A Shelf of Solace: Books I Return To for Healing 📚

June 20, 2025

There are seasons in life when we need something gentle, wise, or beautifully true to help us make sense of what we’re feeling.

For me, books have been just that — companions that offer language when I don’t have the words, and insight when I feel a little lost. Whether it’s the quiet guidance of a poet like Rumi, the deep dive into self-understanding, or the tender reminders of how grief and healing live in the body, I’ve turned to certain books again and again.

Below are some I’ve found healing — in different ways and for different reasons. If you're navigating hard things, looking inward, or simply craving a more compassionate connection with yourself, maybe one of these will speak to you too.

✨ Self Compassion Day by Day by Karen A. Locke

For a grounded approach towards self-compassion

✨ The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller

For understanding grief & being with it rather than pushing it away

✨ All About Love by Bell Hooks 

For creating a deeper understanding of love & relationships

✨ No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz 

For understanding all of the different parts of you, their roles, their burdens, and their treasures

✨ The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Another great book for self-compassion & perfectionism. 'Daring Greatly' is another great Brene Brown book

✨ The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron

For understanding overwhelm & techniques you may benefit from as a sensitive person (sensitivity is not bad)

✨ Dancing Into The Light: An Inner Journey Guided by Rumi 

For poetry, perspectives shifts, and inner alchemy 

✨ When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress Book by Gabor Maté

A good alternative to the book, ‘the body keeps the score’ for understanding the mind-body connection 

✨ The Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

A powerful book on radical self love, which helps you notice your relationship to yourself, your body, your money, and more!

Additionally:

✨ Any book that can help you understand your culture, rituals, & ultimately, yourself :)

{ Persian example: Shahnameh, I.e., ‘The Epic of Kings’ for an understanding of Persian Mythology/Archetypes}

✨ Children’s books, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Mystery, i.e., books you may have enjoyed as a child. Going back and reading those can give you a better understanding of the messages (both good & bad) that you received early on. It can help you understand your inner children.

Happy Reading 📚,

Tara