You are a Badass (Deluxe Edition): How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

Self-help books aren’t usually my thing. I’ve read some, but it isn’t the section of the bookstore or the library I gravitate toward. Jen Sincero may have changed all that. With her book You are a Badass, Sincero hits right at the heart of what those of us in flux need to hear: that we are already badass, and all it takes is a little work and self-examination to make that badassery manifest in our lives.

The voice of the book is sincere, funny, relatable. With each anecdote from her personal life, Sincero illustrates that the advice she is giving isn’t just blowing smoke: it’s the same advice she took herself. As she recounts being broke and aimless, struggling to have the life she really wanted, you can see yourself–if, by chance, you’re in that same boat. She writes about giving in to the things she used to mock, namely self-help books and religion (what she calls Source Energy). As she makes the case for trying anything and everything that might set you on the right road, she’s giving expletive-laden pep talks, which, honestly, I appreciated. I’ve heard the “bad things happen to good people” and “when one door closes, another one opens” one too many times. So, I loved Sincero saying the impediment to getting what you really want is either “A) You won’t let yourself have it, or B) You will let yourself have it, but you’ll be rill f***ed up about it.” Amen.

If you’re in the need of a jumpstart, something to remind you that your authentic, individual, totally irreplaceable self is, in fact, badass, then this is the book for you. I’m on my third reading, and it’s prompted me to get going on several projects I never thought I’d actually accomplish. Don’t know yet that you’re badass? What are you waiting for? RUN to get this book.