Must-Read Books for Grief Support: Essential Reads for Healing and Comfort
Here's a list of books that can help you cope with grief.
It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand by Megan Devine
This book provides validation and support for those experiencing grief, offering practical guidance on navigating loss in a society that often struggles to address it. A friend lost her mother and said this book really helped her so I got it when my mom died. It’s now my go to sympathy gift because it talks about the real deal of how American culture forces us to act like grief doesn’t impact us longer than those 2-3 bereavement days. She also has great social media content that always makes you feel like someone else really understand what you are going through.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Joan Didion's memoir explores her experiences of grief following the sudden death of her husband and the illness of her daughter. It offers a raw and honest portrayal of grief and the complexities of mourning.
The Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses including Health, Career, and Faith by John W. James and Russell Friedman
This book offers a structured approach to processing grief and moving forward after loss, providing practical exercises and insights to help readers navigate their emotions. As an Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist this is the book that guides my work with clients.
Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
Co-authored by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and psychologist Adam Grant, this book explores resilience in the face of adversity, including grief. It offers personal anecdotes and research-backed strategies for finding strength and joy after loss.
The Art of Losing It: A Memoir of Grief and Addiction by Danusha Goska
This memoir chronicles the author's journey through grief and addiction following the sudden death of her beloved husband. It offers a candid and compelling exploration of loss and the search for healing.
The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller
Francis Weller explores the transformative power of grief and offers insights into the importance of rituals and community in the grieving process. Drawing on mythology, psychology, and personal anecdotes, this book provides a holistic approach to healing from loss.
Permission to Mourn: A New Way to Do Grief by Tom Zuba
Tom Zuba shares his personal journey of grief following the deaths of his young wife and two-year-old daughter. Through his story, he offers readers permission to grieve in their own way and challenges conventional ideas about mourning.
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer
While not specifically about grief, this book offers profound insights into the nature of suffering and the importance of letting go. It provides practical techniques for finding inner peace and resilience in the face of life's challenges, including loss.
These books offer a range of perspectives and approaches to coping with grief, providing valuable support and guidance for those navigating loss. Need help working through your grief, please contact me.
Grieving with Grace,
Monique Hayes, M.Ed, Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist
