Perfectly Unique, by Annie F. Downs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION (Zondervan): Your body is an instrument.  No, it’s not a flute, or a guitar (I hope).  It is a sacred and original design by a master craftsman with a specific plan and purpose.  

Perhaps you are struggling with your body image or are trying to make sense of why God made you as you are. Maybe you are looking for new ways to understand Scripture or to love God more fully. Either way, this book will take you on a thoughtful, funny, and spirit-filled exploration of the way you were designed and will help you better honor the Creator by learning to value his perfectly unique creation (yourself!).

That’s a pretty big deal.

From head to foot, the way you view your body is directly connected to how you serve God. Seriously. From the thoughts you think to the steps you take, every part of you is linked to the divine.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Annie Downs is an author and speaker who loves living in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God.  Connect with her at her blog.

MY THOUGHTS: With her slightly corny, offbeat sense of humor, the author draws you in and makes you won't to hear what this silly gal has to say.  She addresses the insecurity and self-doubt that every girl faces, then gives practical advice about how to shift your way of thinking and acting in order to reflect the value God places on you.

Each chapter focuses on a different part of the body, explaining the significance of this part.  How does it reflect the beauty God put in you?  How can you guard that specific part and use it to glorify God?  Some are obvious, such as the eyes, the ears, and the heart.  But what about the shoulders? The knees? The stomach? 

"Chew on This" at the end of each chapter provides scriptures to look up, questions to think through, and thoughts to journal.  An appendix with recipes and lists for random things Annie has mentioned within the chapters, such as onion soup, ends a quirky but very real, very relevant book.

I would definitely recommend it for teen girls, although the advice and truths apply to those of us who are a bit older, as well.  :)

You can purchase it after September 4, 2012, in ebook format or paperback, by clicking here.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, courtesy of netGalley.com.