Living Brave: Lessons from Hurt, Lighting the Way to Hope

Living Brave by Shannon Dingle is a searing memoir that chronicles the author's journey through loss, trauma, abuse, spiritual reawakening, and deep pain. Dingle, a writer and disability advocate, shares her experiences of surviving sexual abuse and trafficking as a child, which left her with lasting disabilities and PTSD. She also recounts the tragic day when her husband, Lee, was killed by a rogue wave while they were on vacation with their six children, four of whom are adopted and have special needs. She describes the aftermath of his death, the challenges of being a single parent and a widow, and the ways she coped with her grief and anger.

In addition, she explores her faith shifts that put her at odds with the evangelical church that had been her home for most of her life, and how she learned to embrace a more inclusive and progressive Christianity. She also discusses how she learned to use her voice, take a stand for justice, especially for marginalized communities, and honor the wisdom of her body, which had been violated and shamed by others. Living Brave is a powerful and inspiring book that gives women permission to wrestle with difficult topics, enact change from a place of strong faith, and find hope in a hopeless world.