, y aún así no llegué a conectar 100% con ella.
February 26, 2024
I actually bought this book as part of a research I am doing for one of my upcoming titles. I was not in for a motivational one and was almost sure I will read only the "Count to one hundred" chapter (*because of which, honestly, I needed the book in the first place).
Well, that chapter was not the only one I read. I gobbled up the whole thing in less than a week (*always sneaking in a few pages a day), and in several spots it had me moved to tears. Because it's authentic and real, even scary and hard at times. I saw so much of myself in the story - not that I am a Latina or a journalist, just the drive for success, the obstacles, and the dreams.
I will probably read this again, as it is, to-date, one of the best motivational biographies (* and I have a soft spot for those) I have ever read.
Well, that chapter was not the only one I read. I gobbled up the whole thing in less than a week (*always sneaking in a few pages a day), and in several spots it had me moved to tears. Because it's authentic and real, even scary and hard at times. I saw so much of myself in the story - not that I am a Latina or a journalist, just the drive for success, the obstacles, and the dreams.
I will probably read this again, as it is, to-date, one of the best motivational biographies (* and I have a soft spot for those) I have ever read.
January 27, 2021
To start off, I am a fan of Mariana. I have followed her career, I love her bright personality, I have seen her speak. I finally downloaded this book on Audible and was excited to learn more about her history, etc. There were a few golden nuggets, words of wisdom, I picked out - and I enjoyed the overall message of being "perfectly you." However, there were many times throughout the book that I was distracted and surprised by Mariana's privilege and "confidence." Her story is certainly not the common story for Latinx families (or most American born families) (ex. her parents owned an apartment in NYC as a second home....). I wish she had acknowledged this more than she did. However, I am glad that she is using her pedestal and voice to do great things.
June 28, 2020
Thank you best friend, Joss Glenn, for lending me your copy with a strong recommendation! You know I don't like nonfiction, and yet if you did not persist, I would never have read this gem!
Captain Holt from "Brooklyn-99" said it best: "[Journalists] are the only real rock stars we have left."
Mariana Atencio is a wonder woman like so many female journalists before and after her. She is an award-winning female Latinx journalist, wife, sister, daughter, influencer, speaker...but most importantly herself! Her journey from Venezuela to America was so inspiring because she empowers us to be authentically ourselves. There is also such a strong family presence throughout the novel that warmed my heart.
I am not a big nonfiction reader, as many people might know, but I loved how easy it was to read the book as if it were fiction. Her voice rings true, and I was just rooting for her, even though I know she will become (and IS) successful!
Each chapter is like a mini-story, but they all connect and mention happenings from previous chapters. At first, I was thrown off that the timeline wasn't linear in the book, she jumps around years, but I think how it is laid out is with a lot of thought and really created a beautiful journey through and through.
A lot of times autobiographies can feel braggy, Perfectly You was never that AND it's also part self-help like the summary on GR says. Both made it very well written because journalist are only one step away from being authors all the time. She sounded so genuine and humble and it didn't make me think "Wow, I'm this age and what have I accomplished?" It was more like, "Yeah! I need to embrace and celebrate my own journey! Embrace all of what makes me ME!"
I love the little messages and how she admits to being lucky in certain circumstances. My favorite has to be how she talks about meeting different female journalists (white and WOC) how they have to juggle different hats and how that is a strength. There is a lot of discussion on being Latinx, her gender, and being a journalist overall, which makes it relatable to anyone, not just WOC.
Now I'm going to go watch her TedTalks and feel inspired again:
"What Makes You Special?"
"Rethinking Storytelling to Help People Care"
Captain Holt from "Brooklyn-99" said it best: "[Journalists] are the only real rock stars we have left."
Mariana Atencio is a wonder woman like so many female journalists before and after her. She is an award-winning female Latinx journalist, wife, sister, daughter, influencer, speaker...but most importantly herself! Her journey from Venezuela to America was so inspiring because she empowers us to be authentically ourselves. There is also such a strong family presence throughout the novel that warmed my heart.
I am not a big nonfiction reader, as many people might know, but I loved how easy it was to read the book as if it were fiction. Her voice rings true, and I was just rooting for her, even though I know she will become (and IS) successful!
Each chapter is like a mini-story, but they all connect and mention happenings from previous chapters. At first, I was thrown off that the timeline wasn't linear in the book, she jumps around years, but I think how it is laid out is with a lot of thought and really created a beautiful journey through and through.
A lot of times autobiographies can feel braggy, Perfectly You was never that AND it's also part self-help like the summary on GR says. Both made it very well written because journalist are only one step away from being authors all the time. She sounded so genuine and humble and it didn't make me think "Wow, I'm this age and what have I accomplished?" It was more like, "Yeah! I need to embrace and celebrate my own journey! Embrace all of what makes me ME!"
I love the little messages and how she admits to being lucky in certain circumstances. My favorite has to be how she talks about meeting different female journalists (white and WOC) how they have to juggle different hats and how that is a strength. There is a lot of discussion on being Latinx, her gender, and being a journalist overall, which makes it relatable to anyone, not just WOC.
Now I'm going to go watch her TedTalks and feel inspired again:
"What Makes You Special?"
"Rethinking Storytelling to Help People Care"
March 4, 2020
Perfectly You by Mariana Atencio is a non-fiction book about a Venezuelan woman who came to the United States to become a journalist. It's truly a remarkable story about discrimination and the challenges that non-white people have in the United States especially when they are from another country. Something I liked about the book was her attention to detail on her experiences. She tried to immerse the reader in what she experienced in her life. Whether that be the time she got mugged on a hill in Venezuela or when she was told by an employer to make sure her dress looked less Latino. Also, I liked how she structured/paced the book. She sometimes did not have the in a linear timeline which I thought separated it from a traditional book. She would sometimes jump from experience to experience that was years apart and forward and back in time. Finally, I liked how she introduced a wide variety of experiences rather than ones that just went along with the main purpose of the book. In one part of the book, she talks about how she was in New York when 9/11 occurred. She didn't have to put that in there, but she did and I think it really brings out more aspects of her life. It helps us as readers get to know who she is. All in all I would highly recommend this book.
January 24, 2021
I enjoyed the cultural flavor of this book and aspects of the main message—which is to make an impact on the world by being yourself. Being a Christian, a disagree and agree with aspects of this message and book. I think Mariana has a very interesting story and my favorite part was reading about her early career and what got her to where she is today.
I did feel like much of the book was very political—which is not necessarily one of my passions. It seems as if the lessons presented in the book are mainly to encourage people to influence the world through taking political stances—which is what Mariana does.
I do appreciate that Mariana mentioned several conservative voters she had met through her career who were very kind to her. She wrote about them in a positive light, even though they had differences of political opinion. That was soooo refreshing to read in this polarized world and I long to se me more of that!
I did feel like the book was a little fragmented and the main message a little too one-dimensional for an entire book. Especially the last three chapters of the book that started to stray more from the chronological order of Mariana’s life seemed very pieced together.
I did feel like much of the book was very political—which is not necessarily one of my passions. It seems as if the lessons presented in the book are mainly to encourage people to influence the world through taking political stances—which is what Mariana does.
I do appreciate that Mariana mentioned several conservative voters she had met through her career who were very kind to her. She wrote about them in a positive light, even though they had differences of political opinion. That was soooo refreshing to read in this polarized world and I long to se me more of that!
I did feel like the book was a little fragmented and the main message a little too one-dimensional for an entire book. Especially the last three chapters of the book that started to stray more from the chronological order of Mariana’s life seemed very pieced together.
February 27, 2024
"Perfectamente tú" de Mariana Atencio es un libro inspirador y motivador que nos invita a abrazar nuestra autenticidad y a perseguir nuestros sueños sin miedo. A través de sus propias experiencias, la autora nos enseña a superar los obstáculos y las expectativas de la sociedad para encontrar nuestra verdadera voz y propósito en la vida.
El libro destaca la importancia de aceptarnos tal como somos y de valorar nuestra diversidad como una fortaleza. Mariana nos anima a confiar en nuestras habilidades y a no dejar que el miedo nos detenga en la búsqueda de nuestros sueños. Además, nos recuerda la importancia de mantener una mentalidad positiva y de rodearnos de personas que nos impulsen hacia adelante.
A lo largo de las páginas, Mariana comparte historias de personas que han superado adversidades y han logrado alcanzar el éxito, demostrando que todos tenemos el potencial de hacerlo. También nos brinda consejos prácticos para desarrollar nuestra confianza, encontrar nuestro propósito y crear un impacto positivo en el mundo.
“Perfectamente tú" es una invitación a valorarnos a nosotros mismos y a creer en nuestro potencial para lograr grandes cosas.
El libro destaca la importancia de aceptarnos tal como somos y de valorar nuestra diversidad como una fortaleza. Mariana nos anima a confiar en nuestras habilidades y a no dejar que el miedo nos detenga en la búsqueda de nuestros sueños. Además, nos recuerda la importancia de mantener una mentalidad positiva y de rodearnos de personas que nos impulsen hacia adelante.
A lo largo de las páginas, Mariana comparte historias de personas que han superado adversidades y han logrado alcanzar el éxito, demostrando que todos tenemos el potencial de hacerlo. También nos brinda consejos prácticos para desarrollar nuestra confianza, encontrar nuestro propósito y crear un impacto positivo en el mundo.
“Perfectamente tú" es una invitación a valorarnos a nosotros mismos y a creer en nuestro potencial para lograr grandes cosas.
March 6, 2021
A fast, easy read. Would have been even more awesome when I was 25 at a point in my life where ambition and assertiveness were relevant. Or if I were someone who liked self-help books. But it’s really more an autobiography with a self-help spin, or maybe it’s more encouragement than self-help. Anyway, I really enjoyed her story. A good book for gifts, especially but not exclusively for younger people. Simple storytelling but feels heartfelt.
As a small note, I was so impressed with how kind Maria Elena Salinas was to Mariana. She’d have done so much for Mariana even if it was just their first two encounters & advice (very constructive advice, so helpful). But she agreed to mentor her too. So kind. And remember, friends, you don’t get what you don’t ask for. Mariana asked!
As a small note, I was so impressed with how kind Maria Elena Salinas was to Mariana. She’d have done so much for Mariana even if it was just their first two encounters & advice (very constructive advice, so helpful). But she agreed to mentor her too. So kind. And remember, friends, you don’t get what you don’t ask for. Mariana asked!
June 15, 2019
I have seen this author on MSNBC and she has always presented herself well in front of the camera. This book offered insight into those difficult moments in her life that us viewers never see or know about. I admire her honesty in writing this book because so many of us women suffer from insecurity and it is nice knowing someone who seems to have it all also feels this way at times. Along with telling the reader about her struggles with insecurity, she offers advice that assisted her. This book felt like a good friend was talking to me, as it was written in such a relatable manner.
June 29, 2020
This was more of a memoir/autobiography than a self help book. I was expecting more self help from the reviews and title. It was a bit of a slower read for me, but there are passages in here that I couldn’t help but highlight and focus on. There are some phrases in here that are coming at the perfect time in my life and I couldn’t be more thankful to have read them. Thank you Mariana for sharing your beautiful story.
August 3, 2021
I absolutely adore Mariana Atencio. She is such a unique Latin women who has broken so many stereotypes. In the book Mariana tells her story without total transparency, in a clear and honest voice. You can actually hear Mariana's voice in reading this book. So many great life lessons from someone so young. You will enjoy this read!
October 16, 2019
You never really think what a person especially a famous person has gone through in their lives and this book was a great way of letting people know that we are all human and everyone has a story to tell and a future to be hopeful for.
November 20, 2019
Empowering! I love her honesty and her personality shines through the pages I feel like I know her now. Her life experiences on and off the job are inspiring. If you know what you want to do with your life. Go out there and do it. This is the book young Latinas/young adults need to read.
December 19, 2019
This was a really quick and good read! I enjoyed learning about her history and everything she has lived through. I have friends from Venezuela and it really is sad to learn how bad the country has turned.
March 15, 2023
I didn't love this book but I think that some of the lessons she gave in this book are worthwhile. I do think that she didn't touch upon how her privilege helped her, but it's clear that she also worked her butt off to get farther than she was.
April 10, 2024
We read this for my Hispanic colleague resource group at work and loved it. Very easy read with good discussion topics. The only issue we had was that some of her stories don’t reflect the lives of a majority of people. (Not growing up privileged)
September 18, 2024
While the author has valid and interesting observations and advice, I found the stories overly long. Obviously, she has been successful in her career and comes across as someone with ideals and authenticity. It seemed to me as if the book was an autobiography with self-help advice.
May 16, 2020
Es un libro inspirador. La narrativa es muy fluida, ya que viene de una persona real hablando a personas reales. Lo recomiendo es muy entretenido.
August 13, 2020
Lovely book!
A must for everyone, it’s very real and written beautifully.
Lots of things to take/learn from it.
A must for everyone, it’s very real and written beautifully.
Lots of things to take/learn from it.
July 4, 2022
She is very likeable. By the end of the book you will be cheering for Marianna Atencio, the immigrant and the reporter,
January 1, 2023
I loved this book! Very entertaining, inspirational and thought provoking.
November 21, 2024
I had to read this book for work and eh, it’s okay. Her story has some interesting pockets. However, it felt repetitive and was clearly written by a ghostwriter, which made it feel impersonal.
November 27, 2019
Empowering Book!
Anyone who is still figuring out what they want to do in life, who they are or where they belong to, this book is for you. Nothing better than true stories and stories that relate to you. I really enjoyed this book and all of the stories!
Anyone who is still figuring out what they want to do in life, who they are or where they belong to, this book is for you. Nothing better than true stories and stories that relate to you. I really enjoyed this book and all of the stories!
August 1, 2019
Muy interesante
January 10, 2020
Amazing book !!
May 23, 2019
In Perfectly You, Mariana Atencio invites the reader into a conversation and talks with them as a friend. Mariana is vulnerable and honest about herself, her struggles, and what she's learned about how to be perfectly herself. This book is inspirational not only because Mariana has learned to successfully accept and love herself as she is, but also because she includes sections at the end of each chapter that are, in essence, helpful tips for being "perfectly you". This book will appeal to teens and adults, as Mariana celebrates the uniqueness and humanity in all of us. *I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews