Books for Your Journey
My journey into psychology, spirituality, and self-understanding began with books. They’ve been some of my greatest teachers—helping me make sense of my past, my patterns, and the relationships/world around me.
If books speak to you in the same way, I’ve put together a list of some of the most meaningful and impactful ones I’ve read, organized by topic.
I hope you find as much insight and inspiration in them as I have!
P.S. I’ve linked all these books through Bookshop.org—one of my favorite places to buy books when I can’t shop locally, a portion of every sale supports independent bookstores.
COMING HOME TO SELF Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach: This book was like the most beautiful coming back home to self I didn’t know I needed at the time. With warmth and clarity, Tara Brach invites readers to soften self-judgment and meet themselves with compassion through the practices of mindfulness and presence. This book is a powerful guide for returning to yourself with love, especially in the moments you feel most unworthy. It’s my go-to book recommendation for anyone in my life struggling!
RELATIONSHIP TO SELF It Begins with You by Jillian Turecki: Grounded, compassionate, and direct, Jillian Turecki offers powerful insights into self-worth, emotional responsibility, and the patterns that keep us stuck. This book is a call to personal accountability and deep self-connection, reminding us that the foundation of all love starts within.
INNER HEALING THRU IFS No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz: In this accessible and deeply compassionate introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dick Schwartz (the founder of IFS) invites us to meet every part of ourselves—not with judgment, but with curiosity and care. This book is a powerful guide for anyone longing to heal inner wounds, quiet the inner critic, and move toward wholeness by recognizing that there truly are no bad parts—only parts that need our love.
RELATIONSHIPS THRU AN IFS LENS You Are the One You've Been Waiting For by Dick Schwartz: Dick Schwartz introduces IFS as a transformative approach to healing relationships by fostering self-leadership and understanding our inner parts. If you’re struggling with self-worth, repeating relationship patterns, or emotional triggers, you may find this book especially supportive—it helps you develop deeper self-compassion and break cycles rooted in childhood wounds.
ATTACHMENT THEORY Polysecure by Jessica Fern: This book is the absolute best masterclass on attachment theory because, unlike the book Attached, it speaks to the the contextual nature of our attachment styles, and it speaks to the topic in a much more nuanced, contemporary way. Jessica Fern weaves together attachment theory, trauma awareness, and non-monogamous frameworks to explore how we can build secure and expansive relationships. Whether monogamous or polyamorous, it provides valuable tools for cultivating trust, communication, and emotional safety.
THE TAROT Tarot for Change by Jessica Dore: This book offers a profound, unique, and practical exploration of tarot through the lens of psychology and personal growth, making it an invaluable tool for self-reflection and transformation. Jessica Dore bridges the mystical and the psychological, showing how tarot can support emotional healing and resilience.
RELATIONSHIP WITH ALCOHOL Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker: More than a book about sobriety, this is a fiery, honest, and empowering manifesto about reclaiming your agency in a culture that normalizes numbing. Holly Whitaker challenges the traditional recovery narrative and offers a fresh, feminist, and deeply personal path to healing—whether you’re sober-curious or rethinking your relationship with alcohol.
DEPRESSION How to Weep in Public: Feeble Offerings on Depression from One Who Knows by Jacqueline Novak: With sharp wit and brutal honesty, Jacqueline Novak offers a refreshingly irreverent take on depression, blending humor with deep personal insight. This book is both a cathartic read for those who struggle and a reminder that even our darkest moments can be met with levity.
CODEPENDENCE Codependent No More by Melody Beattie: A classic in the realm of self-healing, this book unpacks the patterns of codependency and offers practical tools for reclaiming autonomy, setting boundaries, and cultivating self-worth. Beattie’s compassionate and insightful approach makes it an essential read for anyone learning to break cycles of people-pleasing and over-responsibility.
ANGER The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner: This book is a game-changer for anyone who struggles with expressing anger in healthy ways, particularly women who’ve been conditioned to suppress it. Lerner offers a thoughtful, empowering guide to understanding anger as a tool for transformation rather than a problem to be solved.
LIVING MORE IN THE MOMENT The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle: A modern spiritual classic, this book explores how presence and mindfulness can free us from anxiety, overthinking, and suffering. Eckhart Tolle’s insights encourage readers to break free from the grip of the past and future, finding peace in the present moment.
PEOPLE PLEASING STOP People Pleasing by Hailey Magee: This book is a compassionate and practical guide for breaking the cycle of people-pleasing, setting boundaries, and reclaiming self-trust. Magee offers actionable steps to help readers shift from external validation to inner alignment.
CREATING NEW HABITS Atomic Habits by James Clear: A must-read for anyone looking to make lasting change, this book breaks down the science of habit formation into simple, actionable steps. Clear’s approach emphasizes small, consistent shifts that lead to profound, long-term transformation.
CULTIVATING MORE DETACHMENT IN LOVE Open to Desire by Mark Epstein: Blending Buddhist philosophy with Western psychology, Mark Epstein reimagines desire not as something to overcome, but as a path to freedom and intimacy. This book gently challenges our assumptions about love and attachment, inviting a more spacious and mindful way of relating.
