What’s on Jenn’s Nightstand

 

Primarily Science

Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection by John Cacioppo and William Patrick

Loneliness explores the evolutions of social connection with an extensive review of primate studies and fascinating cross-cultural observations.

 

Buddha’s Brain by Rick Hanson

Hanson’s wise book on how to care for yourself with brain science, psychological research, gentle meditation practices, and nutrition tips. My favorite book of his!

 

 

A General Theory of Love by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amino, and Richard Lannon

If you want to understand why people break your heart in relationships, check out this book. It reads like fast-paced mystery novel and look into the neuroscience of love, betrayal, and connection.

 

What Happened to You?  by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey

Grounded in neuroscience and personal reflections, this book is a good once to learn how trauma effects us and how to heal through science-based strategies, community, and the joy of connection.

 

 Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation by Dr Dan Siegal

Written by neuroscience psychiatrist and counselor, Dr. Siegal’s book is a great introduction to interpersonal neurobiology, hoping us move us towards safety and connection in all most important relationships.

 

No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz

A great primer on Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and practical exercises on tuning into your inner family.

 

The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Soloman

Part history and  memoir, queer writer and journalist Andrew Soloman wrote a tome to help us understand the common cold of mental illness–depression.

 

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

A classic on trauma recovery and healing: Bessel writes compassionately about trauma from the perspective of a scientist with the heart of poet. Trigger warning: I wouldn’t read this one to start as it’s good a lot of graphic stories of trauma. 

 

 

Psychospiritual 

The Gifts of Imperfection by Dr. Brene Brown

This book is the perfect introduction to Dr. Brown’s shame resilience work, and her ten guideposts are practical steps for creating an embodied and meaningful life with the one you have now. 

 

 

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Dr. Lindsey Gibson

An important read for adult children recovering from parents who were not able or willing to provide emotional support, care, and connection in childhood. 

 

 

All About Love by bell hooks

Brilliant and insightful, the book changed the way I talk about love. For anyone who wants a feminist and highly compassionate perspective on the different forms of love and possibilities for hope and change.

 

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff

Dr. Kristin Neff’s compelling first book details exactly how being kind to ourselves can help change the world, one heart at a time. 

 

 

Original Love by Henry Shukman

Zen Master Henry Shukman writes elegantly about how the practice of meditation can help renew, strengthen, and empower your life. 

 

 

Memoir

The Book of Delights by Ross Gay

In addition to love and friendship, writer and poet Gay writes about the challenging things of life like racism, death, and grief, searching for delight there too. An inspiring read that will help you look for and find more delight in your own life. 

 

Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy

Grealy’s first and only memoir showcases a brilliant mind gone too soon. A cancer diagnosis at age ten and thirty-six reconstruction surgeries on her face matches her beautiful mind and generous heart in her search for a meaningful life. 

 

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

As a Potowantami woman, botanist, and nature writer, Kimmerer brings indigenous wisdom and a call to love and care for the natural world, the only home we have. This book may make you into a gardener as it did me!

 

 Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott

A spiritual classic on everything from addiction recovery, the wonders and pitfalls of single motherhood, and celebrating imperfect communities of love. 

 

 

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

May’s readable, uplifting book is part memoir, literature review, and science exploration of how our view of winter can nurture and empower us. 

 

 

 Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett’s luminous prose about her literary friendship with the tortured writer Lucy Grealy is filled with wit and pathos, beautifully depicting how women friendships can be just as deep, lasting, and loving as any romantic love. 

 

You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith

A precise storyteller on the devastation of her marriage ending. So compelling I finished it and started it over immediately. 

 

The Buddha and the Borderline by Kiera Van Gelder

Van Gelder’s quest for liberation from borderline personality. Highly recommended for anyone dealing with this condition who is looking for hope, humor, and healing on the path.

 

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson

Winterson transmutes the hell of an abusive childhood and herself into a strong, courageous, and literary voice of love and acceptance of the adoptive mother who harmed her. 

 

When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams

A heart-soaring memoir and a poetic rendering of the power of a woman’s voice and a love letter to life’s abundance. 

 

Spirituality

Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh

Essential reading for anyone interested in how practicing mindfulness can help you cultivate peace moment-by-moment.

 

Sacred Earth Sacred Soul by John Phillip Newell

Part history and spiritual direction, Newell’s book is a wonderful resource for anyone wanting to rediscover and practice welcoming the Divine feminine in our midst.

 

The Divine Dance by Richard Rohr

An excellent book on the psychology and theology of the divine presence in human life. 

 

 

The Road Back to You: an Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Suzanne Stabiles and Ian Cron

One of the best introductory books on the Enneagram written by two fabulous spiritual directors and therapists. 

 

Through Forests of Every Color by Joan Sutherland

This is an intimate look into Sutherland’s spiritual journey as a meditation and koan teacher. Brief essays on short-phrases in Zen practice that are really beautiful, calming, and expansive. 

 

 

Zen Mind Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

This small but powerful collection of talks given by Suzuki Roshi distills the essence of Zen meditation and practice. Accessible, humorous, and caring, and definitely worth reading!

 

Consolations by David Whyte

Explores words as if they are gems to find deeper meanings like the connection of loneliness, the generosity of despair, and the urgent need for rest.

 

 

Poetry

What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer

Baer never set out to be a poet, but these super brief and insightful poems will light you up. A call to being an imperfect woman, mom, and caregiver in the tumultuous modern world. 

 

Where Hope Comes From: Poems of Resilience, Healing, and Light by Nikita Gill

Indian-English poet Nikita Gill wrote these during the pandemic and they are necessary reading now as we confront harsh realities now. 

 

The Unfolding by Rosemary Whatola Trommer

How to come alive after her loss of her teen son to suicide and her father to old age. A treasure of a book that I return to again and again. 

 

Helping you shift from brutal self-criticism to kindness