Non-fiction Books - The Heart's Way

I believe reading and learning are keys to help manage stress and live a happier life. In addition to reading for my clinical education, I began reading for personal “self-help” and enrichment many years ago. To me, if I only discovered one nugget of truth or understanding in a book, then that was a “good” read.

“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.”
Louisa May Alcott

On this page, you will find some of the BEST books that I have found that have been helpful to me and/or my clients in managing stress and living happier lives. This is a growing resource, being updated as a work in progress. The books will be arranged in various categories (listed below). When possible, each book will contain a link to a bookseller, in case you choose to read more about it or to consider it for purchase for your own personal library. I hope that this list will be useful, helpful, and enjoyable!

Decision-Making and Habits

Atomic Habits by James Clear – “Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results. An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones.” This book is exactly what it says it is. Clear, user-friendly writing that helps us to understand that building good habits can be accomplished with very small changes.

The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman – “A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions.” A thought provoking book exploring many concepts and practices that are useful when you are trying to figure out your Next Right Thing in life. (I enjoyed the audiobook version of this book, narrated by the author).

Decluttering – Minimalism – Homecare

Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki – A guide to the benefits of minimalism and living a simpler life. Many concepts are discussed, one of which is “The Silent To-Do List.”

How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind by Dana K. White – An honest, humorous, and significantly user friendly guide to dealing with household chaos that can lead to feeling overwhelmed. This is a practical guide to developing daily household routines and decluttering tips that help with keeping your home under control and decreasing the stress in your life.

Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus – Please see my Book Review for additional information regarding this interesting and informative book.

The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi – “Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, And Get Stuff Done.” Kendra Adachi offers practical advice (with both candor and humor) on how to develop your own system to live a more fulfilled life. She offers 13 “Lazy Genius Way Principles” that just seem to make a whole lot of sense. From “decide once,” to “start small,” to asking yourself the “magic question,” The Lazy Genius Way is a refreshing read.

Guided Imagery

Invisible Heroes: Survivors of Trauma and How They Heal by Belleruth Naparstek – This is an excellent resource for clinicians working with clients diagnosed with PTSD. It describes how Guided Imagery can be an important and effective complementary therapeutic approach for those struggling with trauma. Clients who are well versed in Guided Imagery techniques may also find this helpful.

Staying Well With Guided Imagery by Belleruth Naparstek – A classic in the field by well-known Guided Imagery expert. This book describes Guided Imagery and the variety of ways it can be utilized. Included are Guided Imagery scripts for personal (or professional) use.

Health

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande – a compelling exploration of end of life issues and the conflicts that often occur between the realities of death and dying, and a healthcare system intent on sustaining life at all costs. Dr. Gawande is a poignant storyteller, revealing the human side of the complex issues of death and dying. This is an excellent read for loved ones and caregivers.

Hanger Management: Master Your Hunger and Improve Your Mood, Mind, and Relationships by Susan Albers – explores the role that hanger (hunger + anger) plays in our lives today. From research data to anecdotal stories, the author is able to demonstrate how hunger can dramatically impact our mood, our closest relationships, and our decision-making skills.

My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. – At age 37, Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D., a Harvard trained brain scientist, suffered a massive stroke in the left hemisphere of her brain. This book is a detailed personal account of the author’s stroke experience as well as her arduous 8-year recovery period. An emotional and insightful read for those who have experienced stroke, loved ones, caregivers, and professionals alike.

When You Eat at the Refrigerator, Pull Up a Chair – 50 Ways to Feel Thin, Gorgeous and Happy (When You Feel Anything But) by Geneen Roth – Geneen Roth is known for her numerous books that link emotional eating with deeply personal issues about ourselves and our relationships with others. When You Eat at the Refrigerator, Pull Up a Chair shows us 50 ways to look at and deal with these complex issues. Her words are sometimes humorous, sometimes heart-wrenching, but always poignant.

Inspirational

Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World by Max Lucado – Max Lucado writes of the anxiety that pervades our lives and society in general. He offers hope and healing, through the biblical study of Philippians 4:6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” An excellent resource for faith-based counseling.

Courageous Faith by Debbye Turner Bell – Please see my Book Review regarding this inspirational book, filled with life lessons based on Christian values.

Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad by John Eldredge – Published on February 11, 2020, Get Your Life Back has been an inspirational resource for many during the Covid-19 pandemic. The book covers several practical topics from a Christian perspective, namely: taking pauses during your day, practicing benevolent detachment, being kind to yourself, seeking renewal in nature, and avoiding technical overload.

Psychology/Psychotherapy

Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life by Christie Tate – A Reese’s Book Club Pick: “The refreshingly original and “startlingly hopeful” (Lisa Taddeo) debut memoir of an over-achieving young lawyer who reluctantly agrees to group therapy and gets psychologically and emotionally naked in a room of six complete strangers—and finds human connection, and herself.” (Amazon synopsis)

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb – This is a thought-provoking and witty look at a therapist’s life from the inside out. Lori Gottlieb shares her insights about her work as a therapist with her clients, along with her own journey in counseling following a personal crisis. Entertaining, enlightening, and right on the mark!

Relationships

Codependent No More by Melody Beattie- A modern classic in the field of codependency, Codependent No More helps us to understand codependent behaviors in ourselves and those we care about. It also explores how to break free from dysfunctional codependent behaviors in order to improve our self-esteem and to nurture healthier relationships with others.

Listening is an Act of Love by Dave Isay – “A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project.”

Stress Management

Breathing: The Master Key to Self-Healing by Andrew Weil, MD – This audiobook describes and demonstrates 8 powerful breathing techniques that can be used to help improve health and mental health, e.g. insomnia, digestion, circulation, panic disorder, anxiety, and others.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene’ Brown, Ph.D., LMSW -“Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are.” A guide to understanding and practicing what the author calls “wholehearted living.” Genuine, inspiring, and practical information and advice from someone who shares her knowledge through sound research and honest storytelling.

Trauma

What Happened To You? by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. and Oprah Winfrey – “Conversations On Trauma, Resilience, And Healing. Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain development and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry discuss the impact of trauma and adversity and how healing must begin with a shift to asking “What Happened to you?” rather than “What’s wrong with you?””

The titles (highlighted in blue) have been linked to provide a synopsis of each book.

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