Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

Braving the Wilderness
The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone
by Brené Brown

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Published: 2017
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Inspirational
Hardback: 208
Rating: 4

First sentence(s):
When I start writing, I inevitably feel myself swallowed by fear.

“True belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are.” Social scientist Brené Brown, PhD, LMSW, has sparked a global conversation about the experiences that bring meaning to our lives—experiences of courage, vulnerability, love, belonging, shame, and empathy. In Braving the Wilderness, Brown redefines what it means to truly belong in an age of increased polarization. With her trademark mix of research, storytelling, and honesty, Brown will again change the cultural conversation while mapping a clear path to true belonging.

Brown argues that we’re experiencing a spiritual crisis of disconnection, and introduces four practices of true belonging that challenge everything we believe about ourselves and each other. She writes, “True belonging requires us to believe in and belong to ourselves so fully that we can find sacredness both in being a part of something and in standing alone when necessary. But in a culture that’s rife with perfectionism and pleasing, and with the erosion of civility, it’s easy to stay quiet, hide in our ideological bunkers, or fit in rather than show up as our true selves and brave the wilderness of uncertainty and criticism. But true belonging is not something we negotiate or accomplish with others; it’s a daily practice that demands integrity and authenticity. It’s a personal commitment that we carry in our hearts.” Brown offers us the clarity and courage we need to find our way back to ourselves and to each other. And that path cuts right through the wilderness. Brown writes, “The wilderness is an untamed, unpredictable place of solitude and searching. It is a place as dangerous as it is breathtaking, a place as sought after as it is feared. But it turns out to be the place of true belonging, and it’s the bravest and most sacred place you will ever stand.”

My two-bits:

Picked up a couple more tips on living. But was familiar with these thoughts. So, it was an okay read.

~*~
* part of Reese Witherspoon's Book Club (here)

Happy Cozy

The covers for this set called to me with its cute whimsical look and unusual eye-catching word - hygge (pronounced hooga).

Hygge is the Scandinavian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. Over recent years, hygge became a defining characteristic of Danish culture. -per Wikipedia

With that definition I decided to pick up a stack of books from the library to read up on what is hygge during this winter season. I will post impressions on this post along the way.

The Little Book of Hygge:
The Danish Way to Live Well
by Meik Wiking Amazon | Goodreads
My two bits:
Research related information with warm colorful illustrations give a good sense of hygge in this book. There are also interesting tips on how to incorporate hygge in your life. Candles is quick way to create a hygge aura.

The Little Book of Lykke:
The Danish Search for the World's Happiest People
by Meik Wiking Amazon | Goodreads
My two bits: coming...

Making Winter:
A Hygge-Inspired Guide to Surviving the Winter Months
by Emma Mitchell Amazon | Goodreads
My two bits:
This photo filled books includes winter related arts, crafts and recipes to get in that cozy mood. It includes step-by-step guides for a Crochet Lace Necklace and Fennel Cowl as well as recipes for Five-Minute Molten Chocolate Cake in a Mug and Blackberry and Almond Streusel Cake.

How to Hygge:
The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life
by Signe Johansen Amazon | Goodreads
My two bits: DNF

The Book of Hygge:
The Danish Art of Contentment, Comfort, and Connection
by Louisa Thomsen Brits Amazon | Goodreads
My two bits: This one gets into more examples of Danish living and lifestyle with some home related photos interspersed.

The Book of Yes by Sarah Von Bargen

The Book of Yes
by Sarah Von Bargen

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Just released: January 2016
Publisher: self
Genre: How-to, Inspiration
ebook
Rating: 5

The Book Of Yes is 51 pages of checklists, tips, and journaling prompts that will help you:

Travel more
Meet more people + strengthen your friendships
Be more intentional with your spending
Stop dating the wrong people
Treat yourself (in ways that don't involve shopping or food)
Actually enjoy winter
Get what you want

My two-bits:

This is a handy dandy guide to planning some life activities during the winter season.

I really liked this guidebook - maybe because I am a list person. Along with intro text, interactive lists were provided in each chapter to motivate and move things along.

Although I went through it, I plan to do it again in December for the next winter season.

~*~
* gift copy courtesy of author

What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey

What I Know For Sure
by Oprah Winfrey

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Published: 2014
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Genre: Biography, Inspiration, Memoir
Hardback: 240 pages
Rating: 4.5

As a creative force, student of the human heart and soul, and champion of living the life you want, Oprah Winfrey stands alone. Over the years, she has made history with a legendary talk show - the highest-rated program of its kind, launched her own television network, become the nation’s only African-American billionaire, and been awarded both an honorary degree by Harvard University and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. From all her experiences, she has gleaned life lessons—which, for fourteen years, she’s shared in O, The Oprah Magazine’s widely popular “What I Know For Sure” column, a monthly source of inspiration and revelation.

Now, for the first time, these thoughtful gems have been revised, updated, and collected in What I Know For Sure, a beautiful cloth bound book with a ribbon marker, packed with insight and revelation from Oprah Winfrey. Organized by theme—joy, resilience, connection, gratitude, possibility, awe, clarity, and power—these essays offer a rare, powerful and intimate glimpse into the heart and mind of one of the world’s most extraordinary women—while providing readers a guide to becoming their best selves. Candid, moving, exhilarating, uplifting, and frequently humorous, the words Oprah shares in What I Know For Sure shimmer with the sort of truth that readers will turn to again and again.

PeekAbook:



My two-bits:

I started out the year reading this gem of a book. As most of the sayings mentioned I have already come across, I liked the reminders.

Reading this daily gave me such an all-around good feeling at the start of the day.

~*~
* added this to my Bookish Bingo challenge - square: Gold Lettering

Ladies and Gentlemen...The Redeemers by Michael Scott Miller

Ladies and Gentlemen...The Redeemers
by Michael Scott Miller

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Published: 2011
Genre: Friendship, Inspiration, Music
ebook
Rating: 5

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Goodreads

Ladies and Gentlemen…The Redeemers tells the story of Bert Ingram, once a successful rep in the music industry, who has lost his way. Desperate for redemption, the perpetual dreamer decides to put together a band, recruiting musicians who have only one thing in common: the need to overcome a significant obstacle in their lives.

The volatile mix of the musicians' personalities and backgrounds threatens to derail the band at every opportunity, but in time, the Redeemers begin to realize they have more to gain from one another than they ever could have imagined.

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s):
The comraderie and passion for musical performance held my attention throughout this story.

I loved watching the formation and growth of a music band. The interesting twist is that the band members are not all young hotties.

fyi: ebook is currently available for 99 cents

OR win a copy here...

--~ Book Giveaway courtesy of author ~--
signup to win this book

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* read Michael's guest post which includes characters from this book

* review copy courtesy of author

* part of rrRoad Trip event