The best book I hope you never [need to] read

I know, I'm not making any sense. Why would I add a book here that I hope you never read? Well if you need to read this book its because something horrible has happened and I truly hope that's not the case.

But sometimes life sucks. And grief sucks. And grieving in isolation sucks even worse.

So here's the best grief book I've found (and I've read a lot of them) so far. I've done the work so you don't have to.

It's Ok That You're Not Ok isn't just your regular book on grief. This book (well, Megan Devine) spoke to me and my grief on a level I hadn't found in any other book. She has a remarkable connection to grief that she's used to throw a lifeline to others in the midst of the worst parts of grief.

Why I love it:

1. She uses real and relatable language. She curses (which I love) and doesn't try to sugarcoat what grief can be. She spoke to the part of me that was sick and tired of hearing platitudes ("he's in a better place") and still really angry that I was even having to grieve. She met me where I was at - angry, confused, guilt-ridden, and isolated - and helped me feel more understood and connected.

2. The chapters are short. One of the common "side-effects" of grief is a much shorter (or nonexistent) attention span. Megan knows this. She wrote her book in a way that is easily digestible and can be picked up and put down whenever your energy levels allow. This was huge in my grief. Instead of making me feel more incapable, it made me feel seen.

3. It lets you skip around to what you need. Its not meant to be read in order. You can read it however you need, whenever you need. Each section tells you who its for and if its relevant to your experience. Some of the sections will even tell you to come back at another time. Again, grief-friendly.

The first time I read this book, I wrote so many notes, flagged so many pages, underlined and highlighted the hell out of the passages. And now I don't know where that copy is (or who I leant it to). I have bought this book several times (literally, I have no clue how many times I've bought it) because I'll give my copy away and send copies to friends who need it. In fact, in writing this post I've realized I need to add a copy to my next Amazon purchase because... I've given my last copy away.

All in all, one of the best resources I've ever found. And I truly hope you never need to read it. But if you do, I hope it helps you feel a little more connected and a little less isolated in this awful thing called grief.