
Recommended Reading Library
"I think books are like people, in the sense that they'll turn up in your life when you most need them."
-Emma Thompson
I LOVE to read, so I thought I'd share some of my favorite books here. Many of these have been helpful resources for me personally and professionally, and the others are just for fun! I update this page periodically as I read more material.
Happy Reading!

Buffalo Fluffalo
Bess Kalb and Erin Kraan
A cute rhyming book about being accepted for all parts of you and how sharing softer feelings can foster connection with others.
Cozy Inner Child Reads

More Than a Little
M.H. Clark
A sweet book about appreciating all the goodness a person brings to the world.
Cozy Inner Child Reads

The Rabbit Listened
Cori Doerrfeld
A book about how attuned emotional presence is the best regulation tool.
Cozy Inner Child Reads

The Wonder That Is You
Glenys Nellist
This is a sweet book about celebrating a child's first birthday and heartwarming way to tell a child how precious they are.
Cozy Inner Child Reads

Suffering and the Heart of God
Diane Langberg
An incredible honest and validating take on the devastating impact of trauma for survivors and helpers and God's heart for us through it all.
Faith in Suffering

Life of the Beloved
Henri J.M. Nouwen
This is such a lovely read using the metaphor of communion in integrating purpose into suffering. Nouwen says we are chosen-blessed-and broken-to be given. This concept aligns with my belief that pain and suffering can be transformed into self-compassion and compassion for others.
Faith in Suffering

The Problem of Pain
C.S. Lewis
A helpful read in making sense of why suffering happens
Faith in Suffering

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe
Heather Webber
A cozy read that I had a hard time putting down.
Fun and Leisure Reads

Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame
Olivia Ford
This is such a cute and cozy read. The perfect blend of two things I love- reading and baking shows.
Fun and Leisure Reads

Come As You Are
Emily Nagoski
This book is growing in popularity and for good reason! While I personally do not agree with all that is suggested in this book, I highly highly recommend it. Its a thorough, validating, and helpful guide on women's sexuality.
Educational Reads

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
Jesse Q. Sutanto
Oh my goodness, I really enjoyed this one. Despite the title this is a light and funny read!
Fun and Leisure Reads

The Women
Kristen Hannah
I think this is my favorite Kristen Hannah book so far! Amazing telling of the women who served in the Vietnam War.
Fun and Leisure Reads

Tell Me Everything
Minka Kelly
This is such an incredible memoir about what it is like to have a parent who battles addiction. She beautifully integrates her complex relationship with her mom into her present life.
Fun and Leisure Reads

Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts
Karen Kleiman
This is a postpartum recovery must have. A soothing and normalizing presentation of intrusive thoughts and special challenges new moms face.
Educational Reads

Good Inside
Becky Kennedy
This book is great for learning attachment-based parenting. A tool for parents, as well as, anyone interested in establishing a healthy dialogue with inner child work.
Educational Reads

Winter Garden
Kristin Hannah
This book travels in time from war torn Leningrad (present day Saint Petersburg, Russia) in 1941 to the year 2000. It's a book about doing unthinkable things to survive war, weathering loss, and the peculiar ways loss can connect people together.
Fun and Leisure Reads

The Alice Network
Katie Quinn
Trigger warning: This book shares details of sexual and physical violence that may be triggering for some readers.
Another historical fiction based on the true life of Louise de Bettignies, a WWI woman spy. A harrowing and unforgettable read!
Fun and Leisure Reads

The Last Year of the War
Susan Meissner
This read records a part of history that I was unfamiliar with- American internment camps. It's an interesting book about two friends who meet at an internment camp in the 1940s
Fun and Leisure Reads

Boundaries
Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend is a hugely popular book, and for good reason. This book is a wonderful introduction to the importance of boundaries, how and when to set boundaries, biblical principles that support boundaries, what boundaries look like in different contexts, and more!
Educational Reads

Snow Flower And The Secret Fan
Lisa See
This was the first book I read from Lisa See (I have enjoyed every one of her books, so if you have a chance check them out!) This book is about nineteenth century China and details the practice of foot binding while taking you through history through the lens of two friends.
Fun and Leisure Reads

Man's Search For Meaning
Viktor Frankl
This book was written by Viktor Frankl who was a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor. The first half of the book describes his experience at Auschwitz and other concentration camps. The second half of the book explores his theory Logotherapy. This book is an insightful and empowering read on how life has meaning even in the most miserable and atrocious circumstances. Please look for my post on my favorite quotes from this book!
Educational Reads

Harry Potter Series
J.K. Rowling
Would it really be a library without these? If you haven't read them-read them!
Fun and Leisure Reads

Gentle Whispers
Julie Gorman
This read is a 40 day devotional that a client gifted to me when we closed our work together, so I want to pay it forward and recommend it to you. This is my favorite devotional book I've read (so far). If you are looking for a good contextual-scripture-based-devo- look no further!
Faith in Suffering

Keeping the House
Ellen Baker
This book holds two of my favorite aspects found in novels- 1: historical fiction (this novel takes place during both World Wars) and 2: multigenerational (this novel travels through three different generations and brings you back to present time)
Fun and Leisure Reads

Patterns of Infidelity and Their Treatment
Emily M. Brown
A book I would recommend to fellow clinicians. It is a great tool for discovering ways to serve clients who have experienced affairs. It also categorizes the different types of affairs with specific intervention recommendations for each type.
Educational Reads

Tear Soup
Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen
Written and illustrated like a children's book, but is really applicable for all ages (I have even read this with adult clients). It is the most beautiful display of what grief and loss look like and includes helpful tips and resources on the ending pages.
Educational Reads

The Island of Sea Women
Lisa See
A historical fiction book about Jeju Island's Haenyeo divers. It is an incredible story of tragic trauma, resilience, friendship, and forgiveness. (This one is GOOD!)
Fun and Leisure Reads

Little Women
Louisa May Alcott
A classic that is actually good (in my biased opinion). My favorite quote from the book is, "One of the sweet uses of adversity is the genuine satisfaction which comes from hearty work of head or hand; and to the inspiration of necessity, we owe half the wise, beautiful, and useful blessings of the world."
Fun and Leisure Reads

Daring Greatly
Brené Brown
A wonderful exploration on what it means to be vulnerable. A must read for valuing and effectively engaging in emotional intimacy.
Educational Reads

The Body Keeps the Score
Bessel Van Der Kolk
A more challenging read, but excellent resource to better understand how trauma affects the brain and body.
Educational Reads

Codependent No More
Melody Beattie
Codependent No More by Melody Beattie is a fantastic book and relatable for many readers. The author speaks from personal experience and research on issues surrounding codependency, alcohol/substance abuse, self-sacrificing, roles in family of origin, and more. It is an empowering read on how to pursue healing for oneself. -Check out my post The Codependency Coaster for my favorite quotes from this book!
Educational Reads

A Grief Observed
C.S. Lewis
An honest telling of his personal journey through the grief process after losing his wife to cancer. It is a short read, but so very valuable.
Educational Reads

Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts
Les and Leslie Parrott
A faith based perspective on common roadblocks couples face. This is a great resource for engaged couples and tackles myths about marriage, expectations, spiritual intimacy and more.
Educational Reads
