The Gifts of Imperfection

Ok, I actually just got this book in the mail yesterday (and I ordered it like 3 weeks ago...booo).

I started reading it this morning and I have already realized it is exactly what I need right now.

I know you guys don't know this, but I have been struggling on and off with mild depression for a while now. And, with the birth of Liam 6 weeks ago, it has definitely turned into a full blown problem.

My mom and grandmother both struggle with depression as does my dad's sister, so it's a real deal in my family and it sucks.

I am having a hard time coping and seems to be getting worse as my life gets more hectic.

So I decided it is time to get some help.

I don't want my kids growing up with a depressed mom and I'm tired of feeling sad and irritated all the time.

I'm tired of feeling like I can't do anything right and being so down on myself.

I have an appointment on Friday with my OB where I'm hoping to get some sort of medication that can help me be more of the person I know is inside me.

This is why I am loving all the stuff in this book about courage.

I love this:

"Ordinary courage is about putting our vulnerability on the line. In today's world, that's pretty extraordinary."

Then the author talks about how her young daughter had the courage to call her mom when she wanted to come home from the sleepover.

Courage is hard.

I feel so dumb having to go get medication to help me deal with my own life.

But I know it will help and I know I need it, so I need to let go and have the courage to talk to someone.

We have to let go of what other people think and do what we know is right and best for us.

It's hard.

I kind of feel like no matter how many times we try to pretend like we don't care what others think of us, we do to an extent.

But we still need to have the courage to be we are and give ourselves permission to be imperfect and human.

" [....] courage has a ripple effect. Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver. And our world could stand to be a little kinder and a little braver" (pg. 15).

Totally going out on a limb here

I want to read this book by Brene Brown. It seems like a quick read at 137 pages. The Provo City Library didn't have it so I just bought it new on Amazon for $6. They have used ones too, but maybe your library will have the book. Half.com also has it. Or maybe you can get it on your kindle, Cam?

(How do you guys get book club books? Buy them? Check them out? E read them?)

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown.

I want to read it for a lot of reasons that I will write about after I read it. I have a LOT to say about why I'm reading it - or maybe not a lot, but a really meaningful few things. Here's a TED talk by her to help you see if you'll like it/her. So it hasn't been recommended by anyone, but I'm just picking it! What do you think?

Here's a description of the book:

Each day we face a barrage of images and messages from society and the media telling us who, what, and how we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only look perfect and lead perfect lives, we’d no longer feel inadequate. So most of us perform, please, and perfect, all the while thinking,

• What if I can’t keep all of these balls in the air?
• Why isn’t everyone else working harder and living up to my expectations?
• What will people think if I fail or give up?
• When can I stop proving myself?

In THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION, Brené Brown, Ph.D., a leading expert on authenticity, shame, and courage shares what she’s learned from a decade of research on the power of Wholehearted Living.

She writes, “Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating 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. It’s going to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging.”

Dr. Brown’s most unique contribution comes from her 10-year groundbreaking study on vulnerability and shame. In this new book, she not only gives us direction for living a more authentic life, but courageously talks about “the things that get in the way.”

For example, in the chapter on cultivating rest and play, Brown addresses the challenges of letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth. In her chapter on creativity she explains the paralyzing properties of comparison. Brown may be one of the only writers in this genre that offers us a path for change and an honest look at the obstacles.

As a nationally renowned researcher and speaker, Dr. Brown’s perspective is fresh, honest, and always delivered with warmth and humor. She writes about the experiences we all have, but few of us are willing to discuss. Using personal stories of her own struggle to “embrace vulnerability” she writes about the experiences we all have, but few of us are willing to discuss.

Don't Bother

Hello friends! So did anyone get a chance to read "All Other Nights"? I read it on my trip to and from Tahoe and I have to be honest, I was totally disappointed. If you haven't read it, don't bother. Just go ahead and cross it off of your list of books to read. Sorry for picking a dud. But in case any of you did read it, here are some reasons I didn't like it:
-the ending was retarded
-the event that I thought was supposed to be the climax of the story (based on the synopsis I read) happened way too early in the book and then the story was stupid from there.
-The characters weren't all that loveable
-the author didn't do a good job of making me believe that the conflict in the book was as serious as it was supposed to be.

Basically, I just wasn't that into it. So who is next?

July Book...sorry its late!

Okay, I have FINALLY chosen a book for this month. I apologize for taking so long. One of my sisters recommended a book to me months ago and I was trying to hunt her down (she is on vacation) and get the details. Long story short, I'm not completely sure I know which book she was referring too as there are several with very similar titles. I'll have to do more research and choose that one on my next turn.
So....without further delay, here is the book I have chosen instead.

All Other Nights
by Dara Horn

I read several overviews of the book, but all of the good ones kind of gave away the story. Here is one I found that remained ambiguous, but it also doesn't make it sound quite as interesting. Happy reading!

"How is tonight different from all other nights? For Jacob Rappaport, a Jewish soldier in the Union army, it is a question his commanders have answered for him: on Passover in 1862 he is ordered to murder his own uncle, who is plotting to assassinate President Lincoln.

After that night, will Jacob ever speak for himself? The answer comes when his commanders send him on another mission—this time not to murder a spy but to marry one.

A page-turner rich with romance and the history of America (North and South), this is a book only Dara Horn could have written. Full of insight and surprise, layered with meaning, it is a brilliant parable of the moral divide that still haunts us: between those who value family first and those dedicated, at any cost, to social and racial justice for all."--From the Barnes & Noble Website

Hello? Is anyone out there?

I have been a horrible book club member this past couple of months. I'm sorry! Has anyone finished reading "Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less"? I have to be honest, I haven't even started it. I put it on hold at the library right when Amy announced it, and I still haven't heard anything from them. I'm going to head over there on my lunch break and see if I can find a copy. If nobody has finished, should I wait to announce a new book for July? Or do you all vote that I go ahead and pick something? I'm cool with whatever...majority rules.
How is everyone's summer going?

Um...different book for June??

Okay, so I started The Postmistress and I'm a little concerned about where some of it is heading. I'm so bummed because I thought it was going to be a really good one. I'm hoping everyone hasn't already gotten it since it's still early in the month. Maybe it gets better, but from what I read in the first few chapters I can see it having some sketchy content. :) Anyway, I decided to pick a new one...from someone I know that has already read it. My mom said this is one of her favorite books and it sounded like a good fun fiction story. Enjoy!



The conned: an Oxford don, a revered society physician, a chic French art dealer, and a charming English lord. They have one thing in common. Overnight, each novice investor lost his life's fortune to one man. The con: Harvey Metcalfe. A brilliant, self-made guru of deceit. A very dangerous individual. And now, a hunted man.

With nothing left to lose four strangers are about to come together-each expert in their own field. Their plan: find Harvey, shadow him, trap him, and penny-for-penny, destroy him. From the luxurious casinos of Monte Carlo to the high-stakes windows at Ascot to the bustling streets of Wall Street to fashionable London galleries, their own ingenious game has begun. It's called revenge-and they were taught by a master