everyone is beautiful celebration + giveaway

Update 02.21.09

Congrats to Christine G. and her beautiful friend Dawn! Shoot me an email with your address so I can ship your signed books.

I loved all of your comments. We need to stop and celebrate beauty more often - it's gotta be good for the soul!

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Woot! Woot! Katherine Center's wonderful new book Everyone Is Beautiful launches today!

Here's the teaser from the back cover:

Lanie Coates’s life is spinning out of control. She’s piled everything she owns into a U-Haul and driven with her husband Peter, and their three little boys, from their cozy Texas home to a multiflight walkup in the Northeast. She’s left behind family, friends, and a comfortable life--all so her husband can realize his dreams of becoming a famous musician. But somewhere in the eye of her personal hurricane, it hits Lanie that she once had dreams too. If only she could remember what they were.

These days, Lanie always seems to rank herself dead last—and when another mom accidentally criticizes her appearance, it’s the final straw. Fifteen years, three babies, and more pounds than she’s willing to count after the day she said “I do,” Lanie desperately longs to feel like her old self again. It’s time to rise up, fish her moxie out of the diaper pail, and find the woman she was before motherhood capsized her entire existence.

In the end, Lanie must figure out once and for all how to find herself without losing everything else in the process.

Here's what people are saying:

“What a clear-eyed rendering of the grimy, exhausting, beautiful mess that is early motherhood! I laughed, winced in recognition, and cheered wholeheartedly (sometimes out loud) for Lanie as she struggles to learn how to love everyone enough and still give part of herself to herself.” (Marisa de los Santos, author of Belong to Me)

"Katherine Center's writing is so honest that I spent a lot of time thinking 'I'm so glad it's not just me.' The book is also so funny that I found myself laughing hysterically in almost every chapter (which is rare and precious). This book is for every woman who has ever struggled to find, hold on to, and nurture authenticity in the midst of that wild, messy, wonderful thing called motherhood. EIB is the perfect book club book. It's also the kind of book that you hand to a close friend and grin when you say, 'I think you'll relate.'" (Me - as in B. Brown)

To celebrate I'm giving away two signed hardcover copies! Here's how you can win: Leave a comment telling us about one person who you believe is truly beautiful. The winner will receive two signed copies - one for you and one for the beautiful person in your life.

Like Katherine's main character Lanie, I see beauty in everyone so it's really hard to pick one person. But over the past two days I've been amazed by the beauty of one of my oldest and dearest friends - Dawn.

I've been in San Antonio for the past two days working with teachers, parents, and students on authenticity and resilience. It's been fun to watch Dawn in her work environment. She brings her generous and loving spirit to everything she does - her relationship with her husband and her two precious boys, her friendships, and her work. As a social worker she sees a lot of struggle, yet she always manages to maintain a sense of balance, perspective, and hopefulness. She laughs a lot (and even snorts when something is really funny). I think she is beautiful. I can't enter my own contest, so I'm just going to buy her a copy of Everyone is Beautiful!

If you want to read more about Katherine, I interviewed her last year - you can read it here.

I can't wait to read your posts! If you want to let your beautiful person know that you've nominated her, you can click on the button below that says "email article." Wouldn't that be a lovely surprise?

I'll close the giveaway on Thursday night.

Let's celebrate beauty!

Comments

[karen]

my friend Christine is the most beautiful person I know, inside out. She is one of those people that helps you and then thanks you for giving her the opportunity to help you. She's kind and generous and honestly the nicest person ever.

[Rebecca]

I nominate my new friend, Sarah. This book sounds perfect. She and I are both new moms who recently moved to a new place for our husbands' all-consuming careers as new doctors. Our conversations frequently center around how we can remain "ourselves" when faced with raising our families and supporting our exhausted and stressed out husbands (whose jobs are of such importance that anything we do for "us" seems frivolous!).

[Heather]

I nominate my aunt Christine. She is an amazing woman who makes me want to be a better person and (in about four and a half months) a better mother. She is easy going and spiritual and makes her own bread. Her entire family is just fun to be around, and a lot of it has to do with her calm attitude. Go Christine!

[jen]

My friend, Diana... she is it. She is beautiful inside and out.... seriously, she is the girl that lights up a room and people want to know who she is... But, since she is one of my best friends, I can tell that the sparkle that is normally in her eyes is not there anymore. To everyone else, she is happy, she is in love, she has the perfect marriage. I know the truth. For four years she has been married and trying to have a baby. And in those four years, she has started to lose herself, lose hope, and she is now possibly going through a separation. I remind her of the happy girl that is inside of her and encourage her to find herself again. I hate to see her go through such a hard time. And, I find it interesting that the tables have turned in our lives... the shoulder to lean on has switched from hers to mine.

[Christie]

I recently met Laura after she'd asked me to photograph her daughter. Immediately upon meeting her, I found myself in wonder. Her personality, confidence, faith, quietness, everything about her I found truly...pure. Laura and her husband lead a local church and her faith in God allows her to be all that I found her to be, and all that she shares with so many of us that attend this church.

I've not known Laura very long, but her caring disposition is something I found amazing. When my great grandmother passed away over the weekend, she was the first one who called me to let me know she was there if needed, and that she'd be praying for the healing of my heart.

Laura is truly beautiful, inside and out.

[Sammy]

I nominate a dear old friend, Judy Bevilaqua. She's has been a mentor to me ever since I met her over 20 years ago. She has a beautiful smile that lights us whenever she sees you. She has always been a woman intent on being authentic and real, loving life, seeking knowledge and a deeper faith. When she turned 60 this year, she decided to raise money for orphans in Romania. She did it by challenging herself and swimming Hood Canal, which is a very challenging swim in frigid waters in the Northwest. She is inspiring, humble and knows the blessings of having amazing women she can call friends.

[Erica]

I nominate my beautiful friend Jen. She's a teacher, a mom, an amazing wife, an advocate for human rights, and an amazing friend.

She's pregnant, again, and continues to show that she is the strongest person I know. Her first pregnancy had many challenges and her son was sick for the first two years of his life and now he's doing better but still sick every week... I do not think I've heard her complain once, she calls often to see how I am doing, even though her own life has been down right stressful. Today I had lunch with her because she took her precious vacation time to see me. I could see how tired she is. Teaching full time with a toddler while pregnant.

Don't even get me started on what an incredible educator she is...

She has taught me how to be a good friend. I adore her.

[deb]

My best friend, Loretta, she's beautiful to me. What's so beautiful about her is how she listens, she listens with her whole self and she never judges. She also has a wicked sense of humor. She's my anchor, when things spin out of control, as they are wont to do, I know I can always trust her to tell me the truth.

[Sylvia Villarreal]

I nominate my grown daughter, Kate, who truly is a daily example for me of living with awareness, integrity and joy. I only wish I could claim credit, but must confess that this young woman, who embraces all, is her most tender with the most vulnerable, and seems to exhale compassion as naturally as inhaling oxygen, is far beyond my evolution at her age.

I only rejoice that she finds me a valuable companion and hold onto the hope that one day I will turn out much like her! As much as I respect her, I love her even more.

[meri]

The beautiful person in my life is my girlfriend Caralyn. A single mum of a gorgeous 8 year old boy, she has a spirit that not many people have. She is probably the most giving person i have met with the least in her life and she continues to be a great support to all around her. She has been through heartaches that only she knows and that her smile never gives it a way. So i would love for her to receive something back for all that she has given. She inspires me, she is intelligent, resourceful and loving. She has only ever spoken to me with love and never in judgement. She is always in my prayers and i hope that all her dreams come true. Love you Caralyn with all my heart and thank you for always being true and kind.

[tracy g]

I have a precious little student this year who makes my day when she walks in the classroom. She is always kind and the picture of quiet strength. She doesn't rush to share her ideas but when you ask her, she has the most insightful answers. She gives me hope for the future and I hope that Sophia is whatever it is she wants to be when she grows up. I hope to meet her in her grown-up life.

[Nicole]

Oh my! I have to read this book!!!!! I'm so right in the middle of this exact type of journey right now! (well, my husband isn't trying to be a musician, but other than that it's exactly the same)

My friend Jeanette is beautiful. She takes everything life throws at her in perfect stride. She somehow manages to be a single, working mom, care for her two beautiful daughters and, is actively involved at church and still eek out a little time for herself to sing, act, and paint. She is amazing!

[krista]

my friends Carolyn and Katie. they can win both copies, i'll buy my own!! ;)
they are my ROCK(s). affectionately called my BFF and IBFF (internet BFF).....they are helping me laugh through some DARK times. continually offering love, support, wisdom, and laughter. BEAUTIFUL women indeed! i only wish we lived in the same state.....

[kazari]

My beautiful mother. She is all gentleness and patience - but having raised four children to adulthood (if not quite out of the house), she has an amazing sense of what is right and wrong for her. She is so strong.

[krista]

btw....i loved 'bright side of disaster' so i'm really excited to get my hands on this.....
AND 'love walked in' was one of my favorites for 2008, so the fact that the other gives this one a shout out.....way cool.

[Dianna]

My beautiful friend is Karla.
- beautiful because she dares to show the cracks and flaws of her everyday life which frees up people around her to be cracked and flawed
- beautiful because she's multi-layered - she refuses to be the paper cut out doll we sometimes feel pressured to be
- beautiful because she colors outside the lines and inside the lines and simply adds color wherever she goes

[Kelly]

My mother is beautiful. I used to think of her as just a mother. But then I moved out and had children and I realized all she did for us. Of course every mother does a lot for her kids. It's what we do. But it's humbling, brings me to my knees, knocks the wind out of me, to think back on the sacrifices she made (worked third shift, took a part time evening job, did daycare, etc) all to give us the world. And we didn't even realize it. Or say thank you. It was just what our life was. So I think beauty is not just in looks, although she is beautiful on the outside, but beauty is being a good person on the inside and I don't know that we truly become beautiful until we can give more than we take.

[laurel s.]

I adore my friend CHRISTA more than she even knows - she is so beautifully balanced, loving and kind. She cares for the littlest ones (including my kids!) - to us grown-ups in her life. She is committed to healthy living and has inspired me with her recent athletic accomplishments - got me off the couch and back into running a while back. Her personality draws you in, she sees beauty in all of life, she is centered, her laugh is infectious, her smile just plain adorable (big dimples). She is an amazing friend, mom, wife and professional. I trust her implicitly. Although from the book summary I sound more similar to the main character (often drowning in the midst of family and work responsibilities/commitments) - haven't felt quite like "me" since having kids 9 years ago (!) - I suspect that CHRISTA will enjoy the book and identify on some level...whether we win the books, or not, most importantly, I want CHRISTA to know how much I love and respect her & actually look up to her. Thanks for this opportunity to gush a bit about my dear friend...XOXO-L

[Candace S]

My mom is beautiful. She is so giving; she would happily do anything for anyone. She is often asked if she is my sister (seriously); yet she doesn't see her own beauty. My dad died 10 years ago and she hasn't gotten out much; I would love to see her get out of her shell and enjoy the rest of her life.

[Wanda]

My sister, Joan, is beautiful. She has an optimistic spirit and giving heart through it all. She has been through hell the last year with her husband's death and she remains strong through the grieving. I love her. Today is her birthday, too!

[Lynn]

I would have to say my young 21 yo daughter. She has amazed me at every turn. And even though I have had struggles since she was born, giving up my dreams and my better body, I so love her optimisim and light. She is so anxious to have children and is almost graduated to be a teacher. But I'd like to read this book and have her read it too. So that maybe she could avoid loseing her light while giving it to others. Thanks for the giveaway!

[Christine G.]

Just one beautiful woman? My life is richly blessed with so many beautiful women that it's hard to pick. When I was reading the description my friend Dawn's lovely face popped into my head so if you're gonna make me choose....

Dawn - a beautiful spirit, compassionate, giving, loving, wife, mother of twin 2 year old boys, intern, friend, serves on a non-profit board and has days (especially rainy stuck inside ones) like most moms that she questions her life choices. She is a real woman who laughs and cries, sings and shouts, knows and questions and yet continues to strive to do her best for her family and the world. I am lucky to call her friend.

[Cheri Andrews]

I nominate my sister Deanna. She is in a place now similar to the character described in the book, having left her family and friends in the northeast to move to Mississippi for her husband's career. She now works full-time in her husband's medical practice as his bookkeeper at no pay, trying to dig them out of a financial mess, while still maintaining a household and raising two children who are both dyslexic and require a lot of extra help with school. Through it all she remains loving, loyal, and willing to drop everything at a moment's notice to help a friend in need. I know she is struggling right now with how to cope with her situation, but I'm probably the only one who sees that part of her.

[marlis]

Wow this was a hard question. Had to do some soul searching. But in the end it was between my mother and my sister in law. Of course my mother is beautiful, she lived through raising me. My sister in law is the most beautiful person I know. She glows in her faith, she is always there for others, and she has raised three wonderful children, buried one of them, lived through their messes and cleaned up as best she could, stood by her husband of 35 years faithfully in right or wrong and is everything that I aspire to be in a human being. She is kind, giving, knows no harsh words and gives the best hugs in the world. She's the best part of being married to my husband and I tell her often. Well, not that it's bad being married to him, but she was, is and always will be a blessing I count in my life.

[Kelly]

My pick would have to be my friend Colleen. She is always ready to listen, help and validate whatever is going on. She shares freely her own journey and process and makes me feel 'seen' as a human being.

[Irene]

I nominate my dear sister, Claudia. She is so beautiful and has no idea. Being the "big sister" in a family of eight hasn't been easy. She is alway so willing to give and so caring. Her husband (who is only 40) recently had triple by-pass surgery. Naturally, she rose to the challenge with aplomb. Because she is (and has been) overweight by society's standards, she has never seen herself as beautiful. It breaks my heart. She naturally has hair that women spends gobs of money to get; she has a smile that can light up a room (eat your heart out Julia Roberts); HUGE brown eyes, and a wickedly funny sense of humor. Oh, and did I mention she has two Master's degrees and is smart as whip? But the outside beauty is nothing compared to the inside. You will never meet a more kind, caring, and supportive person. Wow, I find that I am getting teary-eyed as I think of my dear sister. I do so wish she knew how beautiful she is.

[Kelly]

I would like to nominate my beautiful friend Katie. She is a new mom and has one of the most beautiful spirits I know. Her husband's job requires travel for only a few months at a time so it has been hard for her to feel grounded and settled. And I know it isn't easy for her to be away from family and friends. She has been my best friend since midddle school and is the funniest, most generous person I know. I think this book sounds inspirational and I would love for her to win a copy.

[Lynn]

I am truly blessed to have many beautiful people in my life.
Immediately coming to mind, though, is my beautiful daughter. The "beauty" of her beauty, though, is in its innocence through her. She doesn't have a clue how beautiful she is, inside and out, and becomes embarassed at the mention of it!

She makes me feel more beautiful just being around her!

thanks for the post and opportunity to post!
Lynn

[Trish]

I nominate Meg Casey. I met Meg through this blogging world and luckily for me we met in person and became friends. She is a B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. being. Her writing is extraordinary and while I had no expectations she was even lovelier in person, an extension of her writing. Check her out: www.megcasey.com She sailed into my life and she has provided an ocean of calm ever since.

Beauty is as beauty does and Meg is a gem.

Patricia Dolan
patriciadolan@comcast.net

[Ursa]

I nominate my friend Tammy. As a new to the country, a new mom, and husbands with crazy jobs we bonded over the daily stress. She is making me want to be a better person, to do good every day, to see only good in people, to be a better mom and at the same time find the time to be creative in order to not lose myself. My favorites are our phone conversations which can last forever while our boys scream in the background.
Thank you.

[Stacey D]

My mom is beautiful inside and out. She is the most giving and selfless person I know. I feel incredibly blessed to have been raised by her and am now able to call her friend. She amazes with with her strength and courage. I hope and pray that I am able to be the same for my girls.

[Missy K]

AH, my niece Tori. Of course she is lovely in the way that a nearly nineteen year old is lovely and new, but she is beautiful because she is discovering what she is passionate about, and the things she is passionate about are worthy of her youth and energy, and she is moving in the strength of what she believe in and wants to fight for. Takes my breath away.

[Sarah]

My friend Stephanie...she's just made a huge decision that goes against a lot of preparation and reasoning but that takes her true goals and desires into account. It's been beautiful to see how solidly she holds to this and how resolute deciding has made her.

[katie]

thank you krista. i love you.

i think krista is beautiful. if anyone is 'fish her moxie out of the diaper pail' right now, it's her. to watch a free spirit shed all expectations and find her wings is a beautiful thing. she is a light to those who love her and she doesn't even know it.....yet.

[Lisa]

I nominate my best friend and sister in law Meghan. Just recently when I was going through a difficult time and I admitted to her some big life mistakes I had recently made....and let me say that I was embarrassed and at a point where I just needed to spill it to someone...she said "there is nothing you could do or say ever that would make me not love you as much as I do already" that simple sentence really put me over the edge with appreciation and made me feel accepted in a way that I never had. No one had ever said that to me before, the complete unconditional love that I needed at that time and she knew it somehow. Let it be said that at this time in her life she had just had her first baby and was feeling overwhelmed and stressed out in her own life but was able to step out of her craziness and support me in a way that I didn't expect and that I needed so desperately, I don't think I will ever forget it. You know, I haven't even told her how much that meant to me and she probably doesn't even remember but for me that wa a life changing moment and I feel lucky to have heard those words from someone who means so much. Thanks for the opportunity to write this one down! Lisa

[Katherine Center]

Thank you so much for this terrific post, Brené! It is so amazing to see all these responses and hear about all the different ways we admire and love the beautiful women in our lives. Hooray, hooray!!

[sarah]

Beatuiful inside and out, my sister Amy. We have become friends in our adult life and I have watched her struggles and her perseverance to rise above. She has always put her kids first and facing divorce, her home burning down and custody battles, she finds time to be an encouragement to others. She was able to surrogate for a family and birthed them beautiful twins and struggled with that weight gain for a long time, but is training to run a marathon in the spring now. And she encourages me on my own journey to find myself and be true to who I am. We both have had 4 children of our own and talk often of our identity versus the identity of mommy, it is something we both wish to harness. She is truly beautiful and i dont think she knows it or believes it. But she has a spark and a light that everyone around her recognizes.

[AuntC]

I believe I am truly beautiful.

[Heather B]

My sisters Maureen & Amanda are beautiful through and through. They are both mothers now and it is fantastic seeing their beauty grow into motherhood. They have beautiful souls.

[Sarah N]

I am getting married in June--which is amazing in and of itself--but a particularly wonderful part of the whole process for me has been getting to celebrate/spend time with my group of girlfriends. I am truly blessed to have an incredible circle of friends who have been supportive, helpful, understanding, jusy generally wonderful as they have shared in my excitement (and stress!).

It's hard to nominate just one, but I am going to nominate my friend, Mary. Mary has been one of my best friends since our freshman year in college, 13 years ago...she's fun, upbeat, energetic--just generally uplifting to be around. She is now pregnant with her first child and I could not be happier for her. She will be a beautiful mother.

[Valerie]

The person I think is truly beautiful is my mom. She has always been spectacular in my eyes as a mother is to a child but over the past few years I have able to see her as a breathing, grieving, laughing, court show obsessed, sweet, amazingly strong and playful person that she is. I am proud of the new relationship we have created and to cal herl my mom as well as call her my friend.

[Whitney Johnson]

I am nominating Emily Anthon; she has unbelievable moxie -- and every time I'm around her I am happier -- she sparkles.

Thanks for the suggestion on Everyone is Beautiful AND Firegirl.

If you're looking for another mother-daughter book club book, check out The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry. I read a pre-release copy -- both Kirkus and Booklist gave good reviews. I loved it!

[Danielle Hernandez]

I'm lovin the book already! Can't wait to read it! I nominate my mother Danielle. Single Parent who raised me the best she could. Struggled to do better in life and with limited resources suceeded. Has been teaching for 20+ years and still going strong. Survivor of domestic abuse and courageous to share her story. Does mission trips on her spare time, always generous. Gives, Gives, Gives, when so much has been taken! She's so focus on me and my daughter, that I'll like her to focus on herself. This book might just do the trick...Bonus: I'll get one too, cause I'm so in need of RELIEF! Danielle

[Jennifer]

Wow....It's hard for me to pick just one... But I'm going to go with my Mom... She's amazing. She always knows what to say to make me feel better or worse if I need to put in my place. She's almost never wrong...it's uncanny. But the best part is that she doesn't ACT like she's always right and would never throw it back in your face. When I was younger I desperately tried to prove her wrong ...but now she's the first person I call when I need therapy or guidance. She is always giving of herself and has a wonderful perspective on life. She's beautiful inside and out.

[Michelle]

My friend Kandy is taking care of her husband who has Stage IV pancreatic cancer and her adult son who still needs financial support, while at the same time babysitting my kids so my husband and I can have a night out and celebrating every birthday and special occasion that occurs in her workplace of 25 people. She's made an elaborate birthday cake for every single birthday my two children have had, plus she brings over new games and toys for them to play with when she babysits for FREE! She takes care of everyone else, and I think she's the most giving and beautiful person I have ever met. I wish I could repay her for just half of what she's given my family.

[Michelle]

I think my sister is truly beautiful. I know it sounds corny, but somehow she manages to raise 4 beautiful girls under the age of 8, teach special education to middle schoolers, be a loving wife, a great sister and a friend. Some days are a bigger struggle than others, but overall she is doing wonderful. She is also an avid reader, and would probably LOVE this book, since she can probably relate!!

[michelle]

my nomination goes to my beautiful friend, jen. a natural beauty, this woman could give a rip about outward appearance and yet glows every minute. i think it is due to her passion for all living things (especially furry ones) and overall zest for life. i admire her child-like curiosity and drive for FUN! i can trust her with my soul and the soul of my kids. and i swear, the girl doesn't seem to age a day in her life! she just left my home after a 5 day fun fest visit. i am still drying the tears away hours after her departure.
oh...and I am reading The Brightside of Disaster - and it is WONDERFUL. boy i hope that neighbor is as wonderful as he seems :)

[tammy g]

I'm celebrating Miggie. I've known her since college, she was in my wedding, and now we encourage each other thru motherhood. She laughs at my jokes and gets things my dear husband doesn't. She's like the sister I never had. Love her. Love her lots!

[sharon]

My friend Rochelle is the most beautiful woman I know, an amazing friend and mother. She has been by my side unconditionally through the worst 4 months of my entire life, holding the tissues and giving me support and encouragement, crying with me, laughing with me and getting the ice cream out of the freezer!
As many other women will know there is nothing more important than a BFF!
Love your blog by the way.
Keep on rockin 'sisters' :-)

[Shalet]

My friend Bridge is a truly beautiful person. She is passionate, compassionate, an amazing mother and artist. And today she is feeling blue ... worn down by all the trappings of everyday life. I'd to send her a little treat, a pick me up, to let her know she is indeed beautiful - inside and out.