I loved this book! Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand alone by Brené Brown was so inspiring and hard-hitting. Dr. Brown masterfully mines the research to find what has made our society so disconnected and divided despite social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram that promise to “connect” us.

Her quick and engrossing read teaches us that we are more and more divided today into factions of people with like-minded thinking, yet these still do not deliver on the promise of connection. Oftentimes it leaves us in a place of fitting in with our group, rather than belonging as an individual with our own thoughts on matters that may fall outside of the “boxes” our given affiliation might try to push on us.

She suggests that we move towards each other, rather than hating on other factions from afar to promote collaboration and foster real community. She teaches that we need to confront “bullshit” with civility and oppose an “us versus them” mentality that refuses to listen or even engage in discourse. She advocates that we hold hands with strangers and embrace the humanity of others, especially others who are hurting. Finally, she challenges people to live with a strong back, soft front and wild heart, where we can stand up to bullies and evil, but do so with sensitivity to those around us, and live free in a world full of cages and stereotypes.

Dr. Brown builds on her “BRAVING” themes of previous books further expounding on trust and distrust and how to foster it while seeking belonging in the wilderness.

One thing I loved about the book was the unique voice she communicates with that challenges you to think and act differently. You can’t continue in the same path once you encounter Dr. Brown’s work. She opens minds to the reality of the world around us and confronts our preconceptions, urging us to make a change to see the world change around us.

This book will change your life; read it!

– Jason