'Reading The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson made me brave during a time when I was about to pursue being a future stepmom and a wife-roles I never really imagined inhabiting,' says Grub Development Manager Alyssa Mazzarella. YAWP Intern Connor Hager describes Nightshadeby Andrea Cremer as 'the first book that I ever read with LGBT+ characters, and the first book that showed me how I could combine my love for animals and writing.' Grub Instructor Kelly Dalke says, ' Julie Orringer's collection, How to Breathe Underwater, made me feel brave enough to write adult literary fiction with a child or adolescent protagonist!' To that end, for this edition of our 'Books That Made You Series,' we asked you what book made you brave. After scrutinizing our highly scientific social media poll, we present to you this non-exhaustive list of books that inspire bravery in us.

Here at GrubStreet, we are strong believers in the power of literature to inspire, educate, and embolden. Bravery can be contagious, and we need it now in order to speak up, to defend ourselves and others, and to move forward together into a better future. Christine Blasey Ford's courageous testimony- where it comes from, how it surges and supports us, the doors it opens. Bravery is on our minds in the wake of Dr. In the 'Books that Made You' series, we're taking a look at the books that made us who we are.

Behind the Launch Lab: Craft & Commerce.

What are brave characters in literature