This month’s book pick is the amazing BRAVE by Rose McGowan. A memoir and manifesto that spares no detail on the truth about the entertainment industry, and empowers everyone to be brave.

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Festival of Marketing where Rose McGowan was the headline speaker and it was fascinating to hear her personal story of empowerment and fighting for change. I remember watching Rose on-screen in Charmed, an American fantasy drama when I was younger and was instantly hooked. The one thing I love about these conferences is that they bring together people from a range of industries with inspiring stories to tell – that’s how we learn, grow and spark change.

Before the session I didn’t know much about her at all. At the end of the talk I was rushing home to order her book and here we are.

Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan is an actress, writer, director and activist where she led a movement to break the silence and put a spotlight on injustice in the entertainment industry and beyond.

She was born into a religious cult in Italy and then later escaped with her family and moved to America where her experiences were completely jarring. At a young age, she was introduced to Hollywood but in her mind, it was just another cult.

Rose became well known as an actress for starring in lead roles in The Doom Generation, Scream and Planet Terror as well as playing a leading role in American TV series Charmed.

My life, as you will read, has taken me from one cult to another, the biggest cult of all: Hollywood. BRAVE is the story of how I fought my way out of the cults and reclaimed my life. I want to help you do the same.

Rose McGowan

BRAVE

Cult member. Runaway. Captive. Starlet. Victim. Sex Symbol. Justice Seeker.

BRAVE is a heartbreaking, raw and honest account of Rose’s extreme life growing up in a cult, encountering abuse and finding herself back in another cult… Hollywood. She takes you on her journey from childhood through to life today, not missing a beat and explaining in some depth the challenges she’s faced and overcome.

She lays all of her cards out on the table, something which I saw at the Festival of Marketing as well, to be transparent and tell the truth. I’m not going to lie, it is hard to read in parts but at the same time is an absolute must-read. I couldn’t put it down.

This story just shows what the power of speaking up and using your voice to evoke change can achieve and demonstrates the necessity to make this happen in today’s age. I just want to thank Rose for sharing her story and for starting the worldwide conversation.

I would love to know if you guys have read this one – leave your comments below!

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