The Glass Ledge: How to Break Through Self-Sabotage, Embrace Your Power, and Create Your Success

Oubou, founder of the women’s publishing platform Swaay Media, debuts with an encouraging program for women on overcoming obstacles to professional and personal development. The author draws on her stints as a businessperson, scientist, and former Miss New York to offer guidance on “breaking free from our self-deprecating ways, shattering the poor self-image we’ve been carrying, and rising above internal and external biases to achieve our rightfully earned success.” She recommends feeling gratitude for one’s achievements, noting that while certain genetic factors predispose some to discount thankfulness, studies suggest that journaling might help. The author emphasizes the importance of appearance and recounts how fellow scientists wrote her off because of her pageant background, reminding readers that “image breeds confidence” and that “well-groomed hair and nails are important in every environment.” Examining how women from Livia Drusilla, adviser and wife of Roman emperor Augustus, to singer Madonna have been critiqued for their “likeability,” Oubou urges readers to brush off such concerns and “tone down the people pleasing.” The well-chosen anecdotes backed up by science add some heft to the accessible and enjoyable advice. Readers will enjoy Oubou’s empowering message and practical plan. Agent: Heather Jackson, Heather Jackson Literary. (May)