Welcome to Litsy!

I want to preface this by saying my review is of the book and not Simone herself, who I adore. This book was published at the end of 2016. Since then, we‘ve learned a lot more about Simone and what she‘s been through. Reading this now, it‘s obvious how emotionally detached Simone is from the story she‘s telling. It‘s also clear that this is a very sanitized version of her story. There‘s no depth or introspection to make this a worthwhile memoir.

I wasn‘t expecting a lot since Simone is a gymnast not an author. Overall though, I am glad I read her story BEFORE the Olympics this year!

“There‘s no such thing as perfection in gymnastics. You do your best, but anything can happen-which is why you have to learn to forgive yourself and quickly move on. Curiously, my Olympic dream had never been about winning-it was about going. It was about proudly wearing my country‘s colors on my chest and being excellent in the moments when it counted. It was about precision, confidence, and teamwork. And it was about hope.” -Simone Biles

I was excited about this and wanted to like it, but I was disappointed. She comes off as immature and spoiled despite having a really tough start as a small child before her grandparents adopted her. She has a Bratty Period that was difficult and frustrating to listen through. There was also a lot of what I thought was trivial information about childhood friends, lists she made in her journals, mischievous adventures, etc.

When I was 5 or 6 years old, my parents put me in gymnastics because I was always hanging off the swing set & had a friend who was in it, too. I never competed & wasn‘t that great, but I had fun—and got to roll through a fiery hoop during programs for our parents.
I watched Mary Lou at the Olympics, idolized her, & read her book many times. When I saw this on Litsy, I decided to listen. I love watching Simone Biles & the foreword is by Mary Lou.

Great book to close out the decade with. I really enjoyed Simone‘s candor, and it‘s definitely appropriate for any kid able to read it. I‘d even recommend for any person trying to reach a goal!

Simone shares her (great) successes, but also the times she came up short and how those times eventually led to her being the GoAT of women‘s gymnastics.

I hope all Littens start 2020 off great! 🥂📚🎧

#JustFinished

Simone Biles is amazing! She made hard decisions to achieve her dream, but I think it was worth it in the end. I loved all the great quotes at the beginning of each chapter. My favorite thing is that it shows how she stayed true to herself even through losses and wins. I respect her so much more now! Side note: I have finally overcome my fear that nonfiction is not good!!

I really enjoyed this short, sweet memoir of Simone Biles, gold medalist at the Olympics in gymnastics. I enjoyed her attitude and confidence as well as her humility. There's nothing earth-shattering in here but just an overall sweet memoir. I'm glad I listened to it.

Finished the #Booked2018 Jan~Mar prompts when I finished the tagged book. I enjoyed all 6 books I read for this.

Reading this for #Booked2018
My daughter read it and loved it. That‘s a good enough recommendation for me. 🤓

“ #SimoneBiles‘ entrance into the world of #gymnastics may have started on a daycare field trip in her hometown of Spring, Texas, but her God-given talent, passion, and perseverance have made her one of the top #gymnasts in the world, as well as a four-time winner of #Olympicgold in Rio de Janeiro... Simone shares her inspiring personal story” that led her to achieve her dreams. - #TBR #Olympics #ReadingResolutions

A quick and enjoyable listen. I loved hearing the story of her journey to Olympic gold.

My #MondayMotivation. An inspiring audiobook for this cold, rainy, icy start to the week.

This was an ok read. I'm not a gymnastics fan but saw Simone Biles compete in Rio and she fascinated me. So small with so much power.

The only thing I'm disappointed in, was how slowly the book seemed to progress then all of a sudden she had competed in Rio and it was all over.

I'd have like to have leant more about Simone and her life rather than Completion - Medal - Competition - mess up - competition - Rio - win!

3*

This book looks at the best gymnast of the last decade. No-one can beat what she has done including 3 world championships for all around.

This book talks about her life and what she endured to become the best in the business

Read this for the #readharder2017 challenge sports book. It was fun to read this at a time I can still remember the Final Five competing. Ms Biles seems to be a well-balanced, humble young woman with a wonderful, supportive family. It was interesting to read her story, though I don't feel like the book lets you know her to any depth. Some of that may be because she isn't an annoying diva, and comes across as pleasant, normal, and well-adjusted😀

We are home. Husband is comfortable and recovering and both the Kid and I finished our books. He really liked his and mine was fantastic. Simone is such an incredible young woman. This is as much a coming of age story as it is an autobiography. I loved reading her story. I can't imagine the pressure of becoming an elite gymnast. But her sucess makes all of this worthwhile! Really well done.

What will I be reading while my husband is with the doc you may be wondering... This!!!! I love Simone Biles! I have been obsessed with watching her career since 2014. I was so happy watching her success at the 2016 Olympics! Really excited to read more about her life and journey...

Finishing up Courage To Soar and it is such an inspiring book. Simone Biles is an amazing young woman!

📚🔔📚 ooh two books on my TBR (COURAGE TO SOAR and AMERICAn STREET) are $1.99 ebook! And HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE is one of my favorite movies which reminds me I keep meaning to read the book! (Also on sale!)

Happy Birthday to Simone Biles, one of the best athletes in the world. During last year's Rio Olympics Simone won four gold medals and one bronze medal in gymnastics, including the all around gold! Happy 20th Birthday!

SO EXCITED! Simone is speaking -- well, being interviewed -- at my church today! Even better .... she will be visiting the grades 2-5 Promiseland rooms after the interview. My gymnast daughter is over the moon excited!

Alright I believe I have my pick for the 'book on sports' section in the #2017ReadHarderChallenge by @bookriot thanks @MrBook!
#blameLitsy #blameMrBook

#TBRtemptation post! One of 2016's best-selling biographical works, this is the memoir of one gold medalist from the US Olympic ladies' gymnastics team. And she captured the attention of the whole country, perhaps even moreso than Michael Phelps! An inspirational and motivational memoir on the how's and why's and difficulties and joys of reaching the top spot in her sport in the world. Definitely checking this one out! #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎