Chosen by Angela SchellenbergLicensed trauma therapist

Grief books to start with

Q: What is the best book to start with for new grief?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller. In her words: “A psychotherapist on the five gates of grief. The book I most often press into someone's hands when they feel guilty for grieving as deeply as they do.”

Q: What other books does Angela recommend for new grief?

Also on this shelf: It's OK That You're Not OK by Megan Devine; Bearing the Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore; The Grieving Brain by Mary-Frances O'Connor; The Grieving Body by Mary-Frances O'Connor; A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis; The Other Side of Sadness by George Bonanno. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

Q: Is there a guided journal for new grief?

Yes. Grief & Trauma Workbook is Angela’s own guided journal for this loss ($14.99).

The books I would put in your hands first.

Foundational reads for the early days, when nothing makes sense and the language has not arrived yet.

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

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

The 7 books

The Wild Edge of Sorrow Francis Weller Angela saysA psychotherapist on the five gates of grief. The book I most often press into someone's hands when they feel guilty for grieving as deeply as they do. View on Amazon

It's OK That You're Not OK Megan Devine Angela saysMegan wrote this after her partner drowned. If you have been told to find the silver lining and you cannot, this is the book to keep on your nightstand. View on Amazon

Bearing the Unbearable Joanne Cacciatore Angela saysA grief researcher and bereaved mother on what it actually takes to carry traumatic loss. Honest, deep, no easy answers. View on Amazon

The Grieving Brain Mary-Frances O'Connor Angela saysIf you keep asking what is wrong with me, this neuroscientist's answer is: nothing. Your brain is doing exactly what grief asks of it. View on Amazon

The Grieving Body Mary-Frances O'Connor Angela saysO'Connor's follow-up to The Grieving Brain: why grief lives in the body too, and how the physical toll of loss can become an opening for healing rather than something to push through. View on Amazon

A Grief Observed C.S. Lewis3.9 · 14 ratings Angela saysLewis wrote this in journal entries in the weeks after his wife died. Short, honest, and the original of its kind. View on Amazon

The Other Side of Sadness George Bonanno Angela saysA research-grounded counterweight to the “stages” story. If grief has not looked like you thought it would, this normalizes that. View on Amazon

Angela’s journal for this lossGrief & Trauma WorkbookAn attachment-focused guide to what grief does.$14.99See the journal →

Common questions

What is the best book to start with for new grief?

Angela’s first pick on this shelf is The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller. In her words: “A psychotherapist on the five gates of grief. The book I most often press into someone's hands when they feel guilty for grieving as deeply as they do.”

What other books does Angela recommend for new grief?

Also on this shelf: It's OK That You're Not OK by Megan Devine; Bearing the Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore; The Grieving Brain by Mary-Frances O'Connor; The Grieving Body by Mary-Frances O'Connor; A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis; The Other Side of Sadness by George Bonanno. Each one has a short note above on who it helps.

Is there a guided journal for new grief?

Yes. Grief & Trauma Workbook is Angela’s own guided journal for this loss ($14.99).

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