Brené with Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and Ashley C. Ford on Hungry Hearts

In 'Wild', Cheryl Strayed recounts her journey hiking the Pacific Crest Trail alone, a trek that spans from the Mojave Desert to Cascade Locks, Oregon. The book chronicles her physical and emotional struggles as she confronts her past, including the death of her mother, the breakdown of her family, and the end of her marriage. Through her experiences with nature, encounters with various people, and reflections on her life, Strayed finds a path to healing and self-discovery. The memoir is known for its vivid descriptions, honest portrayal of grief and personal growth, and the author's unique narrative style that interweaves past and present events.

In this book, Brené Brown shares her research on the power of wholehearted living, a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness. She outlines ten guideposts to help readers cultivate courage, compassion, and connection. Brown emphasizes the importance of recognizing and overcoming shame, fear, and vulnerability, and instead embracing authenticity and self-love. The book is designed to help readers move away from perfectionism and towards a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Somebody's Daughter is a memoir by Ashley C. Ford that delves into her difficult upbringing and her often fraught relationships with her parents, particularly her father who was incarcerated for most of her childhood. The book explores themes of love, forgiveness, and self-discovery as Ford navigates poverty, puberty, and a traumatic experience of sexual assault. It highlights her emotional reunion with her father after his release from prison and her journey to understand and confront his past crimes. The memoir is a poignant portrayal of adversity and the human capacity to overcome it, emphasizing the power of empathy and resilience.

The Glass Castle is a memoir by Jeannette Walls that details her nomadic and often impoverished childhood with her dysfunctional family. The book recounts her experiences growing up with an alcoholic father, who was charismatic and imaginative but also dishonest and destructive, and a mother who was a free-spirited artist but neglectful of her children's needs. Despite the challenges, the memoir highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of the Walls children and the unique perspective on life they developed. The title refers to her father's unfulfilled promise to build a dream home, a 'glass castle,' for the family.

In 'Between Two Kingdoms,' Suleika Jaouad recounts her life-altering experience with acute myeloid leukemia. Diagnosed at 22, she undergoes extensive treatment, including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. The book is divided into two main parts: her time in the 'kingdom of the sick' and her journey back to the 'kingdom of the well. ' After recovery, Jaouad embarks on a 100-day, 15,000-mile road trip across the country to meet people who supported her during her illness. The memoir explores themes of survivorship, identity, and the challenges of reentering the world after a life-threatening illness.