Books That Helped Me Heal from Bullying
A Personal Healing Library
Healing from abuse is never linear, and for me, books became lifelines — each one offering insight, validation, and hope when I needed it most. This curated list includes the books that helped me process trauma, build resilience, and reconnect with my inner strength.
If you’re on a healing journey of your own, I hope these reads serve as gentle companions along the way.
by Dr. Judith Herman
Trauma and Recovery is the foundational text on understanding trauma survivors.
Hailed by the New York Times as “one of the most important psychiatry works to be published since Freud,” Trauma and Recovery is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how we heal.
by Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist is a poetic tale about following your dreams, trusting the journey, and listening to your heart. For those healing from bullying or abuse, this story offers hope and inspiration—reminding readers that even through pain, life is guiding you toward your purpose.
by Jennette McCurdy
I’m Glad My Mom Died is a raw, darkly honest memoir about surviving emotional abuse and reclaiming identity. For anyone healing from toxic family dynamics or long-term manipulation, Jennette McCurdy’s story offers validation, courage, and a powerful reminder that it’s okay to speak your truth and set yourself free.
by Robert Greene
The 48 Laws of Power offers insight into how people manipulate, control, and influence others—making it a valuable read for anyone healing from bullying or abuse. Understanding these power dynamics can help survivors recognize toxic behavior, set boundaries, and reclaim personal strength.
by Daniel Goleman
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman explores how understanding and managing emotions is key to personal well-being and healthy relationships. For those healing from bullying or abuse, this book helps build self-awareness, resilience, and empathy—empowering readers to break negative cycles and connect more deeply with themselves and others.
by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
The Body Keeps the Score explains how trauma impacts the brain and body, often long after the experience is over. For survivors of bullying or abuse, this book offers deep insight into why healing can feel so complex—and introduces proven, body-based therapies that help people truly recover and reconnect with themselves.
by Richard Whelan
Self-Reliance shares timeless wisdom on trusting yourself, thinking independently, and honoring your inner voice. For anyone healing from bullying or abuse, Emerson’s words serve as a reminder that true strength comes from within—and that your worth isn’t defined by others’ opinions.
by Aristotle
The Basic Works of Aristotle presents foundational ideas on ethics, purpose, and the human condition. For those healing from bullying or abuse, Aristotle’s timeless insights into virtue, reason, and inner balance can inspire reflection, rebuild self-worth, and offer a philosophical grounding for personal growth.
by Michael A. Singer
The Untethered Soul explores how to quiet the inner critic and find peace beyond fear, trauma, and self-doubt. For survivors of bullying or abuse, this book offers a path to emotional freedom—teaching how to release pain from the past and live more fully in the present.
by Brianna Wiest
101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think is a collection of thought-provoking reflections on self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal growth. For those recovering from bullying or abuse, these essays offer clarity, challenge limiting beliefs, and encourage deep inner transformation.
by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Flow explores how people find deep fulfillment through focused, meaningful activity. For those healing from bullying or abuse, this book offers a roadmap to reconnect with joy, purpose, and self-worth by engaging fully in the present and creating experiences that restore a sense of control and inner peace.
by Mark Wolynn
It Didn’t Start with You reveals how unresolved trauma can be passed down through generations and how we can break those patterns. For anyone healing from bullying or abuse, this book offers powerful insight into inherited pain—and practical tools to help end the cycle and reclaim your life.
by Yung Pueblo
Lighter is a gentle yet powerful guide to emotional release, self-compassion, and mindful living. For survivors of bullying or abuse, Yung Pueblo’s reflections offer a path to let go of past pain, reconnect with the present, and step into a lighter, freer version of yourself.
by Gary John Bishop
Unfu*k Yourself is a bold, no-nonsense guide to breaking free from negative self-talk and self-sabotage. For anyone recovering from bullying or abuse, this book encourages taking back control of your mindset, challenging limiting beliefs, and reclaiming your power—one tough-love truth at a time.
by Lysa TerKeurst
Forgiving What You Can’t Forget offers practical, faith-based guidance on how to release resentment and find peace after deep hurt. For survivors of bullying or abuse, this book gently walks through the process of healing emotional wounds—even when the pain feels unforgettable—and shows how forgiveness can be a gift to yourself.
by Joshua Medcalf
Chop Wood Carry Water is a simple yet powerful guide to embracing discipline, patience, and purpose through life’s everyday challenges. For those healing from bullying or abuse, it’s a reminder that growth happens through small, consistent steps—and that strength is built by showing up for yourself, even when it’s hard.
by Betty Smith
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a coming-of-age story about resilience, poverty, and hope in the face of hardship. For anyone healing from bullying or a difficult past, Francie Nolan’s quiet strength and determination to rise above her circumstances offer comfort, inspiration, and a sense that beauty can grow in even the toughest places.
by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice is a timeless novel about self-respect, personal growth, and challenging societal expectations. For those healing from bullying or toxic judgment, Elizabeth Bennet’s journey reminds us of the power in knowing your worth, staying true to yourself, and not letting others define your value.
by Zondervan
NIV, Journal the Word Bible offers space not just to read Scripture, but to interact with it—through reflection, journaling, and prayer. For those healing from bullying or abuse, this Bible can be a companion for spiritual grounding, emotional restoration, and rediscovering hope through a deeper connection with God.