Review of 'The Truth About Us' by Brant Hansen

:: I paid full price for my copy of 'The Truth About Us'. This is not a purchased review or review for trade. ::



Full Disclosure: Even after all the personally affronting, bracing-like-cold-water truths he felt compelled to share in 'The Truth About Us', Brant Hansen is going to have to try much, much harder to get me to "unsubscribe" from his personal brand.



However, I cannot keep this man's books on my shelves - here's why:



As a long time listener and reviewer of previous books, I can't look away from the puppet-driven Hansen train as it plows happily through our comfort zones and leaves us asking pitifully for more accordion.



In 'Unoffendable', Brant checks the mic: "Testing, testing, 3...2...1 - you have no right to be angry but you're not the only one"



In 'Blessed are the Misfits', Hansen raises the house lights: "Look around, all quirky, jaded and flawed souls, we do not misfit alone."



And now, in 'The Truth About Us' Brant Hansen looks our vulnerable misfit crowd in the eyes and delivers hard truths as he best knows how, factually and to the point: "You guys aren't actually all that good" he says "but... turns out,  neither am I."



2nd Full Disclosure: The truths in Brant's new book aren't new truths, but they are often unpopular, untouched truths, the kind with a tendency to scald once spilled. Along comes Hansen, puppets for pot-holders, willing to handle and spill for all.



This brings me to the one running problem I have had with Hansen's books reaching all the way back to 'Unoffendable' and the reason I don't keep his books on my shelves to this day:  I cannot  keep his books on my shelves. 


Oh, sure - they visit, maybe spend spend the night or a few, but I can never keep them shelf-stable for long. Before I've reached the end, I always have someone- usually several people- in line to share them with. No matter how many copies I've purchased, they always find their way into another's hands.



I recommend a digital copy of your own and a lending copy for friends.



As Brant has pointed out, we are prone to forgetfulness. Keeping a copy of Brant's words around is like having a letter of encouragement in your pocket from a sincere,  on-demand friend.





'The Truth About Us' contains bad news, but Bran't won't leave you to squirm alone... and he won't leave you without some very good news, too.

Kate's Writing Challenge #3

This week's task was to write 5 sentences then leave them alone (til they come back home...to roost in my brain with stories that won't be denied)  

This is another activity reminiscent of all that I learned in #TheArtistWay but only practice sporadically.  I have come to think of these little fragments as 'ThoughtStrings" and keep a folder for them on my phone, too. 

I wrote more than 5, but I think its okay. 

Five Sentences For Kate: (+ 2 for me) 

1. The unexpected  arrives on an ordinary day, one just like all the days before it.


2. Dear Eve, the lowhanging fruit is always bitter. 


3. Her walls went up, invisible but fully electrified by the tripwire of his careless words. 


4. Nunjas deflect temptation by habit, using nunchucks to keep their suitors away. 


5. Along the way, you choose more carefully because hindsight is ever before you. 


6. LutherAnn half expected to turn into a pillar of salt as she thumbed through the old scrapbook one last time before throwing it away; the trash would be picked up tomorrow morning. 


7. Heaven is this simple declaration: 'We will all be friends.' 

Kate's Writing Challenge #2

Writing Task #2 was to choose a writing 'accountability' partner, so I tagged my friend Brad over @ BradWhittington.com.



This fella has been Encyclopedia Brittanica (A-Z)  to my wide eyed wading out into the world. Once upon a very long time ago, he was just a random human in a chat room for grown-up PK's, but now he is a true confidant and my go-to guy when it comes to writing.



He is working on a new project, so I stay accountable and in the loop. It's working out nicely.

That Kate is full of good ideas.