Book cover of Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words

Book description

After many years of revising the essays, author David Whyte has published this revised edition of his well loved book. In addition to sharper versions of many of the essays, it contains an additional piece, CLOSE:

To consciously become close is a form of unilateral disarmament, a chancing of our…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Consolations as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I loved the magic of the words and how Whyte took ordinary every day feelings and made me reflect on them. The book felt like a friend on my nightstand that I could always turn to. It is simple and beautiful and brought me feelings of peace.

This was an enormously important read for me this year.

Whyte explores the deepest meanings of common words like anger, courage, despair, disappointment, forgiveness, joy, loneliness, regret, silence, and withdrawal. I read this one slowly, a word or two at a time, to digest and savor.

While I disagreed with the meanings he read into every single word, I found so much helpful wisdom and insight here that I have returned to it again and again, and I have shared bits with others.

If you love Consolations...

Ad

Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Want books like Consolations?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Consolations.

Browse books like Consolations

Book cover of Plain Words: A Guide to the Use of English
Book cover of How to Write a Lot
Book cover of "They Say / I Say"

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,210

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like Consolations, you might also like...

Book cover of Old Man Country

Old Man Country by Thomas R. Cole,

This book follows the journey of a writer in search of wisdom as he narrates encounters with 12 distinguished American men over 80, including Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve, and Denton Cooley, the world’s most famous heart surgeon.

In these and other intimate conversations, the book…

Book cover of Lane and the Inventor

Lane and the Inventor by Amy Q. Barker,

A grumpy-sunshine, slow-burn, sweet-and-steamy romance set in wild and beautiful small-town Colorado. Lane Gravers is a wanderer, adventurer, yoga instructor, and social butterfly when she meets reserved, quiet, pensive Logan Hickory, a loner inventor with a painful past.

Dive into this small-town, steamy romance between two opposites who find love…

5 book lists we think you will like!