The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters

Written by Joanna Gaines

Narrated by Joanna Gaines

READ BY THE AUTHOR

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Imagine if all the worn-out, untrue, painful chapters of our lives started to quiet, and the beautiful, unique pieces of who we are were to rise. Imagine if the stories we tell brought us back to our true selves, back to one another. Imagine if they spoke of how we loved and lost and tried our best. How we saw it all, even the parts that hurt.

Joanna Gaines' new book, The Stories We Tell, invites us on an authentic and deeply vulnerable journey into her story—and helps shine a light on the beauty of our own—guiding us to release the weights that hold us back so we may live and share our story in truth.

We've all dropped anchor in places that suited us for a time: a city, a perspective, a lie we mistook as truth. This book is an invitation to a kind of life where you know how to hold what you believe—about yourself and the quiet worlds behind the people you pass—with gracious and open hands. To see your story as greater than any past or future thing, but for all the beauty and joy and hope it holds today.

It’s an invitation to take stock of the chapters you’ve lived—the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly—glean what’s gold, and carry only that forward. Let it slow your feet and steady your life-in-motion so you can see where you stand today from a new point of view. No longer through weary or uncertain eyes, but a lens brimming with hope.

—————

"The only way to break free was to rewrite my story. Because something would happen every time my pen stopped: It was like my soul was coming back to my body. Like the deepest parts of me that got knocked around and drowned out by all the crap I let the world convince me about who I was came back to the surface. And what was left was only what was real and true. I was, finally, standing in the fullness of my story. I felt hopeful. I felt full. Our story may crack us open, but it also pieces us back together.

We all have a story to tell. This happens to be mine—every chapter a window into who I am, the journey I’m on, and the season I’m in right now. Because this is my story, maybe you won’t always relate, or maybe it will feel like you’re looking in a mirror. Whatever we have in common and whatever differences lie between us, I only hope my story can help shine a light on the beauty of yours. That my own soul work will stir something of your own. And that by the time you get to the end of my story, you’re also holding the beautiful beginnings of your own.

A story only you can tell. And I hope that you will."
-Joanna

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harper Select
• Release date: Nov 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781400333899

Joanna Gaines

Joanna Gaines is the co-founder of Magnolia, a New York Times bestselling author, editor-in-chief of Magnolia Journal, and creator and co-owner of Magnolia Network. Born in Kansas and raised in the Lone Star State, Jo graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Communications. It was an internship in New York City that prompted her desire to discover how she could create beauty for people. In a big city unknown to her, Jo always felt most at home whenever she stepped inside the cozy and thoughtfully curated boutique shops, which inspired her to open a shop of her own in Waco, Texas. Alongside her passion for design and food, nothing inspires Jo more than time spent at home with Chip and their five kids--whether they're messing with recipes in the kitchen or planting something new in the garden.

Reviews for The Stories We Tell

[Diamond · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Really wanted to finish this book?.
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I love Joanna!! So let me explain.
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A lot of thoughts & ideas were right - work things out by facing them, not toxically burying. ??
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I was surprised at the astonishing lack of God/Bible mentioned, but it seems obvious (to me) and I hope she reads this, or I can talk with her, some day:
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Identity.
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So many false/satanic lies of the enemy, she claims as part of who she is, and assumption for everyone. False! I hope nobody buys into that. It's not confusing as to why this area of identity is such a struggle for her and others, because we're told it's part of who we are. It's not.
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There's a lot of false religion wrapped up in some of these concepts - shadow work (aka, embracing demonic curses), and she literally said to embrace the dark emotions like grief. Lean IN? No!!!! I don't want to assume her faith either way, but for all people: start with giving God who you are, problems, sin, brokenness & all - EVERY part of your life to God. 100%. Agree to enter in the covenant He made available for us, to TRULY walk in freedom, as the old flesh dies. The Holy Spirit will take you on a beautiful lifelong journey, revealing wisdom, as our submission to His perfect will brings the peace, healing & freedom we so long for, that is only found in Him?.
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When we do this, who we are - our IDENTITY comes back into alignment with the truth & purpose He created in us - to be HIS: sons & daughters of THE Most High King, adopted into a PERFECT familial line of royalty. It's not imposter syndrome, it's who we were created to be all along. And we get to soend the rest of our lives learning good things about Him, that we get to claim as our own. ??
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Not a darn thing about life is easy no matter our choices, but trade the complex lies of the enemy, for the simple challenges and truth laid out plainly in God's Word... THAT'S where the true healing & freedom comes in. Step by step!
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We don't need to carry trauma or generational curses our whole lives. That's not our portion, as Believers, as Sons & Daughters of a royal priesthood. We have a NEW inheritance, better than anything we could imagine. The closer to Him we get, the more we get to live it out. Who told you, you had to wait for death for more?
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Maybe you've been through something that was triggered in an instant, & you noticed that you carry it, ever since - insecurity, for example. Many of the things we all deal with were passed down through family lineage (if not, maybe we opened a door for it to enter our lives), and our ancestors/parents didn't walk in the Spirit & truth of God to conquer. Maybe they didn't know better, but we can. Start now. Be the chain breaker!!! Be THAT change, and go with God in His grace & mercy to set the captives FREE ❤️‍?❤️‍?❤️‍???? I'm rooting for YOU!!!

[Brooklyn Barker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved every word of this story and I’m going to listen to it again. Thank you for the transparency and the reminder that any season of life has reason to rejoice and be grateful. I want to be intentional about every moment! Thank you for sharing your story and insight!

[Grace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I found this book very relatable and the author speaks so humbly and honestly about her life, her success, and the self criticisms we have about ourselves, but the story is that everyone has their own personal experience and that we can all learn to have more fun and live life a bit. An enjoyable audiobook read by the author.