Books Unique To Grieving the Loss of a Mother

Whether you are personally experiencing the raw emotions of losing your mother or helping a loved one grieve the loss of their mother, books can be viewed as a great tool in their “grief toolkit.” These books give their readers a “me too” perspective as they read of others who have walked this road before them. 

• "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion
  This memoir by the acclaimed author chronicles the year following the sudden death of Didion's husband and the subsequent hospitalization of her daughter. The book explores the author's grief and mourning and attempts to make sense of her loss.

• "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness
  A novel about a young boy dealing with his mother's terminal illness and the coping mechanisms he develops to deal with it, including the help of a tree-like monster who visits him in his dreams.

• "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker
  This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a coming-of-age story of a young girl in rural Georgia in the early 20th century. The protagonist, Celie, loses her mother at a young age and deals with the death and the difficult life that follows, including abuse and poverty.

• "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Leo Tolstoy
  This classic novel tells the story of a man on his deathbed, reflecting on his life and how he has lived it. The book explores death, grief, and the meaning of life.

• "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch
  This memoir by a computer science professor diagnosed with terminal cancer details his reflections on living a fulfilling life and the lessons he learned from his mother.

• "The Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses" by John W. James and Russell Friedman
  This book is a practical guide on how to cope with grief, offering a step-by-step program to help readers understand, process, and move beyond their grief.

• “I Wasn’t Ready To Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One (A Compassionate Grief Recovery Book)” by Brook Noel and Pamela D Blair PhD
  This highly-rated grief book has helped thousands through their grief journey. This book is for both the griever and those helping someone, and its in-depth look at grief helps all involved navigate the pain of loss. 

• “It’s OK That You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand” by Meagan Devine
  With nearly 9,000 raving reviews, this book was written from the perspective of a therapist and a woman who lost her partner to accidental drowning. She will discuss why well-meaning words often make grief harder; she’ll challenge the myths in grief and help guide you through managing your pain.

• “Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief” by Martha Whitmore Hickman
  This classic guide to grief and loss gives its readers thoughtful words to strengthen, inspire, and comfort.

• “Healing After the Loss of Your Mother: A Grief & Comfort Manual” By Elaine MallonThis practical heartfelt guide walks its readers through the unique and raw pain of losing your mother. This book includes a step-by-step guidebook about what to do and how to process the grief of losing your mother. 

• “The Orphaned Adult: Understanding and Coping With Grief After The Death of Our Parents” By Alexander Levy
  The raw and insightful book gives readers insight into the emotions often accompanying parents' deaths.