Books I recommend on cancer, suffering, loss, other things we wish we didn’t have to go through. All of these titles except one were recommended to me. You know who you are, I thank you.

Bald is Better with Earrings: A Survivor’s Guide to Getting Through Breast Cancer by Andrea Hutton

Better with Earrings was very helpful to me starting chemo and radiation. She’s correct, that earrings help a lot. I was surprised by the response from family and friends who read this book alongside my treatment. That in itself was encouraging. Should you love someone facing this journey, consider reading it. An e-copy is nice because it is searchable. My only criticism of this otherwise invaluable book is its lack of an index.

A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss by Jerry Sittser

There is loss all around cancer. Even if life itself isn’t. This might be best read when one is emotionally in a place to engage another human’s grief. Or for when one is desperate enough to tolerate being triggered.

Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved by (my hero) Kate Bowler

I read Everything Happens after her history of the prosperity gospel, after cancer 1 and before I knew cancer 2 was waiting for me. I consumed it on Audible in one sitting and lots of tears. Don’t wait to read this one. It is that good. She also has a podcast with some outstanding guests.

It’s OK to Laugh: (Crying is Cool, Too) by Nora McInnerny Purmort

Nora appears on the aforementioned podcast. I love her sense of humor. She narrates her own audio book, which makes the experience even better.