Janna’s Online Bookshelf

Books for healing, living, and growing

I am a reader. It started in fourth grade when my teacher asked me to do a book report every week. I was the kid who would much rather spend recess talking to the librarian than be on the playground, so this challenge was an easy one. Books and their authors have been trusted friends all my life, or at least since I was nine — which was quite a long time ago. When a problem or question comes up, I usually read a number of books on the same subject. Like a snow globe, I pour the chapters in, shake them all up, and whatever settles becomes a part of me. Some of the books that have stuck with me were read when I was twenty years old, others thirty years later. I’ve always wanted to have a place I could share the books that have been influential, the ones I would recommend to a friend off the top of my head. The books listed here have helped me answer questions about myself, about others, about how it is I can live in a world that is not always accepting, kind, or peaceful. There are also books that were a part of my graduate program, recommended by professors who do research and have spent their careers helping clients heal, live well, and grow into their truest selves. I like to read, and I love to talk about what I read just as much, which may say something about why I became a therapist. There are far more on my shelf, e-reader, and, my new favorite, Audible (I can listen and go outside to play at the same time — it’s called balance), so I would be happy to recommend something just for you.

- I have linked the books to Amazon for simplicity, but independent book stores can order these books as well. If you’re lucky enough to have one close, please support them when you can.