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I have two confessions for you:

1. I’m a book hoarder. My mom calls me “something of a minimalist” and I take it as a compliment, even though it’s an exaggeration. But when it comes to books, I’m all in. I acquire them faster than I can read them.
2. The Grief Library makes me feel justified in buying more books.

This project is just a few months old, but I’ve already acquired plenty of new grief books in that time. So today, I’d love to know: Which of the following books would you like me to prioritize for my monthly reviews? Do you see any that speak to where you are in life? Are there some that simply sound like a good read? You can comment below or shoot me an email. The Grief Library is for you, after all.

“Aflame: Learning from Silence” by Pico Iyer: This isn’t strictly a grief book. Though he isn’t a member of a specific religious group, Iyer frequently visits a Benedictine hermitage for silent retreats. And in “Aflame,” he shares how that space has accompanied him through difficult moments in life. The jacket copy promises “ageless counsel about the power of silence and what it can teach us about how to live, how to love, and, ultimately, how to die.”

“Autumn Light: Season of Fire and Farewells” by Pico Iyer: “Aflame” grabbed my attention after its January 2025 publication, but “Autumn Light” caught me as I looked for used copies of the newer book. After his father-in-law’s death, Iyer immersed himself in his daily rhythms. But Japanese culture frequently reflects on the dead, and living in the country prompts Iyer to reflect on loss and change.

“Grief is Love: Living with Loss” by Marisa Renee Lee: Recommendations poured in as soon as I launched The Grief Library, and this one came from my former publicist and friend, Sarah Falter. Lee makes the case that grief includes loving the person you lost just as you did when they were alive. She also explores how grief explores Black people specifically—an angle that doesn’t apply to me personally but that I’m curious about. Representation matters!

“Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey” by Florence Williams: I remember reading about this one when it was published, and it felt timely when I stumbled across a discounted copy during recent travels. Williams is a science journalist, so when her 25-year marriage ended, it was natural to understand her physical reaction through reporting. I aim to add more “genres” of grief to this collection, and “Heartbreak” is a solid step.

“I’m Sorry for My Loss: An Urgent Examination of Reproductive Care in America” by Rebecca Little and Colleen Long: After a recent call for recs about specific types of grief, a friend sent me this title. Little and Long are journalists, friends and women who have experienced late-term pregnancy loss. It’s too common an experience, and yet so many people feel isolated and ashamed in the face of this particular grief.

“Some Bright Nowhere” by Ann Packer: Eliot and Claire are nearing the end of their decades-long marriage as Claire dies of cancer. As she faces her final months of life, Claire shares a final wish with Eliot—and it devastates him. I read this one in about a day on a return flight from Boston. It’s gripping.

“The Spare Room” by Helen Garner: I’ve got more than a few “dying from cancer” books on my shelves, but I don’t have a ton of books that deal with losing a friend. This short novel offers both of those perspectives as Helen invites Nicola into her guest room during Nicola’s alternative cancer treatment.

I’ve also got a more-or-less complete list of The Grief Library books below and on thegrieflibrary.com home page. Let me know what grabs your attention.