Chosen by Angela SchellenbergLicensed trauma therapist

Books about losing your father

Q: What is the best book to start with for losing your father?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is The Orphaned Adult by Alexander Levy, PhD. In her words: “A psychologist on the particular shock of losing a parent as a grown adult, the part nobody warns you about, no matter your age.”

Q: What other books does Angela recommend for losing your father?

Also on this shelf: Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; Half a Life by Darin Strauss. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

Q: Is there a guided journal for losing your father?

Yes. Still His Daughter is Angela’s own guided journal for this loss ($14.99).

For the daughters carrying the grief of his empty chair.

Whether he died, left, or was never quite there, this section names a particular grief that often goes unspoken.

3 books · each with Angela’s note on who it helps

See the books ↓Angela’s journal for this loss →

The 3 books

The Orphaned Adult Alexander Levy, PhD Angela saysA psychologist on the particular shock of losing a parent as a grown adult, the part nobody warns you about, no matter your age. View on Amazon

Notes on Grief Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Angela saysA short, searing memoir written in the weeks after her father died. Reads in one sitting and stays with you. View on Amazon

Half a Life Darin Strauss Angela saysOn living with a loss that does not fit the standard scripts, useful for grief that has not been allowed to be grief. View on Amazon

Angela’s journal for this lossStill His DaughterA father loss grief journal.$14.99See the journal →

Common questions

What is the best book to start with for losing your father?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is The Orphaned Adult by Alexander Levy, PhD. In her words: “A psychologist on the particular shock of losing a parent as a grown adult, the part nobody warns you about, no matter your age.”

What other books does Angela recommend for losing your father?

Also on this shelf: Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; Half a Life by Darin Strauss. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

Is there a guided journal for losing your father?

Yes. Still His Daughter is Angela’s own guided journal for this loss ($14.99).

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Grief support groups and hotlines

Hotlines, support groups, grief camps for kids, and online communities, sorted by type of loss.

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