BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
Books saved me. I have always been an avid reader, but when I lost my husband, I became a student of grief. I leaned in and learned as much as I could, believing that knowledge is a huge part of the healing process.
I frequently reference resources in my podcast that were helpful to me. I want to share these resources with my listeners, along with a brief introduction on how I found them to be helpful. Many of these are available in libraries, bookstores or on-line sites. Most were books given to me by friends and may make a loving gift to someone you know who is suffering loss. I merely want to provide a link for purchase and am not receiving any type of compensation from purchases. I hope you find these helpful. I’d love to hear from you if something speaks to you.
01
The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief
Author: Jan Richardson
This book of blessings ministered to my grieving heart in a way that nothing else did. Jan Richardson’s writing would reach into the depths of my sadness and loss, expressing what I could not articulate myself. The opening blessing was used at Matt’s Celebration of Life.
02
What Loss Can Teach Us: A Sacred Pathway to Growth and Healing
Author: Beth Taulman Miller
Beth, a college friend of mine, takes readers through a sacred pathway to growth and healing. It offers guidance on healthy grieving, clean anger, shedding layers of shame, the importance of community, embracing our bodies and exploring the sacred surrender to what is rather than what isn’t. I loved how this book offered practical ways of healing and especially loved the novel spiritual practices at the end of each chapter.
03
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament
Author: Mark Vroegop
Growing up in a Protestant tradition, I knew very little about biblical lamentation. Half of the Psalms are lamentations. This book does a great job of introducing lament and the power of honest wrestling with the questions that come with grief and suffering.
04
The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days
Author: Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie
I love the witty realness of Kate Bowler’s thoughts and writing. She cuts through the Instagram models of life to reveal what everyone’s life is really like. Like The Cure for Sorrow, in the early days of mourning, poetry and blessings spoke to my hurting heart in a deep way. In this book of blessings, the authors often captured what I was feeling but unable to articulate. I would choose one or two blessings to read based on what I was going through at that moment.
05
Job’s Choir
Author: Charles E Poole
This short book of essays poignantly, profoundly and concisely shines hope during loss. It is focused on the life of Job, a biblical personality who suffered much. It does a beautiful job of helping one answer the common questions of why and how. I found each essay helped me move through my grief.
06
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
Author: Brene’ Brown
I talk about this beautiful book frequently in my podcast. Brene’ beautifully groups common emotions together; then defines these words, providing necessary nuances between similar words. Labeling our feelings is a critical step in expressing those emotions in a healthy way. Many people are not accustomed to acknowledging their feelings and can become stuck in their sadness or anger. Emotions are how we experience life, so it is important that we don’t suppress what we are feeling. This book helped me to name my emotions. Plus, it’s a beautiful book.
07
The Book of Forgiving
Author: Desmond and Mpho Tutu
Though this book is about the path to forgiveness, I found it to be an approachable, helpful read for grief healing. Oftentimes a person’s grief may include the need to forgive someone or something. Without working through forgiving ourselves or others, this will limit our access to healing.
08
Grieving a Suicide: A Loved One's Search for Comfort, Answers, and Hope
Author: Albert Y. Hsu
If suicide is part of your traumatic grief journey, you may find this book helpful to work through many of the questions and feelings related to this particular and traumatic form of loss. The author’s father took his life, and this book delves into his personal journey of loss and healing.
09
Dying to Be Free: A Healing Guide for Families After a Suicide
Author: Beverly Cobain and Jean Larch
I found this book much later in my journey of healing from my husband’s suicide. The authors talk so openly about what brings a person to this act of finality by sharing stories of those who have attempted suicide. This helped me to understand some of the factors and feelings that may have led to this unbelievable act.
10
A Widow's Journey: Reflections on Walking Alone
Author: Gayle Roper
For those who find themselves a party of one, this devotional book may speak to your heart. I received this as a gift from a store owner who was also widowed. I love the honesty of the author as she navigates life after her husband’s death. Each short devotion is followed by Scripture that brings hope and healing.
11
Therapeutic Friendship: Cultivating Relationships that Heal
Author: Christopher D. O'Rear
In his book, "Therapeutic Friendship - Cultivating Relationships that Heal", Chris O'Rear shares practical tips that help you form stronger friendships, navigate conflicts and support loved ones through tough times.
Chris is an ordained minister, licensed clinical pastoral therapist and a personal friend whose words about being a friend to those in need struck a chord with me.