The 11-ish Books I Plan to Read in 2015

1).  The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown, Ph.D., L.M.S.W.    Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are.

I am reading this right now and it is digging into me in a good-hard and healing way. I highly recommend this book, especially if you are a (little or a lot of a) perfectionist. Even if you are not, there are powerful lessons about connection, vulnerability, and worthiness in there for all.

2). Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, Ph.D., L.M.S.W.  How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead.

Honestly, I have stopped and started this many times. It has been on my bedside table for-ever.  I think I want to read it with a group and really dissect and go deep. Any volunteers?  Brene’s title comes from Theodore Roosevelt’s famous speech. I’m a BIG believer in vulnerability and transparency, and yet I know I still have much to learn and grow in this department. Join me.

3). Love Does by Bob Goff  

“Bob Goff has become something of a legend, and his friends consider him the world’s best kept secret.” His book “awakens a sense deep within that you, too, have an outrageous role to play in God’s unfolding story of rescue and repair.” Love is action. Love in action. Not words, feelings or intentions. The DOING of love. I can’t wait to be challenged by this book.

4). Yes, Please by Amy Poehler  

Actress, writer, comedienne Amy Poehler delivers wit and wisdom with total candidness that I love. I’ve already begun this one, too, and I am savoring it. She’s fresh, fun, and sarcastic. She’s my people.

5). The Rosie Project: A Novel by Graeme Simsion

My imaginary BFF, Jen Hatmaker, recommended this book, so OF COURSE I HAVE TO read it!  It’s a romantic comedy about a love-challenged Don Tillman, who wants to find a wife and sets about doing it scientifically. Ha! Rosie Jarman is the focus of The Wife Project and we find out what happens.

 6). Hold Me Tight by Dr. Sue Johnson—Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love

A marriage book. Obvs. I confess I read far more parenting and self-help books than I do on becoming a “better” wife to Chris. I still dig my Boyfriend, and I truly do want to grow in my marriage.  This book came to us and so we will read together and digest and apply. We want an US, a very connected US, a strong US, when all the littles are not so little, and they freefly into their grown-up lives.

 7). The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida—The Inner Voice of a 13-Year-Old Boy with Autism

I love love love memoirs and this one is incredibly unique. My forever-friend, Amy Groshell, gave me this book. She’s an amazing, warrior mom, devoted deeply to her daughter, Gentry, age 18, with severe autism. Any book Amy sends me I read. Because I admire and respect her THAT MUCH.

8). All The Light We Cannot See: A Novel by Anthony Doerr

I am always drawn to WWII stories!  And this one was an” instant New York Times bestseller about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.” (Amazon) I think this one, too, was recommended by my pretend friend, Jen H.

9). A Rare Bird by Anna Whiston-Donaldson

Yes. Another memoir. I love raw story-telling and this is Anna’s story of losing her son Jack in a freak accident, a neighborhood flood. She wrestles with this dramatic and unexpected loss and comes out the other side with HOPE. We all have hardships and losses, and we all want to come through to a place of hope, so that we may impart hope to others.

 10). One or Two Light and Lovely Romantic Summer Reads, a la Nicholas Sparks or Emily Giffin. To be determined. (I need a reprieve from heavy topics once in a while, ya think??)

 11).  Given that I am a Book Adddict, I will most likely read more than these above.

 

What books are you reading this year?  I’d love to hear from you friends.