I have been recommending a lot of books based on genre or occasion, and this time I have decided to share some of my favorite books to heal from heartbreak – of any kind.

Everything About Love by Dolly Alderton

As you will see, I will be sharing books of different genres. In this case, Everything About Love, is a nonfiction book. It narrates the author’s experiences regarding love, friendships, and early adulthood in a very honest and conversational style.

Being completely honest, I grabbed this book because the title intrigued me, but I did not expect it to become such a life-changing book as it did. As a twenty-one year old, I could relate to several of the emotions that the author put into words so eloquently – growing up, growing out of friendships, struggling to find a sense of home, dealing with uncertainty about the future, choosing a rather unconventional career (in my case, writing), learning about love and how it has different meanings for different people among others.

The book is structure like individual essays that portray the author’s journey. I particularly like the excerpts titled “Everything I Know About Love at [age].” It was interesting to see how the author’s view on love progressed as the years went by and how she deconstructed the social term that is built around the word “love.”

I think this is a book that everyone needs to read, but especially if you are going through heartbreak or learning how to become your own person. It helped me understand that some people are simply not meant to stay– and that is okay (no matter how much it hurts).

Normal People by Sally Rooney

This fiction book narrates the journey of two teenagers that as they go into adulthood, they continue to find comfort in each other – even if never officially dating. Even though Rooney’s characters are fictionalized, I think this portrays a very real truth: sometimes the people we consider to be our soulmates are simply a chapter in the book of our lives. Sometimes the ones we love, only teach us something, and continue on their journey.

Normal People narrates the several instances of their lives in which these two characters meet. It also narrates the relationships that each of them get into but eventually they are led back to each other. However, the book ends by them saying their goodbyes. In my mind, I ask myself if they love each other, why aren’t they together? I think this book teaches you that love sometimes isn’t enough – even though it probably goes against everything I ever believed.

Rooney writes in a very colloquial style to which the reader can relate and understand without any difficulty. This book will allow you to reflect upon your own life and relationships.

Memories by Lang Leav

I wanted to include a poetry book since it is where I find most of my comfort during heartbreaking moments. I chose Memories because it captures both: moments of absolute love, and the aftermath of losing those we loved and trusted the most.

Leav writes poetry that is easy to understand yet there is always something that lingers after you read one of her poems like an unsaid emotion that stirs up inside of you. I think that resembles the feeling of heartbreak – even after you heart gets broken, there are still moments that make it all come back: the love and the pain.

In Memories, you will find comfort in knowing that loving makes you brave (even if hurts) and that beauty can also come from heartbreak.

Metamorphosis by Candela Rivero

I had to include my poetry book as well. I wrote this book based on my heartbreak experiences, yet writing it healed me. I hope that reading it also heals you. It narrates not only heartbreak in a romantic sense, but also when you lose yourself in search of someone else. Heartbreak can come from within as well as from someone we love.

The concept of Metamorphosis is grounded in the idea that beauty can also come from pain. Growth is a process, and you can’t expect your heart to heal instantly. Sometimes we have dwell in heartbreak to understand where to go from there. Sometimes it is this pain that pushes us to see our own worth, to see how beautiful our ability to love makes us. Metamorphosis aims to see our brokenness as an opportunity for growth.