SOME RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR ADULTS WHO ARE GRIEVING

Grieving Forward: Death Happened, Now What?        Cathy Clough & Linda Pouliot

A practical guide for every griever.  If you know someone who cannot attend a grief workshop such as From Grief to New Hope, this

book will help them as they travel the grief journey.

Don’t Take My Grief AwayDoug Manning

Spiritual context. Easy to read and realistic. Offers support and encouragement.

Getting to The Other Side of GriefSusan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge & Robert C. DeVries

Written by a remarried couple who met after they were both widowed, one a therapist and the other a minister. Well written and gives both the psychological perspective and the spiritual perspective.

The Mourning HandbookHelen Fitzgerald

This book is written as a companion to those mourners in need of practical and emotional assistance during the trying times before and after the death of a loved one. It gives special attention to the complex emotions that can accompany especially traumatic situations such as multiple deaths or murder.

How to Survive the Loss of a ChildCatherine M. Sanders

This book deals with all of the aspects of losing a child. It offers grieving parents practical help and emotional support.

How to Go On Living When  Someone You Love DiesTherese A. Rando

Excellent book, but a little much for the person in the early stages of grief. I’d recommend it as a great resource and training manual for the grief helper or facilitator.

A Decembered GriefHarold Ivan Smith

An excellent book about dealing with the holidays after the loss of a loved one. Easy reading.

Seven Choices: Finding Daylight After Loss Shatters Your World           Dr. Elizabeth Neeld

Life after losing someone you love

Surviving Grief...And Learning To Live Again                    Catherine Sanders

An insightful, compassionate account of the grieving process

Journalizing Your Decembered GriefHarold Ivan Smith

A companion book for “A Decembered Grief”

Recovering From the Losses Of LifeH. Norman Wright

Very well written book that deals with all types of losses.

Beyond GriefCarol Staudacher

Another excellent book for people who wish to help the bereaved. It is full of information to help the griever and is uplifting and life affirming.

Good GriefGranger Westberg

This book is an excellent book to read in the very early stages of grief.

WidowedDr. Joyce Brothers

Many widows have said that they could relate to everything Dr. Brothers shares as she grieved after the death of her husband. Written from a widow’s perspective, not as a professional therapist.

But I Never Thought He’d DieMiriam Baker Nye

Another realistic book for those who are widowed.

What Helped Me When My Loved One DiedEarl Grollman

Earl Grollman shares expertise and information that is very helpful to men and women dealing with the death of a loved one.

Learning to Say Goodbye When A Parent DiesEda LeShan

A good resource for adults whose parent has died. It deals with all aspects of this loss, including relating to your surviving parent and siblings.

Roses In DecemberMarilyn Willett Heavilin

Written from a Christian perspective, Marilyn shares with the reader how she coped after losing three sons. Even through the Winters (December) of her life, God provided roses. Very uplifting and positive.

When Your Dreams DieMarilyn Willet Heavilin

Another very encouraging and uplifting book by Marilyn Heavilin

Living Through the Loss of  Someone You LoveSandra P. Aldrich

Sandra’s personal experience mixed with inspiration and reality.

Will I Ever Be Whole Again?Sandra P. Aldrich

Written from a Christian perspective, Sandra shares the journey of grief from her own personal experience. It is a book about survival. Easy to read for the early griever.

To Live AgainCatherine Marshall

One of several inspirational books written by Catherine Marshall. She shares her journey after the death of her husband.

Instantly A WidowRuth Sissom

Written from a Christian perspective, Ruth shares her journey and healing.

Moving Beyond GriefRuth Sissom

Written after “Instantly A Widow”-Ruth’s grief journey completed.

Grieving With HopeSusan Holtkamp

Particularly good for those who struggle with faith issues. Written from a Christian perspective.

On Grieving the Death Of a FatherHarold Ivan Smith

Written from the experiences of many who have faced this loss.

Grieving the Death of a MotherHarold Ivan Smith

Written from the experiences of many who have faced this loss.

Griefing the Death of a Friend                               Harold Ivan Smith

Written from the experiences of many who have faced this loss.

Midlife OrphanJane Brooks

Excellent book for those who are feeling abandoned after the death of both parents.

Letter To A Grieving Heart: Comfort & Hope For Those Who HurtBilly Sprague

Short book of comfort which includes beautiful artwork

Take the Dimness of My Soul Away                        William Ritter

A collection of sermons written and presented by Dr. William Ritter after the suicide death of his son

Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss                  Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen

Tear Soup is a book that was probably written for children, but has proven to be extremely helpful to adults.  In the book, "Grandy" has

suffered a big loss in her life.  At the end of the book, Grandy is asked what she learned through this process of making tear soup and her reply was "I've learned that there is something down deep within all of us ready to help us survive the things we think we can't survive".

Grief Keeping - Learning How Long Grief Lasts                Harold Ivan Smith

Stories from the lives of presidents, celebrities and other American luminaries.

Grievers Ask                           Harold Ivan Smith

Answers to questions about death and loss.

Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On                       Stormie Omartian

Trusting God in the Tough Times

A Patch of Comfort: A Guide for Helping Sonmeone In Grief                       Marilyn Sullivan

This book is written with great sensitivity and is a "must-read" for anyone who wants to help a grieving friend or family member.

When the Bough Breaks: Forever After the Death of a Son or Daughter                  Judith R. Bernstein, PhD

This book takes a serious and sensitive look at how to cope with the loss of a child.  The author doesn't talk about "recovery", but offers ways for parents to rebuild their lives and recover hope and the ability to go on with their lives.

I wasn't ready to say goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After Sudden Death of a Loved One    Brook Noel and Pamela Blair

This book will help those who are facing grief after a loved one's sudden death, learn how to endure, survive and grow from the pain and turmoil surrounding the death.

The Road to Forgiveness    Bill and Cindy Griffith

This book powerfully and vividly illustrates the journey from pain and anger to the freedom found in forgiveness.

I Have No Intention of Saying Goodbye....Surviving grief: Death of a Child      Sandy Fox

Five or more years after the death of their children, twenty-five families opened their hearts and shared stories of courage, hope

and their attempts to make sense out of the most unbearable loss of all.

Grieving God's Way                    Margaret Brownley

This book will help you gain new insight into the grieving process, gain more appreciation for friends and family and come to understand God's plan for healing heart and soul.

The Widower's Toolbox:  Repairing Your Life After Losing Your Spouse        Gerald J. Schaefer and Tom Bekkers, MSW, APSW

This book offers men who have lost their spouses a guide to helping identify and resolve the issues overwhelming them and to repairing their lives and moving forward.

Prepared by Cathy Clough, New Hope Center For Grief Support  (Updated July 2011)