Growing Brave: Words to Soothe Fear and Let in More Life

by Donna Ashworth

Growing Brave by Donna Ashworth is a powerful collection of wisdom and poetry that inspires strength and courage during life's most challenging moments. This book is a guiding light for anyone seeking to overcome fear and self-doubt, embracing life and love in the process. Perfect for those searching for meaningful gifts for her.

#1 Best Seller in British & Irish Poetry

Finding strength in vulnerability. Growing Brave, bestselling author Donna Ashworth’s new book, offers a heartening collection of poetry that speaks directly to those feeling lost or overwhelmed. This new book of poems by Donna Ashworth is ideal for fans of women’s poetry, and makes an excellent choice for anyone looking for poems about women empowerment.

Challenging fear and embracing life. Every day, we encounter thoughts and emotions that leave us anxious, fearful, and doubting our self-worth. Growing Brave provides the gentle encouragement needed to challenge these fears and embrace the good in life. If you're looking for calming down books or gifts for her, this collection is sure to resonate.

Inside, you’ll

Poems that soothe fear and self-doubt, offering comfort on difficult days. Inspiration to face life's challenges with renewed strength and courage. Heartfelt reminders to embrace life and love, even amidst the toughest battles. If you liked other poetry books for women such as, Self Love Poetry, The Sun and Her Flowers, or Wild Hope, you’ll love Growing Brave.

Genres: Poetry, Self Help, Nonfiction, Mental Health

336 pages, Hardcover

Published October 22, 2024

Reviews

[Linda Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I’m honest, I had no intention of reading Growing Brave at the moment, but I couldn’t settle to a book. I’d begun and discarded several that normally I’d have immediately loved, but I couldn’t get into them. So I picked up Donna Ashworth’s Growing Brave and there, immediately, was just what I needed.

I thought I’d read Growing Brave from page one in order, but as soon as I read Donna Ashworth’s recommendation to open a page at random I did just that and she was right. It took me straight to Warm Breeze which articulated how to accept the vagaries of life with equanimity, and immediately I found myself relaxing. Indeed, Growing Brave is a powerful book that truly does seem to have an innate power to guide and support the reader.

Part of the strength of Growing Brave comes from the author’s introductory note and her Afterword. Bookending the content as they do, these two aspects feel akin to a physical hug from Donna Ashworth. It is as if a friend is supporting the reader and giving them strength through a virtual hug. Add in the simple, organic line drawing accompanying the poetry and short prose pieces and there’s a calming effect that is surprisingly profound.

That said, the true power in Growing Brave comes through the simple honesty underpinning the entries. Seeing life’s difficulties like the mud that helps us grow like a plant for example, is relatable and easy to grasp but is nonetheless encouraging and inspiring. I think what works so well is the balance between acknowledging our innermost frailties and providing solutions or advice without patronising the reader. Much of the poetry is written in the first person so that Donna Ashworth is prepared to lay herself bare and render herself vulnerable which has the effect of giving readers permission to be honest with themselves too.

I think Growing Brave is one of those books where the author would be happy for us to forget about it. Donna Ashworth wants us to be emotionally independent and strong, but for those times when we need a little extra help, Growing Brave is supportive, inspirational and emotionally uplifting. It’s heartfelt, accessible and a friend waiting on your bookshelf. I absolutely loved it. It would make a wonderful gift for any reader.

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, relatable poetry. So many that meant something to me. I have many more of Ashworth's to read.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a reason one of this wonderful woman’s beautiful poems was read at my granddads funeral. Her way with words is just something else, she can bring hope with a single sentence and bravery with a word. A joy to read.

[Sara Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a joy to read, Donna's words touch everyone.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful words in a collection with something for everyone. So many beautiful poems that will speak to each of us in different ways on different days.

[Tea Leaves and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me Poetry is an accompaniment through difficult times and Donna Ashworth's 'Growing Brave' landed at the exact moment that it was needed. I opened the book once a day at a random page and found something that saw me through a difficult time, in every single poem. Donna herself recommends reading at random and that worked perfectly for this collection. She starts the book with a strong introduction and ends it with a poignant after-word and both of these things added an extremely personal touch to the collection that was much appreciated.

This is the sort of book for the times when we are required to be emotionally strong but whether you're there or not quite yet, there are words to soothe and see you on your way.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are poems of Donna's that are ah-ha moments and touch me so deeply. There were quite a few in this book I have already shared with loved ones.

...and then, there's the rhyming. It comes and goes within some of the poems. Most of the time there is no real rhythm to it. Sometimes the second and third line will rhyme. Sometimes there will be four lines in a row...and then it changes again. It can be very jolting and pull me out of the poem. The rhyming also can be words that make me cringe. They do indeed rhyme but were forced to fit and make sense in an awkward way for the sake of the rhyme. There were too many times these things happened in this book.

[Mike Kanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a mark of how much I like a book that after reading a few pages as a free download, I went and bought a hard copy that I could mark up and tab.

I had not heard of Ashworth until I read an interview with her in Writing magazine. Although many of her poems and thoughts seem ot be pitched to women, the sentiments apply to anyone who feels beaten down by life.

This is a book to be read slowly and savored.

[Sarah Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Donna Ashworth although I have several others yet to read. Beautiful words, I have read a few pages most days. I felt I needed to read Growing Brave first, as I have been going through a few things and needed a little bravery. Beautifully written and moving to read, I am going to read her next book in the same way.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poetry which speaks to all of us. There’s been a real change in poetry over the past decade, it’s become more accessible and social media has helped that. Personally I think poems about our shared experiences and the human condition, help us find strength and courage on the days we need it. I would recommend this book for anyone experiencing grief, it nourishes the soul.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I recommend opening a page at random each day. Somehow the book seems to know the message you need to read.” - Donna Ashworth

I adore this collection of poetry. So calming and reassuring in a chaotic world.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always liked the concept of poetry more than the reality of it, but this book really piqued my interest so I decided to give it a try and ended up loving it! As I am sure is usually the case, some of the poems resonated more with me than others - but I now have many sticky tabs in my copy of favourites to refer back to. Donna's words have a beautiful vulnerability, and each poem had the ability to make me feel seen, supported and uplifted. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys poetry, or is wanting to explore it for the first time.

[Miriam Morgans · Rating 5 out of 5]

⎝⎝𝔾𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝔹𝕣𝕒𝕧𝕖⎠⎠
By Donna Ashworth @donnaashworthwords

Donna Ashworth has a gift.
A gift to use words to connect, to uplift, to embrace, to reasure, to release, to give courage.

Her poems are beautiful, heartfelt, and true.


It's ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! 🤓

[Jennifer Mary Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poetry book that has brought poetry to a new audience with an emphasis on wellbeing and processing life's emotions

[Charlotte Exton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is my bible, I adore her poetry

[Shawnie Cheatham · Rating 5 out of 5]

My book of the year. Incredible.

[Mrs K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly inspirational and has helped me start to translate life.

[Lizzie Pink Shoes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful set of poems, so many resonate with me.

[Cathi Kulik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poerty book. Some resonated with me, some didn't. What you might expect from a poetry collection.

[PattyS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most beautiful poems ~

[Blanche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ebook I love everything I have read by this author. Not everyone speaks to me but the ones that do are pretty special. There's something here for everyone!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna has this amazing, wonderful, brilliant way with words. She's a genius, in eyes.

[Melanie Glass · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟3.5

As with all poetry anthologies, some of the words and poems resonated much more than others.

[Liz Tideswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been dipping in and out for a few weeks. Finished today.

[Joan McEnaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

some of these were really gorgeous and perfect ❤️

[Alison Cairns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book of poems by Donna Ashworth. As always, her words speak to me. I've read the book through and now dip in and out. Wonderful.

[Yi Nga Yu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of poems that inspires courage and strength in a time of weakness.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful thing, but it'll never be truly 'finished'.

[Brenda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another deep and heartfelt book of poetry! I love her beautiful soul and how she shares it through her writings

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book of poems to dip in and out of. Useful for tough times.