Books and Podcasts for the Grieving
Resources I Always Share with Someone Who's Grieving
Whenever someone I know experiences a loss, there are a few resources I always like to share right away. These aren’t your typical “5 stages of grief” guides or religious books and podcasts. They’re a little different — a little raw — but for me, they’ve always been incredibly helpful.
Here’s what I recommend:
Podcast
All There Is
by Anderson Cooper
In this deeply personal podcast, Anderson Cooper explores his own complicated grief journey while interviewing others about theirs. It’s raw, beautiful, and incredibly validating — the kind of storytelling that reminds you you’re not alone.
Podcast
Terrible, Thanks for Asking
by Nora McInerny
This show keeps it real. Hosted by author Nora McInerny, it’s all about letting real people get brutally honest about how they’re really doing. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, almost always both — it’s a true reflection of what grief actually feels like.
Memoir
Crying in H Mart
by Michelle Zauner
This memoir won’t try to make you feel better — and that’s exactly why it’s so powerful. Michelle Zauner’s raw take on grief and culture gave me permission to feel everything. I read it when I felt like my grief was getting “stuck” and needed a good cry to move through it.
Book
The Beauty of What Remains
by Rabbi Steve Leder
Rabbi Steve Leder draws from his experience guiding thousands through grief — and from losing his own father — to offer a heartfelt, often humorous look at loss. His honest, compassionate storytelling shows how even the hardest goodbyes can help us live, love, and appreciate what truly matters.
Podcast
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory
by Caitlin Doughty
Ok, hear me out: this book is not for everyone. But if you’re at a point where you can laugh and learn a little, it’s fascinating. Caitlin Doughty pulls back the curtain on what really happens at a funeral home, making the unknown feel a little less scary — and a lot less mysterious.
Memoir
I’m Glad My Mom Died
by Jennette McCurdy
Another one that’s not for everyone. But if you had a complicated relationship with a parent who has passed away, Jennette McCurdy’s brutally honest memoir might help you feel seen — and remind you that grief isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Everyone’s grief journey is different. But sometimes hearing (or reading) the right words at the right time can crack open a little space for healing. If you know someone who’s grieving — or if that someone is you — maybe one of these will meet you where you are.
Related posts
No posts found