Healing and personal growth often start with something small: a moment of quiet, a spark of curiosity, or a book that says exactly what you needed to hear.
But here’s the truth. Books do not change your life. YOU do. The right book can guide you, validate you, and help things finally “click…” but the real transformation comes from how you use what you learn.
These are some of my favourite books for healing, self-growth, emotional wellness, and trauma recovery.
Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and DNF (do not finish) what doesn’t feel right to you.
MY TOP PICKS
1. Breaking The Habit Of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza
Insightful and practical. A helpful guide if you want to understand how your thoughts shape your life and how to shift them intentionally. A big life changer… if you do the work.
2. When The Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Maté
A powerful look at how hidden stress affects your body. Eye-opening, compassionate, and grounding.
3. Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty
Calming, relatable, and full of simple tools for finding peace, focus, and purpose.
4. Untamed by Glennon Doyle
A raw, honest reminder to listen to your own voice. Encouraging, bold, and empowering. Highly recommend.
5. The Courage To Heal: A Guide For Women Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis
Supportive and practical tools for healing for anyone who has experienced child sexual abuse.
6. The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
A foundational trauma book. Explains how trauma lives in the body and how healing is absolutely possible. Note this can be heavy and at times a bit dry, but super helpful.
7. What Happened To you? by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry
Gentle, validating, and deeply human. Helps you understand why you are the way you are… Without blame, shame, or judgement.
8. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
Warm, grounded wisdom on self acceptance, vulnerability, and living more authentically.
9. Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Tawwab
Because saying “no” shouldn’t come with guilt. This book teaches simple, clear boundary skills that actually feel doable.
10. You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero
Funny, light, motivational, no–nonsense approach to help you overcome self-doubt and live a more fulfilling life. Like a pep talk from a friend who believes in you even when you don’t.
Why These Best-Selling Books?
They offer a mix of practical advice, personal stories, and scientific insights that can guide you through healing and growth.
Romance as Therapy (A.K.A Healing Disguised as Fiction)
Sometimes fiction cracks you open in ways non-fiction can’t. Here are a few emotional, healing, messy, heart-pulling romances and thrillers I binge-read in a day.
***Please check your triggers and read with care as some of these are very heavy and NOT intended for healing trauma.
- Archer’s Voice — Mia Sheridan: Soft, healing, heartbreaking, hopeful. Trauma, love, and learning to feel safe.
- The Wrong Heart — Jennifer Hartmann: Dark romance + deep emotional healing. Heavy triggers — but powerful. Check triggers.
- Verity — Colleen Hoover: Twisty, addictive, unhinged, wild. Not healing… but a wild ride.
- The Housemaid — Freida McFadden: Fast, suspenseful, binge-worthy.
- Chestnut Springs Series — Elsie Silver: Small town, cowboys, banter, and emotional depth.
- In the Likely Event — Rebecca Yarros: Military, fate, heartbreak, big feelings.
- Part of Your World Series — Abby Jimenez: Warm, emotional, hopeful — healing disguised as romance.
Final Thoughts
Books can guide you, comfort you, and help you understand yourself… but they’re not a replacement for real support and connection.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start, I offer virtual or telephone counselling for women across Ontario who feel stuck, lost, or disconnected in painful or confusing relationships.
✨ Book your free consultation anytime.