kittic's review against another edition
5.0
I am always dubious of self-help titles or books that even border on the outer reaches of that category. This book may just have changed that. It is about grief. It is about love. It's is about self-help. But mostly it is about support and the means by which you can claim and own grief, love and support. This book should be prescribed reading for all who live with loss but perhaps most vitally everyone who is supporting another through loss.
imerjanian's review against another edition
3.0
It's very hard to accurately rate a book like this because, if you're seeking this book out, you're probably hurting and looking for a book that will heal what cannot be healed. That's a bit unfair.
That said, I have read a few other books that aim to help, and have found them more useful than this one. Marisa Renee Lee's book talks a lot about how her loss affected her career in a way that career-focused and affluent individuals may relate to, but it didn't resonate with me so much. The book did have some beautifully phrased thoughts on grief and love, but the resounding message seemed to be simply that you won't be perfect and it's important to accept wherever you're at. That's a great message, but I didn't find it as helpful as some other books I've read.
If you're experiencing grief and are looking for some help, I would recommend these books, along with a good therapist and a journal. <3
- [b:It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand|34261775|It's OK That You're Not OK Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand|Megan Devine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497560692l/34261775._SX50_.jpg|55319530]: A great book to get you through the first days and months after a major loss. The author speaks to her personal experience of suddenly losing her husband, but I found it very helpful for the loss of other loved ones as well.
- [b:I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Death of a Loved One|49327|I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Death of a Loved One|Brook Noel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387664813l/49327._SY75_.jpg|48246]: A very hard but helpful book talking about the many types of grief and some ways you can think about and work through them.
That said, I have read a few other books that aim to help, and have found them more useful than this one. Marisa Renee Lee's book talks a lot about how her loss affected her career in a way that career-focused and affluent individuals may relate to, but it didn't resonate with me so much. The book did have some beautifully phrased thoughts on grief and love, but the resounding message seemed to be simply that you won't be perfect and it's important to accept wherever you're at. That's a great message, but I didn't find it as helpful as some other books I've read.
If you're experiencing grief and are looking for some help, I would recommend these books, along with a good therapist and a journal. <3
- [b:It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand|34261775|It's OK That You're Not OK Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand|Megan Devine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497560692l/34261775._SX50_.jpg|55319530]: A great book to get you through the first days and months after a major loss. The author speaks to her personal experience of suddenly losing her husband, but I found it very helpful for the loss of other loved ones as well.
- [b:I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Death of a Loved One|49327|I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Death of a Loved One|Brook Noel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387664813l/49327._SY75_.jpg|48246]: A very hard but helpful book talking about the many types of grief and some ways you can think about and work through them.
rebeccasfantasyworld's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
amandabethslibrary's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
5.0
stuhlsatzg's review against another edition
5.0
This was a much better book (for me) than the previous one I read about grief. I think it had the formula that I appreciate in that the author shared a lot about her grief story and what got her through it.
A couple favorite quotes:
In addition to these quotes, the whole chapter about grace as awesome.
P 165
“How do we quell the longing that seemingly never ceases? You don’t. The longing is your love and love isn’t meant to be contained or quelled. The only thing that makes the longing more bearable is simply expecting it, and accepting it as a normal part of your life after death.”
P 141
“Her commitment to joy is my inheritance.”
“Experiencing joy is one of the many ways you can continue to love them.”
P 73
“‘If I never let you inconvenience me, then we aren’t really friends.’ … Who was I willing to inconvenience myself for and vice versa? Those are your people - the people who are truly on your team and will show up when things get hard, or when you get hard to be around; the friends who are skilled at rattling off your strengths and weaknesses and love you despite them, or maybe even because of those weaknesses.”
“And you know what? No matter how much they love you and you love them, they will not fully understand what you’re going through, but if they are truly your people, they will want to find a way to help you. If there is something they can help with, tell them.”
A couple favorite quotes:
In addition to these quotes, the whole chapter about grace as awesome.
P 165
“How do we quell the longing that seemingly never ceases? You don’t. The longing is your love and love isn’t meant to be contained or quelled. The only thing that makes the longing more bearable is simply expecting it, and accepting it as a normal part of your life after death.”
P 141
“Her commitment to joy is my inheritance.”
“Experiencing joy is one of the many ways you can continue to love them.”
P 73
“‘If I never let you inconvenience me, then we aren’t really friends.’ … Who was I willing to inconvenience myself for and vice versa? Those are your people - the people who are truly on your team and will show up when things get hard, or when you get hard to be around; the friends who are skilled at rattling off your strengths and weaknesses and love you despite them, or maybe even because of those weaknesses.”
“And you know what? No matter how much they love you and you love them, they will not fully understand what you’re going through, but if they are truly your people, they will want to find a way to help you. If there is something they can help with, tell them.”
cirrenamarie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
lesemaresi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0