Recommended Books

I probably read more books than is necessary on recovery from addiction and codependency, but they have been unbelievably helpful in my process, and I continue to go back to many them regularly. Some woke me up to new insights and practices, while others were comforting in difficult times. Here is an exhaustive list, in no particular order. I have starred the ones that I believe to be essential.

A Course in Miracles*

Healing the Shame that Binds You by John Bradshaw *

Toxic Shame by John Bradshaw

Facing Love Addiction by Pia Mellody *

Facing Codependence by Pia Mellody*

When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron *

The Places that Scare You by Pema Chodron

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

A Lamp in the Darkness by Jack Kornfield *

The Heart of the Revolution by Noah Levine*

Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm by Thich Nhat Hanh

Healing the Child Within by Charles Whitfield *

A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson

Love Without Conditions by Paul Ferrini *

The Mind Body Prescription by Dr. John Sarno *

The Great Pain Deception by Steve Ray Ozanich

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay *

Heal Your Body by Louise Hay

Drop the Rock by Bill P., Todd W., and Sara S.

Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget by Sarah Hepola

Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp

The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts

Tattoos on the Heart by Father Gregory Boyle *

The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N Aron *

Introvert Power by Laurie A Helgoe

Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Life and Love from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed

The Way to Love by Anthony De Mello

Awareness by Anthony De Mello

Real Happiness by Sharon Salzberg

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E Frankl

When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner

Buddha’s Brain by Rick Hanson *

Facing the Fire by John Lee

Eating in the Light of the Moon by Dr. Anita Johnson

Breaking Free from Emotional Eating by Geneen Roth

Emotional Freedom by Judith Orloff

Defy Gravity by Caroline Myss

The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion by Christopher K. Germer

Undoing Depression: What Therapy Can’t Teach You and Medication Doesn’t Give You by Richard O’Connor *

Children of the Self-Absorbed by Nina Brown

The Body Myth by Margo Maine

Emotional Wellness by Osho

Mind Over Medicine by Lissa Rankin, M.D.

Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow by Elizabeth Lesser

Eating With Fierce Kindness by Sasha Loring

The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists by Eleanor Payson *