Book Update!

Yall, I think I have a problem with my summer reading list. I'm kind of addicted to it. I finished the Brene Brown book in 3 days. THREE DAYS! I read the first 200 pages Dr. Perry's book in one day. When I'm out doing other things like working and whatnot, I think to myself "man, I could be reading so much good stuff right now." That's not unhealthy, right? Okay good.

Book #2: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Description via Amazon: In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, "No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough," and to go to bed at night thinking, "Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn't change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging."

My Review: AMAZING. This book killed me. Brene Brown has her PhD and is also a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and all of her books are based off of her research on shame, fear, and vulnerability. All pretty scary words, huh? Lemme tell ya, I do not like dealing with hard emotions. As much as I hate to admit it, I will avoid them at all costs. However, in this book, she fleshes everything out and shows that that is not okay. AT ALL. I feel like every chapter that she wrote was specifically calling me out in the most compassionate way possible. Chapter 1 was "Cultivating Authenticity: Letting Go of What People Think." Ouch. Way to start the book off nice and easy Brene...

Second chapter was "Cultivating Self-Compassion: Letting go of Perfectionism." Wait a minute. I try my hardest to be compassionate to every person I encounter. It is a necessity at my job. But you're telling me that I have to be compassionate to myself?? That's a completely different story. This is how the whole book went, yall! It spoke to my heart and soul! I HIGHLY recommend this book and any of her books. I know that once I finish my stack of books, I plan on buying her other ones and diving in.  There were so many quotes in the book that I marked. I wanted to share some with yall but it's so hard to pick just one! Here are some I especially loved:

• "Self-doubt undermines the process of finding our gifts and sharing them with the world. Moreover, if developing and sharing our gifts is how we honor and connect with God, self-doubt is letting our fear undermine our faith."
• "The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It's our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows."
• "Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who we are."

Pretty great, huh?

Book #3: The Boy who was Raised by a Dog.

Description via Amazon:  "Child psychiatrist Bruce Perry has treated children faced with unimaginable horror: genocide survivors, witnesses, children raised in closets and cages, and victims of family violence. Here he tells their stories of trauma and transformation."

My Review: This would be a book that the average person probably would not enjoy. However, if you work with or are in interested in children that have experienced trauma, then you will find this book fascinating. Each chapter is a different case that Dr. Perry has encountered over his years of practice. You read about different cases of children that have been abused, neglected, and traumatized in different ways and then learn about how that affected their brain. Towards the end, he then talked about how as a community, we need to understand the emotional needs of children and the importance of emotional and mental health. I found it super interesting and it allowed me learn a great deal about the population that I plan on working with. However, if this is not your area of interest, it's probably not the book for you because some of the stories are pretty gruesome and hard to read. 

Next up: If I am Missing or Dead by Janine Latus