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You Are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
'A powerful book on how to live boldly and love your fabulous self' Fearne Cotton
We are made to think that what makes us human - our flaws, failures, and heartaches - are things to keep hush-hush. Being unapologetically imperfect is seen as something we should be embarrassed by. But what I've learned is that we all experience the same insecurities. We just aren't talking about it. Well, I'm here to break the silence.
For starters, I have way too many nipple hairs. I prefer the company of my pets to other people. And repeatedly I question Am I normal? I was born with brittle bone condition and so far, I've broken my bones 200 times. But most of the hurdles I face don't come from my disability, they come from things we all experience.
In this book, I will share the lessons I have learned and why you should embrace your uniqueness as what makes you fabulous. We spend a lot of time living by others' expectations and it's only when you stop, that you start saying yes to life. Irrespective of who you are and the obstacles you might face, you can do whatever you want. Be free and unapologetically you.
We are made to think that what makes us human - our flaws, failures, and heartaches - are things to keep hush-hush. Being unapologetically imperfect is seen as something we should be embarrassed by. But what I've learned is that we all experience the same insecurities. We just aren't talking about it. Well, I'm here to break the silence.
For starters, I have way too many nipple hairs. I prefer the company of my pets to other people. And repeatedly I question Am I normal? I was born with brittle bone condition and so far, I've broken my bones 200 times. But most of the hurdles I face don't come from my disability, they come from things we all experience.
In this book, I will share the lessons I have learned and why you should embrace your uniqueness as what makes you fabulous. We spend a lot of time living by others' expectations and it's only when you stop, that you start saying yes to life. Irrespective of who you are and the obstacles you might face, you can do whatever you want. Be free and unapologetically you.
- GenresDisabilityNonfiction
288 pages, Paperback
Published February 2, 2023
5 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 14, 2023
This audiobook (read by Sam herself) was soo good
October 2, 2022
This book touched me in ways I wasn't prepared for. It's not only an empowering and affirming read - it contains honest and frank discussions about topics that are often left unspoken even by the broader disability community: namely dating, intimacy, and self-worth in a world that's still hinged on ableism and prejudice. Combine all of that with all of Samatha's wit and personality and you have a 10/10 read!
October 26, 2025
I LOVED this book so much!
It resonated with me so much on nearly all the topics it discussed. I cried when Sam talked about her spinal operation as it brought up a lot of memories of my own and I was really grateful for the way she spoke about dating as a disabled woman. It validated a lot of my own feelings around dating which able bodied people just can’t understand.
There was a part at the beginning which I questioned - Sam said she wouldn’t get rid of her disability and believed a lot of other disabled people wouldn’t either. Yes, I’m proud of how being disabled makes up part of my identity but if you told me there was a cure for SMA and I could take it tomorrow, would I want it? Abso-fucking-lutely! We live in an ableist world that makes life difficult on a daily basis. Besides that, often medical interventions aren’t nice and it isn’t always nice how your condition can progress and change your life so drastically. I don’t want anyone to read this and internalise the narrative that being disabled is awful, most of the time it’s not and I have a great life, but there are aspects that are shit. I guess all I’m saying is I think it’s okay to say yes you’d want to get rid of your disability and I don’t really believe anyone that says they wouldn’t; at least while we live in an ableist world.
It resonated with me so much on nearly all the topics it discussed. I cried when Sam talked about her spinal operation as it brought up a lot of memories of my own and I was really grateful for the way she spoke about dating as a disabled woman. It validated a lot of my own feelings around dating which able bodied people just can’t understand.
There was a part at the beginning which I questioned - Sam said she wouldn’t get rid of her disability and believed a lot of other disabled people wouldn’t either. Yes, I’m proud of how being disabled makes up part of my identity but if you told me there was a cure for SMA and I could take it tomorrow, would I want it? Abso-fucking-lutely! We live in an ableist world that makes life difficult on a daily basis. Besides that, often medical interventions aren’t nice and it isn’t always nice how your condition can progress and change your life so drastically. I don’t want anyone to read this and internalise the narrative that being disabled is awful, most of the time it’s not and I have a great life, but there are aspects that are shit. I guess all I’m saying is I think it’s okay to say yes you’d want to get rid of your disability and I don’t really believe anyone that says they wouldn’t; at least while we live in an ableist world.
March 27, 2023
Not my usual genre, but a great read, particularly to read the author’s experience as a disabled woman. A great reminder for disabled and non-disabled people alike to live their life to the fullest and believe in themselves.
July 31, 2025
(3.75/5)
I picked this book not sure what it would be like and convinced that it is going to be a typical self help book—a genre im not very fond of. But to my pleasant surprise, it was a mix of both self help and a personal memoir. This book didn’t just make me think on occasion, but also challenged my inner monologue and gave me insight on how complicated it can be for someone who's disabled and grappling with it on a daily basis. As someone who’s also got a spinal deformity, there were moments where it made me feel so seen and some more where it also made me feel gutted, and challenged me to be kinder and better and I really appreciated that. Overall, I would have personally preferred a more memoir writing style, but I’d also like to say that this is a book that finds you, and that it found me when I genuinely needed someone to say things for what they are. And we love that.
I picked this book not sure what it would be like and convinced that it is going to be a typical self help book—a genre im not very fond of. But to my pleasant surprise, it was a mix of both self help and a personal memoir. This book didn’t just make me think on occasion, but also challenged my inner monologue and gave me insight on how complicated it can be for someone who's disabled and grappling with it on a daily basis. As someone who’s also got a spinal deformity, there were moments where it made me feel so seen and some more where it also made me feel gutted, and challenged me to be kinder and better and I really appreciated that. Overall, I would have personally preferred a more memoir writing style, but I’d also like to say that this is a book that finds you, and that it found me when I genuinely needed someone to say things for what they are. And we love that.
June 28, 2025
I was totally expecting a different book but I’m very happy I was wrong! As a severely disabled person I chose this because I like reading other disability experiences and I love Samantha Renke! This book was so empowering but not for the disability angle, it is empowering for anyone who lacks confidence for any reason. Sam is funny, so her book has her wonderful humour but it’s so full of confidence building and by the end you feel like you’ve just had a pep talk from your best friend! I identified with her disability parenting talk, I too have never been asked if I wanted children and the first time I experienced disability hate it was for choosing to get pregnant. I wish Sam well for her future, I know she’s going to smash it, while looking stunning!
November 3, 2024
Really insightful read for someone who has little knowledge of the life of someone with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, the ableist world we live in. Samantha is brilliant in the way she has distilled the advice she's been given and her approach to life to inspire others. The reason it gets 3 stars from me is because of the writing style, it was too conversational for the style I like but was definitely still worth a read and I feel uplifted by it.
August 31, 2023
Hmmmmn 😬😬😬 started off really enjoying this and it had me laughing out loud in places, but it quickly became very repetitive and I was flicking through the final chapters! Samantha is completely inspirational and I admire her confidence and positivity for sure, but it was a shame that each point that was made kept coming back to the same thing. 2.5 stars 🤷🏼♀️
August 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book- Samantha Renke is a total babe! It was great to get such insight into her life as a disabled woman but not only. Me and her have a lot in common both having done language degrees and being a bit bonkers!! Deffo recommend.
September 22, 2022
Honest, raw, selfless
Grateful to Samantha for sharing her journey, debunking myths, breaking down stereotypes and being vulnerable, while sharing her great sense of humour.
Grateful to Samantha for sharing her journey, debunking myths, breaking down stereotypes and being vulnerable, while sharing her great sense of humour.
October 16, 2022
Fabulous book.
November 5, 2023
Really enjoyed it.
Helped me as a disabled person to realise my worth and that I’m ok as me.
Helped me as a disabled person to realise my worth and that I’m ok as me.
January 15, 2024
‘You Are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread’ by Samantha Renke is a wonderful book which focuses on the powerful message of embracing your true self and accepting every single one of your flaws and imperfections.
As a disabled young woman, born with a brittle bone condition Samantha has faced, and overcome many challenges which the majority of us will never have to experience or could even comprehend. Being able to hear such an important message which many of us tend to forget, from someone who possesses a different perspective was very interesting and eye-opening, as well as empowering and extremely uplifting. Samantha’s true character shines through by the casual narrative used, so although many difficult topics are discussed they are done so in a lighthearted manner.
Personally, I learnt so much when reading this book about ableism, which for those who don’t know is the discrimination and social prejudice against people with physical or mental disabilities. Samantha speaks a lot about how ableism affected her growing up and how she has dealt with those feelings towards others who treated her as inferior due to her disability. I found this particularly interesting as it completely shifted my mindset to my approach of social awareness. Just because someone appears or operates differently to you, doesn’t mean they should be respected any less. I haven’t read anything like this before, would recommend to anyone💌📚
As a disabled young woman, born with a brittle bone condition Samantha has faced, and overcome many challenges which the majority of us will never have to experience or could even comprehend. Being able to hear such an important message which many of us tend to forget, from someone who possesses a different perspective was very interesting and eye-opening, as well as empowering and extremely uplifting. Samantha’s true character shines through by the casual narrative used, so although many difficult topics are discussed they are done so in a lighthearted manner.
Personally, I learnt so much when reading this book about ableism, which for those who don’t know is the discrimination and social prejudice against people with physical or mental disabilities. Samantha speaks a lot about how ableism affected her growing up and how she has dealt with those feelings towards others who treated her as inferior due to her disability. I found this particularly interesting as it completely shifted my mindset to my approach of social awareness. Just because someone appears or operates differently to you, doesn’t mean they should be respected any less. I haven’t read anything like this before, would recommend to anyone💌📚
June 8, 2023
Great insights into the life of differently abled people. Samantha tells her story with passion and honesty. She acknowledges the ableism that even she herself has internalized and describes her life from her childhood, work and even dating life in adulthood. Ability is only temporary, so I think this book is relevant for everyone.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews