It’s been a  while since I talked about what I’ve read lately.  So here are a few of my recent reads from December and January.

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead | Type: Self-Help and Spirituality | My Rating 5/5 – I really enjoyed this book.  It had been on my list since hearing about Brené Brown’s TED Talks on vulnerability and shame.  It was a pretty quick read where researcher and professor, Brené Brown discusses vulnerability and its association with shame.  The book illustrates how vulnerability can be applied to your personal and professional interactions with people.  She also delves into lessons learned from her personal experiences.  I definitely appreciated the candid way Brené delves into her own issues and how she has worked to overcome them.  It shows that she really takes her research and work to heart in the way she lives her life.  This book reminded me to be compassionate with people because you never know what challenges others are facing in their personal lives. Here is one quote that resonated with me from the book:

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.” – Brené Brown

Eleanor & Park | Type:  YA/Romance | My Rating: 4/5 – This book was another good read.  I liked Eleanor & Park, more than my first Rainbow Rowell book, Landline.  I think Rainbow Rowell excels at writing teen characters.  The story set in the 80’s in Omaha is about two teens who don’t quite fit in at their high school who gradually fall in love. But falling in love is the easy part.  Staying together despite the personal issues Eleanor is reluctant to share with Park is the hard part.  If you enjoy YA novels (like I do) and haven’t read Eleanor & Park yet, it’s a good read.

Joy the Baker: Homemade Decadence | Type: Cookbook | Rating 5/5 – Yes there is a cookbook on my reading list because I tend to read cookbooks cover to cover as I would a novel.  Then I actually pick out recipes to try.  If you are a fan of the Joy the Baker blog, her latest cookbook won’t disappoint.  I only wish I had tried more than one cake recipe from the book before I did a detox and cut back on the sweets, dairy, and gluten in my diet…But if you have a sweet tooth and a desire to bake something tasty, this is a good cookbook to pick up!

What have you read lately?