The Interview Magazine
It’s true that we all crave constant happiness. But there will always come a time when that is impossible, especially, when someone close passes. Below are listed some highly recommended grief and loss books, often reported as being helpful and comforting by those grieving the passing of a dear one.
Back To Life
By Jennie Wright
Our own highly acclaimed guide to grief loss recovery. Simply written and easy to understand, this book provides grief education, coping strategies, soothing comfort… and hope.
Tear Soup
By Pat Schweibert.
Tear Soup is one of the best and most popular grief resources out there. Although it looks and reads like a fairy tale, or child’s fable, it is actually most informative about grief for adults as well as children. Great for a grieving family to read together. A must have.
A Grief Observed
By C.S. Lewis
Mr. Lewis married late to the love of his life, Joy Gresham, who died four years later of bone cancer. This book is his heavy spiritual journey through grief following her death. A comforting, important book, highly recommended for anyone who has lost someone dear.
I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping & Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One
By Brook Noel & Pamela D Blair.
These two women have been there themselves, tell their stories, then provide a helpful hands-on approach to dealing with grief. It offers practical exercises for working through the mourning process. Especially helpful grief book during the first weeks after a sudden tragic loss.
Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief
By Martha Whitmore Hickman. Ms. Hickman penned this volume of light, comforting thoughts after the death of her 16-year-old daughter in a riding accident. It provides “tiny shafts of light in the darkness”.
Safe Passage: Words to Help the Grieving Hold Fast and Let Go
By Molly Fumia
This book was written by Ms. Fumia as she belatedly mourned the loss of her first-born son. A compassionate, soothing book which helps the grieving hold fast to the memory of their loved one while passing through anger, confusion, guilt and loneliness to acceptance and transformation.
When Bad Things Happen to Good People
By Rabbi Harold Kushner,
Kushner experienced a crisis of faith when his 13-year-old son Aaron died of a rare disease. This national bestseller provides a uniquely practical and compassionate view on tragedy and grief. Kushner suggests that we must come to the conclusion that God is not the author of our misfortunes but rather the source of help and strength. Especially helpful for those dealing with guilt issues or the “if onlys”.
Living When a Loved One Has Died,
By Earl Grollman
A gentle, poetic journey through the realities, truth and hope of grief. This book is perfect for people in mourning because it is in the form of poems that express the raw feelings of grief. It helps you feel what you need to feel, without making apologies for it. Recommended for the later stages of grief, not the first few weeks.
To Begin Again
By Rabbi Naomi Levy
She shares a deep and compassionate understanding of grief that is useful for those of any spiritual belief. Levy realizes that the question after a personal tragedy should not be, “Why did this happen?” but rather, “How can I go on?”
How to go on Living When Someone You Love Dies
By Therese Rando
This easy and practical read helps you understand the grieving process and find comfort in learning you are “normal” in your grief. This highly recommended self-help book provides specific coping strategies for different situations.
Seasons of Solace: A Story of Healing Through Photos and Poems
By Janelle Shantz Hertzler
Janelle lost her husband John to a drunk driver in Thailand and she shares her story of grief in a very eloquent and moving manner. Her journey towards acceptance and peace is told through poems and photographs throughout this beautiful book.
After Suicide
By John H. Hewitt
Helps you put the issues of suicide into proper perspective, find answers to hard questions, and hold fast to hope. A practical guide to help dispel shame and begin the healing.
No Time To Say Goodbye: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One
By Carla Fine
A very thorough and insightful resource for those coping with a suicide tragedy. May be a little rough for the newly bereaved, this guide may be better for later on.
When the Bough Breaks: Forever After the Death of a Son or Daughter”
By Judith R. Bernstein
a psychologist and a bereaved parent, whose twenty-six year old son, Steven, died of cancer. She does not talk about recovery since she doesn’t believe in that concept. Instead she weaves her experience and the contributions of fifty other broken-hearted parents into a wonderful tapestry full of hope and resiliency. This book will help you understand that what you are feeling is normal, and you are not alone.
The Bereaved Parent
By Harriett S. Schiff
This highly recommended book provides sensitive and practical advice and necessary information to those who have “stared at hell and survived”. As a bereaved parent herself, Schiff’s tender and compassionate treatment of this painful and sensitive subject makes her book a classic.
Adapted from www.recover-from-grief.com
