Photo: MJ Franklin / Mashable
Reading can be a helpful way to process grief, whether it’s through narratives of others who’ve gone through something similar or how-to’s that unpack all the big feelings of grief.
Here are five books that may help in your grief. What books have helped you process? Let me know in the comments below.
1. Tiny Beautiful Things
By Cheryl Strayed, On Amazon
I’ve mentioned this one before in my Personal Story post, but this book has by far had the greatest impact on my understanding of grief. It’s a collection of advice columns written by Cheryl Strayed who, at the time, went by the alias Sugar. Her advice is poignant, at times even poetic. She’s firm without being harsh, each response crafted with empathy and wisdom from her years of experience dealing with grief and trauma. Just know that not every column is about grief, but the ones that are have incredible insight. I recommend starting with The Black Arc of It, The Obliterated Place, and Tiny Beautiful Things.
2. Modern Loss
By Rebecca Soffer and Gabrielle Birkner, On Amazon
I had the privilege of hearing these two wonderful authors speak at an event in Seattle years back. Each of them had lost parents, and the experiences they shared were sad and beautiful and at times even funny. This book, as filled with personality as the authors themselves, features little illustrations and hard truths and written contributions from guests to show a wide array of experiences. Consider this your beginner’s guide to grief.
3. It’s Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too)
By Nora McInerny Purmort, On Amazon
The book description puts it best when it says “This book is for people who have been through some shit.” In her book, Nora (who is from my hometown) talks about her experience losing her husband Aaron to brain cancer after only having a few years together, and how they found joy even in the depths of their grief. Aaron was a well-known designer in the Minneapolis community and was only 35 when he died, leaving behind a memorable obituary that was a testament to his personality, as well as a legacy that Nora carries on to this day. Her book is honest and raw, but it’s also funny and conversational. A must for young widows.
4. Radical Compassion
By Tara Brach, On Amazon
Tara Brach is a clinical psychologist and mindfulness meditation teacher whose work I was first introduced to on a meditation retreat. Her book “Radical Acceptance” is a great read for anyone interested in learning about mindfulness and self-acceptance, and her long awaited follow-up, Radical Compassion, applies some of the same concepts to working through grief and trauma. She features her own stories and stories from her meditation students, and her writing (like her meditation audio recordings) is a mixture of calm, insightful, and loving.
5. Wild
By Cheryl Strayed, On Amazon
Okay, not to be a total fangirl here, but Wild is another wonderful book written by Cheryl Strayed. This one is an autobiographical novel about her trek on the Pacific Crest Trail in the wake of her mother’s death. It deals with themes of loss, forgiveness, and self-discovery in the midst of pain. It’s a beautiful testament to our strength and resilience, as well as the power of nature. Fair warning: it may make you want to hike the PCT.