Please check back often as I continue to add new books to this reading list.
ADULTS:
Abuse (Physical, Emotional and Sexual)
The Emotionally Abused Women: Overcoming Destructive Patterns and Reclaiming Yourself - Beverly Engel, MFCC
This book helps women recognize abusive patterns, includes good case examples from the writer’s work with clients, and offers exercises to rebuild self-esteem.
When Your Child Has Been Molested: A Parent’s Guide to Healing & Recovery - Kathryn Hagans & Joyce Case
This is a helpful book for parents whose children have been sexually abused. It includes basic information about sexual abuse, reporting abuse, normal sexual development, steps to healing, how to deal with family members, working with a therapist and dealing with the court system.
ADD/ADHD Children
Helping Your ADD Child: Hundreds of Practical Solutions for Parents and Teachers of ADD Children and Teens (With or Without Hyperactivity) - John Taylor
The title says it all.
Divorce
Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends - Dr. Bruce Fisher and Dr. Robert Alberti
This compassionate book describes how to put your life back together after a divorce or separation.
Grief and Loss
How To Survive the Loss of a Love - Melba Cograve, Ph.D., Harold Bloomfield, M.D. & Peter McWilliams
This is a guide for all types of loss. Written by a psychologist, a psychiatrist and a poet. It has an educational piece and includes poetry that is very touching and meaningful.
Humor
Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney
I know this book is in the children's section, but adults will enjoy the story of Greg who is surviving the dreaded middle school years filled with bullies and much embarrassment. This book is a combo of cartoons and text.
Mental Health
Women's Mental Health: What It Means to You - U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
You can download this publication for free just
Click Here
Nurturing and Understanding Ourselves
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity - Julia Cameron and Mark Bryan
This book can be completed on your own or with a “sacred circle” of friends. This twelve-week program helps people to recover their creativity that has been blocked due to many reasons. You do not have to be an “artist” to benefit from this book.
Creative Visualization - Shakti Gawain
This book describes the power of using affirmations, thoughts and visualizations to create one's life. It has different exercises and affirmations that one can use.
The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World - Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D.
Finally, a book about the positive qualities and strengths of being an introvert. Areas covered include relationships, parenting, socializing and work.
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy - Sarah Ban Breathnach
An essay for every day of the year. This book helps women connect back to themselves. She describes this as an “authentic wakening”. Her “6 threads of abundant living” include Gratitude, Simplicity, Order, Harmony, Beauty and Joy.
The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction - Chellie Campbell
This book is about removing stress in regards to money and enjoying what you have. She has 365 affirmations and stories to inspire you and create change.
Relationships
Calling in the One: 7 Weeks to Attract the Love of Your Life - Katherine Woodward Thomas
The thing that's different about this relationship book is it's not about where to go or what to do to meet "the one". It discusses how to become the person you need to be to attract the person you're looking for. It's a 7-week course which has different assignments to do on a daily basis. It's a good complement to therapy because it encourages inner work to change outer circumstances.
The Dance of Anger: A Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships - Harriet Lerner
This easy to read book teaches women how to recognize and express their anger so that they can get their needs met. She discusses how anger in women has been looked at negatively by society, However, she sees anger more as a sign that something is just not right.
He’s Just Not That Into You: The No Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys - Greg Behrendt & Liz Lucillo
This book has “the empowering message that a woman deserves a man who truly loves her and not one that she must constantly make excuses for”. It’s also a fun and easy read.
Parenting
Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility - Foster Cline, M.D. & Jim Fay
A parenting book that teaches how to avoid power struggles with your children. The importance of teaching kids responsibility through making choices and dealing with the consequences of these choices.
Teen Relationships
Queen Bees & Wannabes - Rosalind Wiseman
This book will help you understand your daughter and her secret world of friendships. It also includes discussion of how parents can help their daughters deal with this challenging time.
