So whenever I walk into a bookstore (often) or the public library (even more often), I have to put on blinders so I only leave with what I intended to read. I’ll let you guess how often I’m successful at that.
So a week before heading to Northern Ireland, I had a few research-related texts to browse through, a re-read of one of my favorite YA books set in Ireland to note how she covers visiting popular attractions, along with hitting my pre-trip writing goal. I got the notification that a guide to Northern Ireland (!! yes! In my little OBX library) had arrived for me at the public library so I ran in to pick it up.
As I was waiting in line to check out, a red cover caught my eye on the new books shelf. “Brave, Not Perfect!” it yelled out in bold white letters. I reached over, drawn in more by the subtitle claiming to help readers “Fear less, fail more, and live bolder.” Hm. Written by the woman who created Girls Who Code? I’m sold.
New books typically have a 2 week loan period, but this one allowed for 3 weeks of reading. I didn’t plan to carry a book with me to Northern Ireland, so I figured I’d browse it before leaving, and check it out again later in the summer.
Browse, I did not. More like devour.
See, I’m a Gryffindor. Pottermore says so. Every quiz I’ve taken says so. And, perhaps most convincingly, the sorting hat says so (I was sorted at the Touring Exhibition of HP about 10 years ago and was selected to try it on. Those ahead of me were all but Gryffindor… I was the only one out of 5! One of my greatest moments, clearly). And even though Gryffindors are all about bravery, courage, and loyalty… I often lean more towards perfectionism and it’s something I’ve been working on since December. In a different post, I’ve shared how I read several great nonfiction titles, but here are links to the top ones for you to explore:
Present Over Perfect
Dare to Lead
Daring Greatly
Becoming (Yeah, it’s a memoir. But it’s inspiring, y’all. Especially the part about her young adulthood)
When
I’m now a Brené Brown devotee, and can’t recommend enough that you follow her on social media, watch her TEDtalks (Vulnerability & Shame) and the Netflix special… not here to bash anyone but Brené is an intellectual step-up from the “Girl Wash Your Face” trend. But this isn’t a Brené appreciation post so…
What hooked me with Brave, Not Perfect was how the advice is direct, her stories are relevant, and most of the suggestions are applicable. The chapters made for quick reads, allowing me to fly through it. I jotted down quite a few notes from it, including:
- Look for your ledge
- Start before you’re ready
- Ask, “And then what?”
- Support the Sisterhood
My favorite section was about the now infamous mantra, “Nevertheless, Persist!” in which we’re reminded:
- If you have something to say, say it.
- Reclaim your time
- Promote yourself
- Spit out the salty lemonade
- Articulate your agency
Don’t want to give too much away here, but I do encourage anyone in that same season of trying to self-examine and build courage to give this book a try.
I’ll make 2 disclaimers:
- This is for adult readers, or at least older teens. Reshma isn’t afraid to drop in some swear words which doesn’t bother me at all, but definitely makes this for HS libraries or for parents looking to raise braver daughters (or, of course, self-education!)
- This book isn’t perfect. Like the title, it’s brave in its content, but I found some parts were a bit too “Girls are ____ & Boys are ______.” To the point of her book, I get why she used some of these arguments but boys can be indecisive and concerned about what others will think… those aren’t traits that are reserved for socially ingrained in girls.
If you don’t have time (or maybe need motivation) to read Brave, Not Perfect, I encourage you to watch the TEDtalk by Reshma, below.
More books I plan to read in the near future:
Creative Confidence
Creativity, Inc.
Essentialism
Braving the Wilderness
Bird by Bird (writing)
The Magic Words (writing)