The 15 Best Books to Read after a Breakup and Begin Your Healing

When it comes to healing post-breakup, sometimes all you need is a good book. But where to start? Take a look at these books to read after a breakup.

No one wants to go through hard situations, but we don’t have a choice. We must get through it somehow, and I’m here to help. I chose some books to read after a breakup to not only remind you how strong you are but help you through this phase of your life.

What can I say? Breakups suck. There’s nothing else to it. Even if you weren’t in love, you invested time and energy into someone you connected with. And now, they’re no longer in your life.

15 best books to read after a breakup

Usually, when getting over someone, we resort to rebounding or excessively creeping our ex’s social media. Not surprisingly, none of these things help. [Read: How to know if you’re ready for rebound sex or not]

You really should be focusing on the healing process, but from a different angle. Sure, your friends are there to comfort you, but sometimes the people around you don’t understand what you’re feeling.

Surprisingly, books can act as our shoulder to cry on and show a different perspective on the situation you find yourself in. Now, I’m not talking about every book. There are certainly some books I wouldn’t recommend you read during a breakup. You want a book that’s going to help you go through the healing process—make you laugh, cry, and remind you that breakups are just a part of life.

It’s time to heal. So, crack open one of these books to read after a breakup and let the healing begin!

#1 This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz. One of my favorite books of all time. This is How You Lose Her goes through the dating life of one man, and how he lost each of his relationships. It’s deep, it’s funny, and it’s honest. [Read: How to deal with heartbreak in a healthy way]

#2 Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed. Whatever you’re going through, whether it’s a breakup or the loss of a loved one, read this book. Strayed does an amazing job of simplifying the complex thoughts you have in your head, helping you to think clearly about your own life.

#3 My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite. Am I saying that murder is the answer? No! But sometimes you just need to take your mind off of the situation and dive into a crazy story. In this book, Ayoola has a small problem: she keeps killing her boyfriends. And her sister Korede keeps covering her up. But when they both fall in love with the same man, that’s when the drama begins. [Read: The pity playlist you need to help heal your broken heart]

#4 The Pisces by Melissa Broder. If you’re suffering from love withdrawal, then Broder’s book is something you need to check out. It’s the perfect story if you’re looking to escape out of your own mind.

#5 How to Date Men When You Hate Men by Blythe Roberson. Well, this is a pretty fitting title for the occasion, right? If you want to have a good laugh, then you need to read this book. Roberson covers everything from dating culture, trying to find dates, and being tired of men.

#6 My Education by Susan Choi. When you’re in love, it feels so real. In Choi’s book, she talks about the relationship between a grad student and married couple, and all the nitty-gritty details in between. Young love is beautiful, but it’s also bittersweet.

#7 The Curse of the Boyfriend Sweater by Alanna Okun. Just by the title, you know this book is going to be good. Okun does an amazing job of describing the emotions of being newly single. And she asks the question, “What do you do when your partner is not yours anymore?”

#8 Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. If the relationship you were in was anything but positive, then you’re probably thinking about making a change in your life. And that’s a great idea. In this book, Rhimes decides to say yes to everything for one year. Now, her life does change for the better, but that doesn’t mean you need to do the same thing. But you should try something new. [Read: How to listen to your gut and give strength to your inner voice]

#9 Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering. If you just left college and are experiencing a breakup, you’d be a fool not to read this book. This book is about going through young adulthood while being in a relationship. It will definitely help you work through your own situation. 

#10 How Stella got her Groove Back by Terry McMillan. You’ve probably heard of the movie, but I recommend you give the book a read first. A middle-aged woman goes to Jamaica and falls in love with a sexy, young man. It’s a great book to remind yourself that there’s more to life, and you will find love again. [Read: Self-discovery after a breakup – How to happily move on]

#11 Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante. If you want to let your mind get lost in darkness, then this is the novel for you. Days of Abandonment is a dramatic breakup story about an Italian woman who’s abandoned by her husband; leaving her with two children to raise. While she’s grieving, her mind goes down dark roads.

#12 Dear Future Boyfriend by Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz. Sometimes you just want to sit in your sadness, and that’s perfectly fine. In the poetry book, there’s a poem for every emotion you’re feeling right now. You’re not alone when this book is in your hands.

#13 Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo. Some love stories are simple, and others are more complicated. If your relationship was long-term and complex, well, then you’ll relate to this book. The narrative follows the lives of a complicated couple and the challenges which threaten their relationship.

#14 I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Cassandra Mortmain is 17-years-old and decided to write a journal about her life with her family in a deteriorating castle. But when two American brothers move to town, well, that changes the course of her life. [Read: The seven stages of grief to expect when you become an ex] 

#15 Stag’s Leap by Sharon Olds. Sometimes a book of poetry can hit the spot in ways a novel can’t. When mourning a breakup, you always need to read some super sad poetry, and, Olds’ poetry will take you through the grieving process. The book goes through the stages of grief and is based on when her husband left her for another woman.

[Read: How to let go of the past and look to the future]

Breakups are hard, but these good books to read after a breakup can make the healing process much easier. Grab one of these books and dive in.