Breakups, regardless of how they are handled, are always terrible. Most of us have been through them and we know the pain, sadness, and suffering that comes with them. It is true, a breakup can sometimes be the best thing to happen to you especially when you find yourself trapped in a toxic and unhealthy relationship, but a breakup is a breakup. It is the letting going of something that was part of you, the turning of an old page, and the starting of a new one.
Breakups are an opportunity for deep reflection, a time for processing and reckoning with learned lessons and ways to move forward. There are multiple ways to help you deal with breakups; an important one is through readings books about heartbreak. Such books help you learn from the insights of experts and from people who have been through the same experiences.
The purpose of my post today is to share with you some of the best breakup books for broken hearts. I consulted several expert sources, read through piles of readers reviews, and checked several other metrics to bring you the best in this field.
It was not easy coming up with a list on the topic of breakup because the market is full of garbage materials and so-called experts. You have to really dig deep to find seminal works in this area. No worries you don’t have to do the work. I already did.
Related: 23 of The Best Near Death Experience Books
Books about Heartbreak
Here are some of the best books about heartbreak. From inspirational journals to advice from world’s wisdom traditions, these breakup books provide valuable insight into how to cope with the heartache of a split and find joy in the midst of difficulty.
1. Getting Past Your Breakup, by Susan J. Elliott JD MEd
In Getting Past Your Breakup, readers are given an actionable plan to help them move on from a breakup and make it the best thing that ever happened to them. The central theme of the book is that contrary to popular belief, a breakup is not something to be feared and that with the right guidance and support, it can be an opportunity for growth and personal development. Getting Past Your Breakup provides readers with all of the tools they need to transform their love lives and find happiness again.
2. Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice from Dear Sugar, by Cheryl Strayed
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed is a compilation of the best advice given by bestselling author Cheryl Strayed. Originally published as an online column on The Rumpus, later adapted into a hit podcast, and now available as a popular Substack newsletter, Tiny Beautiful things is an essential collection of wisdom, insight and compassion. This 10th anniversary edition features 6 new columns along with a new preface by Strayed.
3. It’s Not Okay: Turning Heartbreak into Happily Never After, by Andi Dorfman
It’s Not Okay by Andi Dorfman is a memoir detailing the Bachelorette star’s tumultuous journey to find her happily ever after. The book details her experience on the show, her engagement and eventual heartbreak as well as her reflections on her own romantic issues.
It’s Not Okay provides readers with an honest look into Andi Dorfman’s journey and offers straight-talking advice to other women dealing with their own romantic issues. It is a story of love, loss and ultimately resilience.
4. Heal. Grow. Love: Words to Help You Become, by Pierre Alex Jeanty, Carla DuPont
Heal. Grow. Love by Pierre Alex Jeanty and Carla DuPont, is an inspirational collection of poetry and prose aimed at aiding readers in self-discovery and personal healing. From helping to build self-confidence and self-love to inspiring readers to let go of the past and open their hearts to love, Heal. Grow. Love gives readers the tools they need to become the best version of themselves.
5. Stop Overthinking, by Nick Trenton
Stop Overthinking by Nick Trenton is a book written for those struggling with anxiety and stress. It provides readers with detailed and proven techniques that help to rewire the brain, control thoughts, and change mental habits. The book provides 23 techniques to help readers relieve stress, stop negative spirals, declutter their minds, and focus on the present.
6. Let That Sh*t Go: A Journal for Leaving Your Bullsh*t Behind and Creating a Happy Life, by Monica Sweeney
Let That Sh*t Go by Monica Sweeney helps readers deal with the vagaries of life through the power of journaling. The book features positive journaling activities and inspirations that are sure to raise your spirit and leave you feeling content.
Let That Sh*t Go offers readers the opportunity to let go of their bullsh*t and create a happier life. If you’re looking for a good journal to help you cultivate your inner peace and rid yourself of the grudges that hold you back, Let That Sh*t Go is here to guide you on your journey.
7. The Wisdom of a Broken Heart, by Susan Piver
The Wisdom of a Broken Heart: How to Turn the Pain of a Breakup into Healing, Insight, and New Love by Susan Piver offers an approach to heartbreak that embraces the pain as an opportunity for personal growth.
The book is designed to support readers in finding comfort and healing through anecdotes, on-the-spot practices, meditations and advice from both Piver’s personal experience of heartbreak and from the world’s wisdom traditions. The book encourages readers to find strength, authenticity, power, and joy in the midst of heartache. The message is one of hope that they will eventually be okay.
8. When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, by Pema Chodron
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön, is an inspiring work on how to confront life’s toughest moments. Drawing from Buddhist wisdom, Pema encourages readers to move toward painful situations and become intimate with them in order to learn from and transform their suffering. When Things Fall Apart is an invaluable resource to help readers cope with life’s struggles and find joy in the midst of difficulty.
9. This Is How You Lose Her, by Junot DÃaz
This Is How You Lose Her, by Junot DÃaz, is a collection of short stories exploring the complexities of love, loss and longing. This book follows protagonist Yunior in his search for love and his struggles with recklessness.
We witness his escapades and heartbreaks as he encounters a doomed relationship at a beach in the Dominican Republic, a woman doing her lover’s laundry in New Jersey and then buying his son a baseball bat and glove in Boston. This powerful collection of stories paints an intimate portrait of human relationships, reminding us that despite our experiences, passion will always reign supreme.
10. Communion: The Female Search for Love, by bell hooks
Communion by bell hooks is a powerful exploration of love in American culture. In Communion, hooks delves into the female search for love – an intimate journey that examines how women search for, find, and experience love.
In this thoughtful and thorough exploration of the female experience of love, hooks offers an intimate and powerful portrait of the joys and sorrows that come with the quest to understand this central emotion.
Final thoughts
That brings us to the end of this ride through the emotionally challenging landscape of breakups, heartache, and the ever-complicated human emotion that is love. If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’re going through a rough patch yourself, or maybe you’re trying to be there for someone who is. Regardless, I hope you’ve found some solace and actionable advice within these lines.
Also, if you found this useful, you might want to check out my post on the best books about dealing with death and grief. Turns out, the written word is a pretty great place to find solace no matter what you’re going through.
