#Shelfies and the Power of Books | Wyoming Writer and Photographer

At any given moment, I’m probably reading two or three books.  Not at the exact same time, mind you, but I will inevitably be in the middle of a few at any point in the week.  I’m generally reading one non-fiction and one fiction book at once and have a third audio book available that I listen to in the car and before I fall asleep at night.

Why so many books?  I don’t have an attention deficient problem.  Well at least I don’t think so.  But I do love books.  I love non-fiction books because they teach me something, either about history, business, the arts or sometimes myself.  I love fiction books because I can get lost in the characters and plot twists and escape the minutia of my own life for a bit.  And I love audio books because they offer the benefits of a book with the melodic quality of the spoken word.  They are the perfect accompaniment to a trip to town or a cruise along the backroads looking for new locations or photo ops.

I also love getting book recommendations or author recommendations.  Following suggestions from friends and family forces me out of my reading comfort zone and allows me to experience new concepts, ideas and dramas.  We can, I feel, also connect with others through a book.  Reading and enjoying it becomes a shared experience.  When someone recommends a book to me, it feels like a gift.  One that should be unwrapped and enjoyed and brought into my life in gratitude.

And when I truly love a book?  I want to shout it from the rooftops.  Not because my analysis or thoughts on it are anything astounding.  But because the book has resonated with me.  Sometimes a book will simply entertain me.  Other times, a book will challenge my way of thinking.  Sometimes books simply speak to my soul.

So occasionally I’ll be sharing a new #shelfie with you…a book recommendation for you to delight, transform or inspire.

My current #shelfie is “Daring Greatly” by Brene Brown.  It’s a self-help book, mostly, with some physiological and sociological implications thrown in.  The book is about growing and strengthening ourselves through vulnerability and guilt and shame resilience.  I won’t give you a review of the book because frankly I stink at those and there are plenty on Amazon or Good Reads if you’re interested.

If you’re not the touchy-feely type, you probably won’t like it.  But you are exactly the person who probably needs to read it.

I honestly wish I would have had this book about thirteen years ago.  There was a period in my life where I struggled mightily with shame and guilt.  I felt unworthy of love and that I was not enough.  Not a good enough boss, not a good enough friend, not a good enough daughter, not skinny enough, not capable enough.  I allowed my self-worth to be determined by others, not by myself.  My confidence was decimated by someone who purported to care about me but in truth was a selfish, arrogant asshat who made himself feel better by making others feel small.

But I digress.

The point is, we all struggle from shame, guilt and self-loathing.  It took me time, distance and some therapy before I had the courage to say “Enough!” and take control of my life back. That’s basically the premise of the book…learning to call B.S. on the negative voice in your head and begin living from a place of greatness and courage instead of fear and shame.

What’s on your nightstand to be read tonight?