I started reading Brené Brown’s books when I a friend said to me, “You have to read her books!” It was in the earlish days of Ted Talks, and her talk on Vulnerability rocketed her into the public eye. I wasn’t into watching videos at the time, so I picked up one of her books. I think it was Gifts of Imperfection.
Her discussions and research into shame continues to shine a light on a topic people aren’t keen on talking about. Yet, as she points out, understanding shame and learning to be vulnerable are central to developing close relationships. It is also necessary to healing from abuse. Recognizing how we experience shame and incorporate it into our own self-talk is fundamental to any healing journey.
Brené Brown’s first book on shame, Women & Shame: Reaching Out, Speaking Truths and Building Connection was released in 2004. It is not her most popular book and tends to be pricey.
“Shame is that warm feeling that washes over us, making us feel small, flawed, and never good enough.” Brené Brown
GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION
One of her most popular books, however, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You Were Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are is definitely worth reading. I enjoy listening to audio books and she narrates her own. She is a good story teller and an engaging speaker.
Embracing who we are is a fundamental ingredient to aging abundantly. Self-awareness and self-acceptance require looking beneath the surface and getting a better handle on why we do what we do. This book is an excellent resource for this purpose. if you are on the path of letting go of expectations and tuning into why you do what you do, I believe you will find Dr. Brown’s books beneficial.
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
― Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
“Talk to yourself like someone you love.”
– Brené Brown
“You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.”
― Brené Brown
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.”
― Brené Brown
“The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows.”
― Brené BrownThe Gifts of Imperfection
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.”
― Daring Greatly
“You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.”
“Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.” ~ Brené Brown
“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.”
“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.”
- BRENE BROWN’S BOOKS IN ORDER OF PUBLICATION
- Women and Shame (2004)
- I thought it was just me (2007)
- I Thought It Was Just Me (but It Isn’t) (2007)
- The Gifts of Imperfection (2010)
- Daring Greatly (2012)
- Men, Women, and Worthiness (2012)
- The Power of Vulnerability (2012)
- The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting (2013)
- Rising Strong (2015)
- I Thought It Was Just Me: Telling the Truth about Perfectionism, Inadequacy and Power (2016)
- Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice (2017)
- Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone (2017)
- Dare to Lead (2018)
- Atlas of the Heart (2021)
