Claire Messud's new novel, The Woman Upstairs, is fiercely intelligent and urgently intimate, written with precision, humor, and an incredible...
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alligabbert, January 5, 2013 (view all comments by alligabbert)
Life-changing for me. One of the reviews described it as a long conversation with one of your most personal friends, and I couldn't say it better. Brown has insight into topics of shame and imperfection, that when discussed in a healthy manner, can lead to a much deeper inner peace.
hollymarie0407, September 5, 2011 (view all comments by hollymarie0407)
A friend gave this to me last Christmas and I thought, "Soooo, what are ya tryin' to say?" I was so put off by the title that I couldn't make the time to read it until a month ago. But once I did, it was like taking a spa trip for my spirit after it's been depleted by life's treadmill.
The author teaches the components of "Wholehearted (compassionate and authentic)Living" as guideposts she's discovered through extensive client interviews. Although the author has a doctorate, her use of language is easy to understand and accessible. Her personal stories about struggles with perfectionism, shame, and vulnerability encourage even the most entrenched perfectionist that we can let go of our unworthiness baggage and experience joy just as we are right now.
"Publishers Weekly Review"
by Publishers Weekly,
"Brown, author of I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't), again urges us to expose and expel our insecurities in order to have the most fulfilling life possible. Her latest is a guidebook for pilgrims on the journey to wholehearted living, which she defines as containing courage, compassion, deliberate boundaries, and connection. She has defined 10 guideposts for personal introspection, which involve cultivating some positive quality, whether it be authenticity, self-compassion, or a resilient spirit, intuition, meaningful work, or laughter. Each guidepost is the focus of a chapter that contains illustrative stories, primarily from her own life; definitions, including the difference between shame and guilt; quotes from such diverse sources as Diane Ackerman and E.E. Cummings; and brief suggestions of activities that she pursues with the assumption that they might help her audience. Although these activities are highlighted in her introduction to the book, they are in short supply and the book functions more as a chatty meditation on the guideposts. Despite occasional moments of insight, this book's primary value may be in spurring thought and providing references to other authors that will provide further inspiration for those seeking a more meaningful life. (Oct.)" Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
"Review"
by Harriet Lerner, New York Times best-selling author of The Dance of Anger and The Dance of Connection,
"This important book is about the lifelong journey from 'What will people think?' to 'I am enough.' Brown's unique ability to blend original research with honest storytelling makes reading The Gifts of Imperfection like having a long, uplifting conversation with a very wise friend who offers compassion, wisdom, and great advice."
"Review"
by Daniel H. Pink, New York Times best-selling author of A Whole New Mind,
"Brené Brown courageously tackles the dark emotions that get in the way of leading a fuller life; read this book and let some of that courage rub off on you."
"Review"
by Ali Edwards, author of Life Artist,
"Courage, compassion, and connection: Through Brené's research, observations, and guidance, these three little words can open the door to amazing change in your life."
"Synopsis"
by Hold All,
Each day we face a barrage of images and ideas "from society and the media" telling us who we should be. We are led to believe that if we look perfect, live perfect, and do everything perfectly, we'd no longer struggle with feelings of inadequacy. Ironically, it's the pursuit of perfection that fuels the message "never good enough."
In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, Ph.D., L.M.S.W., the leading expert on shame, reveals that it is actually our imperfections and vulnerabilities that connect us to one another as human beings and make us who we are. In this illuminating guide to WholeHearted living, Brown engages our hearts, minds, and spirits in finding the beauty of authenticity and evolving our self-perceptions through fifteen guideposts that emerged from her latest groundbreaking research.
Each guidepost is illustrated with essays, stories, inspiring quotes, meditations, and dynamic creative exercises designed to help us develop the skills to accept our vulnerabilities with compassion and practice loving-kindness toward ourselves and others. We are naturally drawn to those we view as authentic, real, and down-to-earth. It makes sense, then, that we should stop reaching for something "better" and, instead, strive to be who we are, fully owning every aspect of ourselves. In this book Brené Brown shows you how.
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