Full of Myself

Black Womanhood and the Journey to Self-Possession

By: Austin Channing Brown, Ashley C. Ford - introduction

Narrated by: Austin Channing Brown, Ashley C. Ford

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In a time of rising authoritarianism and attacks on personal freedoms, the New York Times bestselling author of I’m Still Here chronicles her efforts to live as her full self in a society that wants women—and Black women in particular—to do anything but that.

“A book that resonates and asks us to dig deep—not with judgment, but so that we better understand ourselves and the world around us.”—Phoebe Robinson, bestselling author, founder of Tiny Reparations Books

“In these pages, Austin Channing Brown shows us how to survive and thrive even now.”—Glennon Doyle, bestselling author of We Can Do Hard Things

As an antiracism educator and writer leading through America’s cycles of racial unrest, Austin Channing Brown reached a crossroads. “I love my work,” she writes, “and I am tired. We are tired. Tired of protesting. Tired of ‘saving democracy.’ Tired of educating and explaining.” She began to ask, “What do I deserve, not just as a citizen but as a human?”

Full of Myself answers that question. Weaving personal narrative with perceptive social commentary, Brown offers a look at the mechanisms that limit who Black women are allowed to be—at work, at home, in community—and the defining moments when she decided that self-possession is the justice work she had been made to undervalue. From skinny-dipping in the ocean to becoming a mom, she delves into the drama of life and invites readers to begin defining themselves not as empty vessels to improve the world, but as a people born free in spirit, in hope, in joy.

For Black women seeking to understand the true roots of their burnout, or for anyone wondering what it means to live joyfully in a hostile world, Full of Myself is a breath of fresh air and an invitation to full humanity.

It’s an extraordinary story

I can see myself in this and I’m sure others can too. It’s empowering and opens the door for more storytellers to come to the forefront and write their stories. Owning yourself and your fullness isn’t taught to young black women or women in general. We’re taught to shrink and to hide and I love how Austin busts the door wide open on the notion that we have to. We don’t owe anyone anything but we owe it all to ourselves. Thank you for existing Austin

Bravery

Very appropriate honesty and courageous truth telling. Thank you deliberately writing this not for me but for you and black wonen

The Shower Scene

Hearing the author tell her story brought out so many emotions. She was brave, unsure, and persistent. I applaud her for advocating for herself, for seeking help, for accepting help, and for doing the deep reflective work in order to arrive at a more vibrant and adventurous sense of self.
The shower scene with her step mother was horrific. I wished I could have helped her and dealt with her step mother. It’s a harsh reminder that we must heal before we bleed on the new who never hurt us.
Overall, it was a good book. I read it with a book club.

Incredibly honest, so beautifully written. Austin deserves all the awards

I’ve never read a book where the author is so real, so raw, so vulnerable in her honesty. It made me feel like I am not alone. Though I am not a black woman, I related to many of the things Austin writes. Perhaps because I am a survivor of sexual abuse, perhaps because I struggle with anxiety and depression, perhaps because I am also a mother, perhaps just because I am a woman. But everything she says about white women is true and I see these dynamics play out daily in my white skin. What she says about white women is true. And white people in general. White supremacy is real. Racism is a systemic disease that white people pretend not to see. our system is broken, but it was built that way. To benefit white men and the patriarchal Capitalism that Austin describes. I am in awe of your honesty and strength Austin. Thank you for writing with such bravery. I wish every human would read.

I really enjoyed reading Full of Myself.

It felt like a conversation with a new friend — like being invited into a group chat where the reflections are deep, the humor is familiar, and the honesty is refreshing. I loved the topics she explored and the insight she offered.

A beautiful read. 💜