Entertainment
11 Books That Will Remind You How Strong You Are
It's difficult to go through every day feeling your best. Sometimes you may feel overwhelmed by work duties, parenting, or even the logistics of holiday travel. It happens. But when you're feeling down, there are plenty of great books that will remind you how strong you are.
Whether you like self-help guides, fiction, or memoirs, these reads will help you get your mojo back in no time. By looking at brave women who have overcome homelessness, ventured into the wilderness alone, and succeeded in male-dominated industries, you can learn from their grit and determination to keep on keeping on. If nothing else, these books may offer perspective and insights into your own situation.
So when you need a little pick-me-up, look to books for support. They are endlessly patient and ready for a conversation whenever you are. Whatever struggles you face, from heartbreak to loss to money struggles, you can find someone else who has faced you same issues and come out on top.
If you need practical life advice or just a strong figure you can look up to for the time being, these books have you covered. After all, feeling down and hopeless from time to time is universal, so authors everywhere have addressed those feelings in an effort to help lift you up.
1'Rising Strong' by Brené Brown
Sometimes embracing your weakness and vulnerability is the fastest path to strength. Brené Brown's Rising Strong examines the power of emotional openness for everyone from business executives to parents.
2'Breaking Night' by Liz Murray
I had the pleasure of hearing this author give a speech a few years ago, and her story is truly moving and inspiring. Liz Murray's Breaking Night follows her journey from teenaged runaway to Ivy League grad.
3'Carry On, Warrior' by Glennon Doyle Melton
If you feel overwhelmed by the expectation of marriage, motherhood, and everything else in your life, remember you aren't alone. Carry On, Warrior is a funny and uplifting book designed to help you let go of the pursuit of perfectionism.
4'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed
Ever dream of just getting away from it all? Cheryl Strayed's Wild covers the author's impromptu trek through a thousand miles of wilderness alone. Her bravery and determination on this journey allowed her to heal from family tragedy.
5'Lab Girl' by Hope Jahren
Hope Jahren's Lab Girl is a study of women in science, the beauty of the natural world, and the nature of friendship. She writes about her research journeys around the world and insights into plant life with a bright and lively prose.
6'Rise of the Rocket Girls' by Nathalia Holt
If you like stories about the kick-ass women of history, then this read is for you. Nathalia Holt's Rise of the Rocket Girls takes a look at the brilliant women who helped make American space exploration a possibility.
7'Grit' by Angela Duckworth
If you need some inspiration to reach your goals, then Angela Duckworth's Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance can help you get there. Duckworth looks at the ways determination and persistence can drive people to succeed, and how hard work and perseverance may be more important than innate genius. It's an excellent lesson in the art of not giving up.
8'The Flamethrowers' by Rachel Kushner
The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner involves New York, motorcycles, and an artist's colony in SoHo. The heroine Reno will definitely help you reconnect with your inner badass.
9'A Great and Terrible Beauty' by Libba Bray
In 1895, Gemma is sent from India to an English boarding school, where she has to cope with family tragedy, her new surroundings, and a potentially supernatural destiny all at once. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray shows how Gemma responds to her impossible circumstances in this engaging read.
10'Push' by Sapphire
When it comes to stories about overcoming all the odds, Push by Sapphire cannot be ignored. Precious deals with a second pregnancy, illiteracy, and tremendous family issues all at the age of 17.
11'Speak' by Laurie Halse Anderson
Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak follows Melinda's troubling journey through high school as she tries to swallow a terrible secret. But by the time she learns to speak up, Melinda's story is powerful and heartbreaking.
