Beautiful on the Outside: A Memoir

Many likely know Rippon for his figure skating accomplishments, most notably as the first openly gay U.S. athlete to win a medal in a Winter Olympics. In his debut memoir, he shows his humor: “It was never my objective to be or try to be famous, but I also knew this was a great opportunity to do one of the things I always wanted to do, which was to let people know I could be funny.” Even though this book is entertaining, Rippon addresses many difficult life experiences, beginning with his childhood in Scranton, PA, and continuing through his years of training. His stories will interest anyone looking to learn more about the sport, including the amount of training that takes place, especially at an early age. Rippon’s strength is apparent, and it’s easy to see why he is an inspiration to many. From the first line, the writing is conversational and relatable and will engage readers throughout.