If I Had a Book Club

photo (2) Occasionally I will run across online book clubs and who can forget Oprah's Book Club?  I have friends who have been in book clubs, and I even attended one meeting of a friend's book club.  And I think they are a great idea....yet I have never really jumped into a group, online or otherwise.  But....if i were to have a book club for self-help books or psychology/therapy books, I know 3 books that would go on the top of my list!  Here they are:
  1. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown.  She has some awesome videos online that are worth your perusal (Google her if you haven't seen them).  She also has an equally awesome book that was just recently released that I'd recommend as well.  But, what I love about The Gifts of Imperfection is it is a quick read.  It is something like 130 pages long and you could easily read it in a couple of hours!  And I love how it is so practical....each chapter gives you some key points and action steps!  You can read this book over and over.  Her writing style feels comfortable and real!  We will all relate to her and, in turn, relate more with each other!  I don't recommend borrowing this book because I think you'll want a copy of your own to return to periodically! 
  2. Why You Do the Things You Do by Dr. Tim Clinton and Dr. Gary Sibcy.  I would classify this book as highly based in Attachment Theory.  These two authors really apply attachment theory to adult relationships.  In my practice, I used to mostly focus on children and attachment.  I love how this book really shows how we develop relationship styles.  As you read this book, you will see yourself and loved ones described.  You may have a few a-ha moments here and there.  The first half of the book really goes into the different relationship styles, while the second half gives you some ideas on how to heal if you have insecure relationships.  This book is a Christian book, which will be important for some readers.  I believe the information is equally helpful for Christians and non-Christians alike.
  3. Anger:  Deal with It, Heal with It, and Stop It from Killing You by Dr. William DeFoore.  I recently had the opportunity to hear Dr. DeFoore speak and absolutely loved his presentation.  I loved how he normalized feeling angry and how it can be healthy.  We so often are taught NOT to be angry by our caregivers and society.  This book teaches us how to be angry and all the emotions that go in with the anger.  This book is about so much more than anger.  It is about emotional healing!
What books would you add to this list?  Have you read any of these books?  What are your thoughts?  I would love to hear from you.  As I wrote this blog post, each of these books were under $12.00.  Any one of them would be a great investment, in my humble opinion!