Model by Cheryl Diamond

Memoirs are one of my favorite kinds of books to read. I love understanding one person's life and seeing their opinion of the world around them. I bought Model by Cheryl Diamond last spring at a used book store on their discount book rack. In my eyes, the cover was beautiful and the description on back seemed very interesting. I did not know much about the modeling world and was intrigued by what I might learn.

Cheryl begins her story as a young 14 year old looking for a passageway into the world of modeling in New York City, particularly the world of runway. It takes another two years before she is able to actually begin her career due to her young age and a national catastrophe in 2001. When she is 16, she is living and breathing only for modeling and is very good at what she does. Agencies like her and not only does she have a great look, but she also has a stunning presence that pushes her to the top in New York City.

Cheryl's memoir is filled with her adventures and misadventures in her modeling career as a teenager that are times hilarious, and at other times, quite saddening. She is sarcastic, brilliant, and quick witted, creating a story that I found to be a fantastic read. My only complaint is that Cheryl does paint herself out to be a bit too perfect. It would have been nice to see some more of her flaws and failures during her career. Overall, this Young Adult novel is an lighthearted read and is great for any person interested in the world of modeling or fashion.