Books Recommended by Brené Brown
The Power of Starting Something Stupid
Richie Norton
Source: "Already getting me in a heap of trouble. As I was reading it, I made notes to Steve (my husband). When I was done I handed it to him and said, 'This could change the way we live.'" - Brené Brown
Imperfect Courage
Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared
Jessica Honegger
Source: "Both an invitation and a challenge to bravely show up for ourselves, for the people we love, and for the strangers that we will one day call family. I say, ‘Amen!’" - Brené Brown
The Soul of Money
Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life
Lynne Twist
Source: "A life-changing read. With warmth, honesty, and storytelling, [the author] turns everything we think we know about money upside down…It's the book we all need right now." - Brené Brown
Touchpoints (2 books)
T. Berry Brazelton
Source: "You really can’t guide your children if you don’t understand what’s happening developmentally." - Brené Brown
Be the Boss Everyone Wants to Work For
A Guide for New Leaders
William A. Gentry
Source: "It’s clear that [the author] has a deep understanding of what it takes to develop strong leaders. This has become required reading in my organization." - Brené Brown
Self-Compassion
The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself
Dr. Kristin Neff
Source: "[The author]'s powerful research and her ability to explain how self-compassion affects our everyday lives makes this book a transformative read." - Brené Brown
The Moment of Lift
How Empowering Women Changes the World
Melinda Gates
Source: "An urgent call to courage. It changed how I think about myself, my family, my work, and what’s possible in the world." - Brené Brown
Positive Discipline (5 books)
Jane Nelsen Ed.D.
Source: "For new parents, I love [this series]." - Brené Brown
Love, Henri
Letters on the Spiritual Life
Henri J. M. Nouwen
Source: "[The author's] timeless words and loving spirit are quiet prayers that will forever live in my heart." - Brené Brown
Culture Renovation
18 Leadership Actions to Build an Unshakeable Company
Kevin Oakes
Source: "One of the most comprehensive playbooks for culture change in companies I have ever seen." - Brené Brown
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho
Source: "There's a great quote in [this book]: When you're on the right path the universe conspires to help you!" - Brené Brown
The Lightmaker's Manifesto
How to Work for Change without Losing Your Joy
Karen Walrond
Source: "The right book for the right time, written by someone who is the embodiment of light and joy." - Brené Brown
Why Won't You Apologize?
Healing Big Betrayals and Everyday Hurts
Harriet Lerner
Source: "Turns out that most of us are pretty terrible apologizers—this really changed me." - Brené Brown
The Book of Qualities
J. Ruth Gendler
Source: "I’m so glad I found this book. It was published 25 years ago and it’s magical." - Brené Brown
The Dance of Anger
A Woman's Guide To Changing The Patterns Of Intimate Relationships
Harriet Lerner
Source: "Helpful for couples in that 'I’m screaming and he’s/she’s shutting down' cycle." - Brené Brown
Everything Is Figureoutable
Marie Forleo
Source: "Smart, funny, and as brilliant as it is straightforward. LOVED it!" - Brené Brown
Marriage Rules
A Manual for the Married and the Coupled Up
Harriet Lerner
Source: "This is the marriage book we’ve been waiting for!" - Brené Brown
The Ride of a Lifetime
Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
Robert Iger
Source: "Leadership gold—you won’t forget the stories or the lessons." - Brené Brown
Becoming
Michelle Obama
Source: "Good for my heart, my head, and my soul." - Brené Brown
Black Magic
What Black Leaders Learned from Trauma and Triumph
Chad Sanders
Source: "Daring, urgent, and transformative." - Brené Brown
FAQ
Did Brené Brown actually create this list?
No. This reading list was curated by our editors based on confirmed mentions from Brené Brown, the sources are made available under each recommendation.
Which of these books would you recommend reading to someone looking to improve their life?
It depends on which area you want to improve. Out of these book recommendations, "The Ride of a Lifetime" makes you a better CEO, while "Marriage Rules" improves your marriage. If you want a general book, "The Alchemist" has the highest number of recommenders, so it might be a good place to start in this library. Either way, we recommend you explore and look at Amazon reviews to get a better idea.
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