Let's All be Brave Review

Let's All be Brave by Annie F Downs
Visit the author's Website HERE 
Publisher: Zondervan
Publishing Date: July 29, 2014
Goodreads Summary:

Annie F. Downs admits she's not exactly the bravest girl in the world. She still cries sometimes when she leaves her parents' home in Georgia, she's never jumped out of a plane, and she only rides roller coasters to impress boys. But Annie knows that courage resides inside each and every one of us, and she's on a mission to triumph over her own fears while encouraging the reader to do the same. As a single young woman, writer, speaker, and blogger, Annie Downs shares her journey toward bravery with honesty and humor. Using wonderful stories from her own life, contemporary real-life examples, and fascinating historical and biblical references, Annie encourages readers to grab hold of the brave life that they desperately desire. How often does fear hold us back from the very things we most want to taste, touch, and experience? The call to be brave isn't just for one person---it's for everyone. Let's All Be Brave is more than a book, it's a battle cry. Annie challenges us to live boldly, she calls us to step into those places that require courage, and she gives us the help to take the next step forward---even when it's scary. This non-fiction, essay-driven book opens the door to many different views of courage---nudging, encouraging, and inspiring readers to be brave whenever given the chance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Download two free chapters direct from Goodreads or buy it from CBD in paperback for $9.99! (9/29/14)

My Thoughts:
I loved this one. Whoops! Let me backtrack and say spoiler alert: I loved this one. :) Annie Downs has such a unique writing voice. I've read her blog posts many times before and seen her lovely face at the InRL conferences. This book I just knew would be a hoot. Downs is honest and truthful and best of all, funny. I literally found myself laughing out loud at her antics, but then a few pages later, seriously touched. I think the two words that best describe Annie Downs are: Authentic. Relatable.

Most complaints I have run across on Goodreads has been about how different her life is from the reviewer's. My life is different from Down's, but her life matters to HER. I am shocked that people would put the book down because they didn't think Downs was 'brave enough'. She was doing things that were big and brave for her and her personality and life. I can certainly admire that! And while her life is different from mine, Downs still feels completely relatable. Her feelings are real and her thought process felt so...me. I was instantly able to connect and get into the matter of the book.

If anyone knows me, they know that I am not bold and definitely not brave. I'm an introvert, and INFJ, a viewer of life and people but not a participant. If I could, I would never change my routine and life would always safe and comfortable. My idea of adventure is trying a new restaurant on date night. That is ME and I am fine with that.  But Downs encouraged me to take a tiny step everyday, to live in God, to find a small way to be brave and expand my comfort zone. To find my yeses and noes.

One tiny complaint about the book: while reading it did feel slightly disorganized within the chapters. The connections were still there from chapter to chapter, but from section to section within the chapter sometimes it felt disjointed and unconnected.

The last chapter was just beautiful, completely thought provoking. It was the perfect way to end the book. Overall, Downs' book was fantastic. It had the right balance of funny and seriousness and the right amount of challenge without seeming overbearing. 'Let's All be Brave' is a book I could easily recommend to anyone, married or single, old or young. 4.5 stars for sure. Now is the best time to pick up a copy; Bloom Book Club just announced that 'Let's All Be Brave' is their pick for the season!! I can't wait to do a re-read and watch all the videos with Annie Downs. Hop over to their website and check it out.