Top 16 Books About Grief Updated 05 /2024

One of life's most heartbreaking experiences is losing someone close to you. It might be difficult to deal with the loss and bring up a variety of feelings that you're not accustomed to. Grief books such as these promote open dialogue about death and loss, which is invaluable to people who are experiencing it.

Competitive Grieving by Nora Zelevansky

Her childhood best friend, Stewart, has died in this fast-paced story and Wren wonders whether the so-called extension of herself was ever genuine. This poignant and amusing tale demonstrates how difficult it is to mourn in the middle of love and life.

The Art of Losing It by Rosemary Keevil

In literature on mourning, a first-hand narrative is usually beneficial. When Rosemary Keevil's brother and husband died of fatal diseases in the same year, she was left with her two girls and an addiction problem. This book tells her experiences throughout this very traumatic period in her life. Rosemary's journey as a heartbroken single mother and her battle with addiction are both explored in The Art of Losing It. For those who have just lost a loved one or are dealing with addiction issues, this candid insight into her life brings a measure of comfort.

Splitting the Difference: A Heart-Shaped Memoir by Tré Miller Rodríguez

Throughout her life, Tré Miller Rodrguez has lost a lot of people. The infant was placed for adoption when she was 18 years old. Her only sibling was killed in a vehicle accident the following year. A heart attack killed Tré's spouse, Alberto, while he lay in bed at the age of 34. Tré's life changed dramatically when her daughter discovered her on Facebook at the age of 36. For the first time after her husband's death, Tre recounts how she went from being a dissatisfied widow to a woman who travels the world and releases the ashes of her late husband into the oceans of her dreams. As she leaves her work, reunites with her daughter, and comes to grips with the loss of her husband, a lady discovers a new side of herself in Splitting the Difference.

Late Migrations: A Natural History of Loss and Love by Margaret Renkl

Her parents, Margaret Renkl, and her childhood are the subject of a series of articles written by the author. On her journey from being a kid to caring for them, she draws an image of both her lavish mother and her steadfast father. As Renkl reminisces on special times spent with the people she cares about, these charming passages from her own life shed light and amusement on her own unique perspective on the human condition. Light and affection flood the hurting heart in Late Migrations.

Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief  by Joanne Cacciatore

Dr. Joanne Cacciatore guides the way to a better understanding of sorrow and the emotional effects it has on people in these fifty-two brief chapters. People she has assisted in her practices throughout the years, as well as her own personal tales of loss, are included in her talks on how they overcame sorrow. Taking a journey through the phases of grief is what Bearing the Unbearable is all about. Loss counselors, educators, and anyone who work with the bereaved may all benefit from having this resource at their disposal.

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis wrote A Grief Observed after the loss of his wife as a technique of coping and maintaining his sanity. Lewis delves deeply into the emotions and anguish that come with loss in an immensely honest portrayal of his own life's journey and the re-discovery of a person he thought he'd lost.

The Last Act of Love: The Story of my Brother and His Sister by Carly Rentzenbrink

After an automobile struck and knocked out Carly's brother, Matty, in the summer of 1990, Matty passed away. Carly and her parents were about to confront the most difficult choice of their life at that point. Matty's GCSE scores were the best in the school even while he was unconscious and hooked up to a cardiac monitor. Carly's book, The Last Act of Love, tells the heartbreaking story of her family's struggle to come to terms with the loss of a loved one after a tragic accident.

Do Death: For a Life Better Lived by Amanda Blainey

Social activist Amanda Blainey promotes open dialogue on the issue of grief and how it alters our connections with death in this plain book. If you're looking for a way to accept the inevitable nature of death, Do Death is the book for you.

Fifty Words for Rain: A Novel by Asha Lemmie

In Kyoto in the 1940s, young Nori's mother departed without saying much more than, "Do not inquire. Stop fighting. "Resist not." When Nori's aristocratic grandparents discovered that she had a dark complexion, they locked her in the attic and forced her through severe skin-lightening procedures in an effort to preserve the family's royal lineage. The tale of little Nori and her steadfast determination to continue on is likely to give you courage and hope while you're going through a difficult period.

We also picked Fifty Words for Rain in our selection of the top fall book club options.

It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine

"Grief is just love in its most passionate and devastating form," Megan Devine explains. When something is taken away from you, it is a normal and rational reaction. When it comes to mourning, Megan takes a very different approach. In this genuine and useful guide to mourning readers will discover spiritual insight, counsel, practical direction, and more.

Readers will learn to be kind to themselves and let go of preconceived notions of what grieving should look like.

Gone by Linda K. Olson

On vacation in Germany, Linda Olson and her husband Dave Hodgens, both young physicians, were killed when Linda's right arm and both of her legs were amputated by the train that struck their van. Linda, a triple amputee, had to learn how to walk with prostheses, change diapers, and insert IVs with one hand. She completed her residency while pregnant and lived on her own. Inspiring and heartbreaking, Gone encourages readers to embrace the unforeseen obstacles we all confront with both bravery and humor.

Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg

Sheryl Sandberg and her two young daughters were distraught when her spouse died unexpectedly. "Option A is not accessible," commented a buddy when the first opportunity for father-child bonding occurred. When it comes to Option B, "I'm going to step in and be the father figure for the night," so to speak. The notion of accepting responsibility for one's attitude to loss, sorrow, and adversity was inspired in that moment.

A must-read for anybody enduring adversity, Sandberg's book will give you the courage to get back up when you're at your lowest point.

Opening to Grief: Finding Your Way from Loss to Peace by Claire B. Willis

Nearly everyone has experienced some kind of loss as a result of the epidemic. Using the compassionate, honest voice of a friend, Willis guides readers through the process of grieving for individuals who have passed away, reminding them to love themselves and one another while they do so.

In the midst of this uncertain moment, you need look no farther for comfort. It's easy to feel at ease with Willis' remarks, which are full of kindness and optimism.

Breaking Sad by Shelly Fisher & Jennifer Jones

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to grieving, healing, and moving on from life's challenges. There is a wealth of information to be found here on topics such as losing a family member, losing a career, and even losing one's health. Readers will get insight into the questions we can't ask: How can I help? Isn't it preferable to remain silent? Is it OK for me to describe my experience? Real-world examples and answers to these and other problems abound in this book.

Grief Day By Day: Simple Practices and Daily Guidance for Living with Loss Paperback by Jan Warner

With 365 days of thoughts, quotations, and meditations, as well as 52 therapeutic techniques organized around a weekly topic, this grief recovery manual addresses the many phases of grieving. This book will help you deal with issues including loneliness, grief attacks, weariness, hope, love, and creating purpose.

I Wrote This For You, Me & Anyone Trying to F*cking Move On by Robert M. Drake

When you're in love, it might be hard to keep it that way. Mutual patience, commitment, respect, communication, forgiveness and selflessness are required for a successful partnership. Relationships, on the other hand, are a necessary part of human development, and they may provide some of the most memorable experiences in your life. Next time you fall in love, you may use the advice in this book to help you know what to look for, what to hold on to, and what to let go of.

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

"If we are ready to do the mental work, practically everything may be cured," is Louise L. Hay's mantra in the self-help industry. Having been diagnosed with cancer herself, the author has a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to give about the recovery process.

---