Regardless of the circumstances, divorce is always a complicated life change to navigate, not just for adults, but also for any children involved. Although some marriages end quite amicably, for many others, it can be hard to find the light at the end of the tunnel.
Hopefully, you have friends or family to help support you through this time, but if you’re going through a divorce or separation, you an also turn to books for advice and support as you process this difficult season.
11 Helpful Books About Divorce
If you are currently undergoing a divorce or know someone who is, we hope that some of these books can offer much-needed support and understanding.
1. Getting Past Your Breakup by Susan J. Elliott
This self-help book is an Amazon bestseller, as the author offers her advice stemming from her own experience with divorce. The book can help you manage feelings of loneliness, as well as deal with your ex-spouse. Elliott advocates a “no-contact” system, which readers attest to as very helpful advice.
2. Codependent No More by Melody Beattie
This book identifies one of the common struggles surrounding divorce, which is the issue of control. It focuses on helping you stop your urge to control other people and instead start to take care of yourself, so that you can also be “codependent no more.”
3. Heartburn by Nora Ephron
The author of When Harry Met Sally brings us this novel about divorce with a bit of autobiographical flair. It tells the story of a wife who, at seven months into her pregnancy, discovers her husband loves someone else. How will she navigate such a painful situation?
4. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
This series of stories offers a glimpse into the human experience, with insight to painful issues that you’ll need to face and process after divorce. The entertaining and witty tone provides a welcome break from the serious slant of most self-help books or books about therapy and divorce.
5. It’s Called a Breakup Because It’s Broken by Greg Behrendt
Written by the co-author of He’s Just Not That Into You, this book dishes out some brutal honesty, but sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to push you in the right direction. The good thing is that, in the midst of what may feel like painful advice, this book is full of humorous insights.
6. All About Love by Bell Hooks
Coming from a feminist perspective, this book is a great option for women who are leaving a toxic marriage. This book will also challenge some of your perspectives about love and relationships, giving you a fresh picture of how you will think about love from this point forward.
7. Aftermath: On Marriage and Separation by Rachel Cusk
Because Rachel Cusk tells her own story of separation in a truly candid way, you’ll get to see the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of divorce. Realizing that someone else has felt exactly what you’re feeling can offer the invaluable support and encouragement you need to move forward.
8. You Can Heal Your Heart by Louise L. Hay and David Kessler
Divorce can have negative impacts on your emotional health and self-esteem. This book is written in a light, comforting style to help you navigate the pathways of grief, and offer hope to even the most hopeless that yes, heart restoration is not just possible, but closer to your grasp than you ever thought.
9. Split by Suzanne Finnamore
This book details the five stages of the grieving process and everything that goes along with it, because, after all, divorce does involve losing someone who was a big part of your life. Although it is essentially a memoir, this book also offers practical advice, presented in a highly engaging way.
10. Mom’s House, Dad’s House by Isolina Ricci, Ph. D.
One of the most difficult things to navigate after a divorce is the children: how do you help them navigate mom and dad having two separate houses, especially if they are allowed visiting time?
Ricci lays essential groundwork into why some people can co-parent more peacefully than others. Plus, it also includes helpful checklists and case scenarios to help you put things into perspective.
11. How to Sleep Alone in a King-Size Bed by Theo Pauline Nestor
This book is an honest account of the author’s own divorce, making it a very comforting read for someone going through the same experience. She writes in a way that will stir up your emotions, including anger and sadness, but also serves as kind of a distraction.
Reading Books About Divorce
Divorce is never a simple thing, and while you will be able to learn from books about divorce, we believe books are never a substitute for professional help. If you need it, we would highly encourage going for therapy to help you process the emotions involved in this season of your life.
If you are undergoing a divorce, remember to also take care of yourself. This can include making time to do things you enjoy, and if you love reading, consider adding other books not related in any way to divorce to your list. This way, you will be helping yourself grow past the experience while also growing holistically as a person.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
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Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
