Brené Brown's Reading List

Research professor at the University of Houston and bestselling author of Daring Greatly, Dare to Lead, and Atlas of the Heart. Hosts the Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead podcasts and maintains a curated reading list at brenebrown.com/library.

Open in WellRead Daily app →

Brené's Nightstand — Curated Library (2024)

Books Brown personally features on her ongoing brenebrown.com/library page. Compiled across 2022–2024 captures of the page.

Source: brenebrown.com

Conscious Change: How to Navigate Differences and Foster Inclusion in Everyday Relationships

Jean Kantambu Latting et al. · 2024 · Buy on Amazon

Democracy Awakening

Heather Cox Richardson · 2023 · Buy on Amazon

Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life (Revised)

Richard Rohr · 2024 · Buy on Amazon

Sage Warrior

Valarie Kaur · 2024 · Buy on Amazon

The New Menopause

Mary Claire Haver · 2024 · Buy on Amazon

What It Takes to Heal

Prentis Hemphill · 2024 · Buy on Amazon

Bittersweet

Susan Cain · 2022 · Buy on Amazon

Atomic Habits

James Clear · 2018 · Buy on Amazon

The Power of Regret

Daniel H. Pink · 2022 · Buy on Amazon

Finding Me

Viola Davis · 2022 · Buy on Amazon

Peak Mind

Amishi Jha · 2021 · Buy on Amazon

The Four Pivots

Shawn A. Ginwright · 2022 · Buy on Amazon

Inclusion on Purpose

Ruchika Tulshyan · 2022 · Buy on Amazon

Illogical

Emmanuel Acho · 2022 · Buy on Amazon

Impact Players

Liz Wiseman · 2021 · Buy on Amazon

The Lightmaker's Manifesto

Karen Walrond · 2021 · Buy on Amazon

Why Design Matters

Debbie Millman · 2021 · Buy on Amazon

Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story

Bono · 2022 · Buy on Amazon

The Love Prescription

John Gottman and Julie Gottman · 2022 · Buy on Amazon

Immunity to Change

Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey · 2009 · Buy on Amazon

Favorite books (2021)

Favorite books recommended by Brene Brown, as compiled by radicalreads.com. Source article: https://radicalreads.com/brene-brown-favorite-books/.

Source: radicalreads.com

Just Mercy

Bryan Stevenson · Buy on Amazon

"This book is a call to individual and collective courage. Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, writes, ‘Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. My work with the poor and the incarcerated has persuaded me that the opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice.’ His work changed me."

Why Won’t You Apologize?

Harriet Lerner · Buy on Amazon

"Lerner’s books have shaped my life and my career. I thought I was good at apologizing and making amends, but this book challenged me in an unexpected and profound way. Imagine a world where we move away from blame and defensiveness and toward real accountability. This is the road map."

The Book of Forgiving

Desmond and Mpho Tutu · Buy on Amazon

"Of all of the topics I’ve studied over the past two decades, forgiveness has been the most complex and difficult. Here, Bishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter take us on a journey that has the potential to change lives and the broader culture."

Creativity, Inc.

Ed Catmull (also rec’d by Janelle Monáe ) · Buy on Amazon

"I opened this book seeking answers about the relationships between creativity, vulnerability, and courage. I didn’t expect it to profoundly change the way I work. This is one of the most important leadership books of our time."

Teaching to Transgress

bell hooks · Buy on Amazon

"This book sat next to my bed the entire first year I taught at the University of Houston. Hooks’ idea of “education as the practice of freedom” shaped who I am today. Whenever difficult conversations about race, class, or gender begin to surface, I remember what she taught me: If your students are comfortable, you’re not doing your job."

The Heart of Christianity

Marcus J. Borg · Buy on Amazon

"I jokingly call myself a ‘Borg-again Christian.’ Born into the Episcopalian church and raised Catholic, I bolted from organized religion when it got too hard to find God — when politics and certainty replaced mystery and faith. Years later, this book brought me back. It’s a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when the church commits itself to love and justice above all."

Suggest an update?