Grief doesn’t always come in bite-size pieces, but the way we learn to cope with those feelings can. In Alan Wolfelt’s easily digestible book “365 Days of Understanding your Grief,” he provides day-by-day snippets to walk you through a year of loss. This book is a perfect read or gift for the adult in your world who could benefit from finding structure amidst the chaos of grief.
Jennifer Ashton, author of “Life After Suicide,” is known for being the medical correspondent for ABC news. But regardless of her job title, losing her ex-husband to suicide rocked Jennifer’s world and created a pit of self-doubt. As she processed her pain, she wondered if she should also share her experience with the world. This beautifully written memoir encapsulates the quiet suffering many go through, as well as the relief of finding community and support by being open and unashamed.
When a loved one is dying, we know the importance of those final conversations. But sometimes the awkwardness of the moment can prevent you from saying what you want to say. Through Wendy McNaughton’s work in a hospice setting, she drew from her wisdom to write the book “How to Say Goodbye,” providing guidance on when and how to have conversations with your dying loved one.
Colin Campbell’s life was completely turned upside down when his two teenage children were killed by a drunk driver who hit their family vehicle on their way home from a vacation. As Colin navigated his old life amidst new grief, filled with friends who consistently told him “there are no words,” Colin implored them: Please. Find the words. This book is a moving, powerful resource for those of us who wish nothing more than for the ones around us to hear our pain and stay present with us in it.
In a gripping book for tweens, Akemi Dawn Brown’s “Where the Lost Ones Go” follows the story of Eliot, a young girl whose grandmother recently died. When Eliot’s family has to move into a new home, she thinks she feels her grandma’s presence. . .but she’s not quite sure what it means. This is a great book for the young reader in your world!
With a shockingly straight-forward title, Jeannette McCurdy’s “I’m Glad my Mom Died” made an instant name for itself. Jeannette shares her heartbreaking story of growing up with an abusive mother. When her mother dies from cancer, Jeannette is left to grapple with the idea that this loss has granted her the freedom to find her true self. Grab this one off our shelves today!
For many of us, something as simple as walking through a grocery store can trigger feelings of grief. Food is so undeniably tied to love, and going to the market can feel like walking into a warehouse of memories! In “Crying in H Mart,” author Michelle Zauner learns to cope with the death of her mother, using food every step of the way.
Nicola Streeten understands that after losing a child, words are sometimes not enough. In her graphic novel memoir “Billy, Me, and You,” Streeten illustrates the deep pain she felt after the loss of her son, sharing with the reader how she navigated the early days of grief. Using journals and notes she kept, Nicola shares her raw story of loving and losing her dear Billy.
Comedian Rob Delaney may have had you laughing over the years, but many don’t know that he and his family experienced the tragic loss of his son, Henry, after a years-long battle with brain cancer. Delaney’s incredible storytelling in his book “A Heart That Works” translates to the written page as he has you crying AND laughing with him along on his journey of pain and healing.
Laura Lynne Jackson is known for her work as a psychic medium, and she is passionate about sharing the importance of being open to signs from our loved ones. In her book “Signs,” Jackson shares amazing personal experiences of working with clients and bringing their loved one’s messages through. This is an enlightening read!
