Top 10 books about grief and loss

Losing a loved one, whether you were expecting or completely blindsided by it, is never easy. Grief can feel overwhelming, unpredictable and very lonely. To help remind you that you're not alone, we have put together a list of books about grief from people who have also experienced a loss that may provide comfort and support during a difficult time.

Surviving the Death of a Sibling: Living through grief when an adult brother or sister dies.

Surviving the Death of a Sibling, written by T.J Wray, this book is about losing her 43 year old brother and how unacknowledged her feelings as a sibling were. Inspired to share her story, T.J Wray wrote this book to give practical advice on grieving lost siblings.   

Its OK that you're Not OK: Meeting grief and loss in a culture that doesn't understand.

It's Ok that you're Not OK, written by Megan Devine, this book delves into the journey of grief and the idea of returning to a "normal life", instead encouraging readers to find peace with a life alongside grief. This book is about shifting grief away from a problem to be solved to a natural response to be experienced.     

How to go on Living when Someone you Love Dies

How To Go On Living by Therese A. Rando teaches practical skills to people who have lost someone. The book is a guide to dealing with grief and loss and gives advice for planning a funeral, how to take care of themselves and how to communicate their grief.     

Heartbroken: Healing from the loss of a spouse.

Written by Gary Roe, Heartbroken is for people who are suffering the loss of their spouse. This book is easy to read and deeply personal with the author reflecting on his own experiences, he takes widowers through the process of grieving a spouse, from managing emotions, relationships and seeking support.       

The Beauty of What Remains: How our greatest fear becomes our greatest gift.

The Beauty of What Remains, written by Steve Leder, this book is about the loss of his own father and gives readers hope in finding joy again and realising how loss can still make room for incredible love in our life. 

Don't die without me

Don't die without me, is a practical guide to planning your own funeral and how to take care of your family after you pass away. Written by Claire Hoffman, this book reflects on her own experiences with grief and how to take control of your life and prevent your family from dealing with unnecessary turmoil so they can grief.     

The Other Side of Sadness: What the New Science of Bereavement Tells Us About Life After Loss.

The Other Side of Sadness by George A. Bonanno is based on research on bereavement across history and recognises how other emotions, including joy and letting go can help with the grieving process.  The book also delves into the five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.   

I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye.

I wasn't ready to say goodbye by Brook Noel offers a comforting hand to help guide you through the grieving process from the first few weeks to the long term emotional and physical effects. The authors reveal myths about navigating through the grieving process and provide people coping with loss insight into their own emotions and how to rebuild their lives. 

On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss.

On Grief and Grieving, written by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross this book combines practical wisdom, case studies and her own experiences with grief. Elisabeth reflects on her own spiritual insights and explains how the process of grieving helps us live with loss. 

The year of magical thinking.

Joan Didion writes about her experience with the death of her late husband and how grief impacted her life. The year of magical thinking explores the perception people have about death and illness while juggling life and family.   

By Alana Dintinosante