ED Hell
Books
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Below you will find some books that I have found beneficial to me in my quest for recovery.  Just because I have found them benefical does not necessarily mean that they are good books.  What one person finds beneficial another may find counter productive.  Just go by your gut instincts.  Personally speaking, I have found the majority of books that focus in on the eating disorder counter productive.  What we must realise again, is that the behaviours themselves are not the problem.  It is what lies underneath the behaviours that need to be addressed.  I am only listing the books that have been beneficial to me, some of these do indeed include books on eating disorders, but also other books that have no bearing on the subject whatsoever.  I hope that you find some material herein that might help you in your recovery.  Enjoy!

 
Shadow Dancer by Tom Bradby
Truly an excellent book!  It is based on the IRA.  It is about a member of the IRA who becomes an informer for the other side.  Tom Bradby goes into great detail to describe her struggles to decide with trying to do what is best for her family, despite the difficulties with that - trying to keep everyone happy.  It is a nail-biting, gripping book.
 
What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage
An uplifting story of one woman's coming to terms with her diagnosis of being HIV positive, and her return to her home town, and the relationships that she gets caught up in.  I really liked her sense of humour, on what is a serious subject.  It truly helps you appreciate the finer things in life.
 
The World Needs More Hugs by Andrew Davies
A book full of pictures of various types of animals, with one statement per photo.  The message conveyed within the book is that hugs and touch are important needs.  Through this it also manages to convey the sense of community spirit within the animal kingdom. 
 
Desperately Seeking Self by Viola Fodor
This is a guidebook for people with eating problems.  It challenges you to look inwards.  Its philosophy being that once you channel your energy into yourself, that you will then be ready to start dealing with the food.
 
Minding The Body: Women Writers on Body and Soul by Patricia Foster
This book makes you realise, "why does weight and/or size matter".  A good mixture of authors of all shapes and sizes, and from different ethnic backgrounds.
 
The Blue Day Book by Bradley Trevor Greive
This book is full of photos and captions.  It is a sweet little book, that by the time you have finished it you won't be able to help but smile.  Even on the worst of days this book has the ability to pick you up, even if only for a short while.  
 
The Book For People Who Do Too Much by Bradley Trevor Greive
A book of photographs of animals, along with quotes.  The book is definitely a positive one, showing how it may be reasonable that we want to beckon to everyone's needs, but it also shows that to be truly content we have to stand firm, and sometimes say no.
 
The Incredible Truth About Motherhood by Bradley Trevor Greive
A book with photographs of animals, along with various quotes.  it really makes you smile, as it portrays the development of human life quite accurately.
 
The Meaning of Life by Bradley Trevor Greive
This book full of various photographs of animals, along with thought provoking quotes.  As it states in the introduction of the book, it poses more questions than answers.  
 
Bulimia: A Guide To Recovery by Lindsey Hall and Leigh Cohn
This book has been one of the best recovery orientated books that I have read.  It gives practical advice, but also, gives a list of things that you can do to help distract yourself, and take yourself away from the food.  I think what was good about this book is that not only is Lindsey Hall herself recovered, but is now an expert in the field.  It also goes on to give a little of Lindsey Hall's road to recovery.  I simply cannot praise this book enough!
 
Self-Esteem Tools For Recovery by Lindsey Hall and Leigh Cohn
Offers tools to aid you in your recovery.  It can be used for all types of recovery, not just eating disorders.  It gives exercises that can be done at the end of each chapter too.  I have yet to do those, maybe in time I will - am not yet ready, or at least, I do not think I am. 
 
Eating in the Light of the Moon by Anita Johnston
This book shows how myths, metaphos and storytelling can be used as an aid in recovery.  The chapters are divided up into what I see as being different stages of recovery.  The message of the book, seems to be just to trust your inner self. 
 
This Much I Know is True by Wally Lamb
A story of two brothers, who were twins.  One of the twins has schizophrenia.  It shows the differences, yet the resemblances of the two brothers.  It is a story of strength and courage.  This author has great insight, into something that is largely misunderstood - very intuitive.
 
Bliss by Amanda Lowe
A simple, down to earth, yet humourous in parts, this book really makes you think about whether what you are doing is working.  If it's not working what can you do to help yourself.    
 
When I Loved Myself Enough by Kim McMillen with Alison McMillen
A little over the top, but a sweet book nonetheless.  An everyday book for everyday solutions.  
 
Lyn: A Story of Prostitution by Lyn Madden & June Levine
A true story about the trials and tribulations of prostitution in Ireland.  The risks involved, and the price to pay.  It really sheds new light on prostitution.  It shows Lyn's strength in breaking free, despite the repercussions involved. 
 
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
A novel which shows that even during times of hardship, there is still some hope.  A story of a boy who became stranded at sea alone with a tiger, and how they struggled to stay alive.
 
Help Yourself by Dave Pelzer
A book that gives you practical advice on how you can overcome any situation in life.  Dave Pelzer speaks from the heart, and believes the steps he offers in his book are what got him through the toughest years of his life.
 
Life Lessons by Dave Pelzer
In this book Dave Pelzer builds on the steps offered in "Help Yourself", in a clear and concise way.
 
A Starving Madness by Judith Ruskay Rabinor
A book written about recovery, from the therapists perspective.  I found it interesting, seeing things from the other side.
 
Dance Naked in Your Living Room by Rebecca Ruggles Radcliffe
A book on handling stress and finding joy.  This book offers practical, and safe suggestions on how to deal with pent up anger.  I could not resist this book - the title was what appealed to me, more than the content itself.
 
Sensing The Self by Sheila M Reindl
This is a book written on what recovery is like.  I found it beneficial, in that I could identify with a lot of what was said within the book.  It is very clinical orientated though, especially in the beginning.  It is a book that demands your focus!  It is always good to be able to relate to what is either said or written, especially in recovery.  One thing that I never realised before, but now do, is that I have a tendency to hide behind words.  I tend to try and take the focus away from myself, or throw in a bit of a joke.  I hate the focus being on me!  Well worth a read!
 
Lucky by Alice Seblod
An autobiography based on the authors' own experiences of surviving and dealing with her situation of being raped.  A truly inspirational story.  I really liked how it portrayed the affect it had on her friends and family alike.
 
Guilt by Association by Susan R Sloane
This is a book, written on the main characters sufferings, and how she dealt with being raped in the 60's.  It explains how the victim had a chance opportunity at revenge, and took the bull by the horns.  The author manages to portray the strength of the character with such conviction.  It was book where I got completely wrapped up in the stoy, as if I was living through the torture myself.  I could not help but feel for the character.  A compelling read!
 
Yesterday, I Cried by Iyanla Vanzant
This is a book, based on the authors own life experiences, and as a consequence, the lessons she learnt.  It is about celebrating the lessons of living and loving.  Despite the fact that the message within the book, was a positive one I found it quite difficult to read - the authors life experiences were quite heavy, and intense.

The Colour Purple by Alice Walker
A very uplifting book.  This book, though spiritual, reads like a novel.  It explores topics which range from survival to sexuality.  This book is a must on any book lovers shelf!
 
Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner
A very enjoyable book.  The main charachter's ex-boyfriend has an article entitle "loving a larger woman", which sets the scene for the book.  I liked the authors no nonsense appraoch, and the sense of humour intertwined in what could have otherwise been mundane.  I reckon, that people who have ever had food issues, would definitely appreciate the sense of humour here.  The book touches on many aspects of life from sexuality, to finding love etc. 
 
Healing The Inner Child bu Charles L Whitfield
A very simple, yet insightful book.  The author gives plenty of ways on how to move forward on your journey.  
 
Pooh and the Psychologists by John Tyerman Williams
This book has an interesting way of looking at Pooh and his friends.
 
The Little Book of Calm by Paul Wilson
Gives practical advice, to help reduce the stress in everyday life.  It is a little pocketbook that you can pick up at any time, and in any place.  Just open up any page.  
 
Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel
A book on being depressed.  This author definitely has a way with words.  I could identify only too well with how she felt.  Not a fun place to be!
 
More, Now, Again by Elizabeth Wurtzel
Sequel to "Prozac Nation".  The author's story of recovery.  Again I could identify with a lot of what she said.