Here are 43 books that The Long Covid Handbook fans have personally recommended if you like
The Long Covid Handbook.
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I am myself an ME/CFS patient. While my background is not in science or medicine, I have turned my prior academic skills in philosophy to reading and studying the research into ME/CFS. I am now passionate about sharing my learnings with other patients, whether on my YouTube channel, in my book, or in talks to patient groups. In my advocacy work, I am also in regular contact and collaborate with Professor Klaus Wirth – one of the German researchers responsible for the recent breakthrough work into ME/CFS and whose work could ultimately lead to the first approved pill for ME/CFS and Long Covid.
I love being challenged in how I think about ME/CFS, and Dr Perrin, in coming at the illness from such an unusual angle, does just that.
For Perrin, spinal rigidity and obstructed lymphatic flow are key components of the illness. My first reaction to such claims: what can these things possibly have to do with an illness of exercise intolerance and post-exertional malaise?
Well, as I found from this lucid and engaging book, much more than you might think. The deal was sealed when an osteopath I visited confirmed that I also had all the problems Dr Perrin has noted in the spines of his ME/CFS patients.
Are you suffering from CFS/ME and/or fibromyalgia? Are you caring for someone with these conditions? Is someone close to you a sufferer? Almost certainly it will have taken your doctor some time to arrive at the diagnosis of CFS/ME and once there you may have been offered little more than 'graded exercise' and antidepressants to help with the condition. In the interim you may have tried many alternative approaches including changes in diet and lifestyle and a complex cocktail of dietary supplements. These may have helped but if the root cause is poor/blocked lymphatic drainage from the brain and this…
Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!
On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…
I am myself an ME/CFS patient. While my background is not in science or medicine, I have turned my prior academic skills in philosophy to reading and studying the research into ME/CFS. I am now passionate about sharing my learnings with other patients, whether on my YouTube channel, in my book, or in talks to patient groups. In my advocacy work, I am also in regular contact and collaborate with Professor Klaus Wirth – one of the German researchers responsible for the recent breakthrough work into ME/CFS and whose work could ultimately lead to the first approved pill for ME/CFS and Long Covid.
Neuroplasticity (aka "brain retraining") is such a controversial topic in the ME/CFS and Long Covid world, and I am personally strongly against any suggestion that these illnesses are "only" the result of a hypersensitive nervous system.
However, I do also think that a maladaptive neuroplastic state is one part of these conditions and that neuroplasticity can help.
While I find Hopper’s book short on instructions, I regard it as highly valuable because of its multiple testimonials of recovery from using brain retraining. I think that these offer fascinating accounts of the potential utility of neuroplasticity for ME/CFS and related illnesses, and I would encourage anyone to read them with an open – though discerning – mind.
Annie Hopper had exhausted the medical system and was still suffering from disabling symptoms of multiple chemical sensitivities, fibromyalgia and electric hypersensitivity syndrome. Hopper deduced that a toxic trauma had over activated threat and protective mechanisms in her brain that were keeping her body stuck in a cycle of chronic illness and inflammation. In her search for healing, she masterfully created a system that would remap her brain, end her suffering and restore normal health. Wired for Healing sheds light on how trauma causes the brain to disorganize neural circuits and shares triumphant stories of recovery of people who have…
I am myself an ME/CFS patient. While my background is not in science or medicine, I have turned my prior academic skills in philosophy to reading and studying the research into ME/CFS. I am now passionate about sharing my learnings with other patients, whether on my YouTube channel, in my book, or in talks to patient groups. In my advocacy work, I am also in regular contact and collaborate with Professor Klaus Wirth – one of the German researchers responsible for the recent breakthrough work into ME/CFS and whose work could ultimately lead to the first approved pill for ME/CFS and Long Covid.
In all the ME/CFS world, I find the story of Whitney Dafoe and his father, Prof Ron Davis, to be the most emblematic.
For those who don’t know, Whitney is completely bedridden with severe ME/CFS, and his father, a renowned geneticist at Stanford, pivoted his entire research efforts to find a cure for his son.
I am deeply moved by the sheer tenacity and persistence of both father and son – the one in facing the brutal realities of the most devastating form of the disease – and the other in his unwavering commitment to advancing the research into it, not just for his son but for us all.
I found this to be a gripping read, an inspiring instance of the intersection of science, patient experience, courage, and love.
“A renowned geneticist races against time to diagnose a malady that landed at his door... A complex, well-related story of medical detective work.” --KIRKUS
At the age of twenty-seven, Whitney Dafoe was forced to give up his life as a photographer who traveled the world. Bit by bit a mysterious illness stole away the pieces of his life: First, it took the strength of his legs, then his voice, and his ability to eat. Finally, even the sound of a footstep in his room became unbearable. The Puzzle Solver follows several years in which he desperately sought answers…
The problem is not with the actions young women take but with the toxic, sexist conditions they are responding to.
Tanenbaum found, based on six years of interviews with young people ages 14-30, that young women are navigating a culture littered with gendered dress codes, revenge porn, and sexually explicit…
I am myself an ME/CFS patient. While my background is not in science or medicine, I have turned my prior academic skills in philosophy to reading and studying the research into ME/CFS. I am now passionate about sharing my learnings with other patients, whether on my YouTube channel, in my book, or in talks to patient groups. In my advocacy work, I am also in regular contact and collaborate with Professor Klaus Wirth – one of the German researchers responsible for the recent breakthrough work into ME/CFS and whose work could ultimately lead to the first approved pill for ME/CFS and Long Covid.
Finally, I wanted to throw in a bit of a wildcard in the form of a book which details an as yet underused treatment, but one which could become an established option for patients with these illnesses.
In reading this, I was intrigued by Dr Propokov’s account of "intermittent hypoxic hyperoxic therapy" (IHHT), a treatment which – get this! – tricks the body into thinking it is at high altitude, along with all the benefits that entails (increased red blood cells, etc).
Given that ME/CFS is characterised by poor systemic oxygen extraction, I was really interested to learn of a therapy that can improve bodily oxygenation capacity at baseline, all the more so when paired with Dr Propokov’s accounts of healing among his chronic Lyme patients, an illness with myriad similarities to ME/CFS.
Could this become a widespread treatment for ME/CFS in the future? Having read this book, I wouldn’t…
Why on earth a biogerontologist, mitochondrial researcher and diving physician writes a book on Lyme-borreliosis? He hopes to educate and motivate readers for a proactive position regarding their health. The author uses described method for prevention, treatment and recovery of many health problems - for himself, his family and for his patients and clients with remarkable results for more than 30 years. The underlying scientific explanations elucidate in a simple, but detailed form, why his method works against Lyme disease and co-infections. This book doesn't force one to blind obedience to its recommendations; it encourages readers to build up their…
I am all about support, and support is a big part of Black Girl Magic. I believe that every woman should have a support system and community that values each and every person in it. Many of these authors have been featured on my podcast Support is Sexy, an interview-based podcast that introduces dynamic women professionals and the stories of their journeys to my audiences around the world. I recommended the books of these women because I love their message of self-care, self-love, support, and nurturing a healthy community.
We cannot always guide ourselves into a self-care mindset and the true transformation definitely doesn’t happen all at once.A Year of Self-Careby psychologist Dr. Zoe Shaw offers an easy and enjoyable way to navigate your self-love journey without feeling cringy. The daily practices, tips, and strategies are incredibly insightful and practical, and will benefit anyone looking to improve their overall sense of well-being.
Give yourself the gift of self-care using simple daily exercises
Gain a more positive outlook and improve your overall sense of well-being with this supportive and inspiring guided journal.
A Year of Self-Care will lead you through 365 simple, thought-provoking exercises created to help you stay committed to self-care. You’ll spend a year focusing on positive thinking and self-love with:
Bite-sized self-care tips—You don’t need a huge time commitment to start living a healthier life. These 15-minute motivational exercises make it easy to stick to a routine no matter how busy you are. That’s 91 hours of self-care over the…
I’ve finally realized that you can’t outwork yourself out of systemic problems and that so many of the messages we receive have got the problem wrong. Growing up, I was taught to respect my elders. To defer to those who know what they are talking about. But just because someone says something with conviction doesn’t mean they are right. What we’ve been told is imposter syndrome could actually be imposter treatment, and it messes deeply with our sense of self. So even if I’ve taught at brand name institutions, at corporate heavyweights, and on six continents, I’m always seeking to learn.
Self-care always seemed so fluffy and out of reach for me. There’s no way that going to the spa or having bubble baths solves the real challenges real people face. I love Pooja’s book because it looks at the systemic issues while making self-care real and practical.
I know I need to take care of myself. I’ve heard all the stuff about putting on your own oxygen mask before helping someone else, and my response has always been “yeahhhh, but.” My biggest takeaway from the book? Boundaries are not co-created.
National Bestseller featured by Good Morning America, NPR's Code Switch, The New York Times, and The Guardian
NPR's "Books We Love for 2023"
Forbes' "Greatest Self-Help Books of All Time"
"Realistic and trustworthy" -- InStyle
"This isn't just another self-help book. It gives us a clear-eyed look at the way social systems drain our energy, and a concrete set of principles to rely on as we declare independence from these systems." -Martha Beck, New York Times bestselling author of The Way of Integrity
"This book is for anyone who's ever removed a 'relaxing' sheet mask only to realize it hasn't…
Crossing is a vividly human re-imagining of the love, sacrifices, and accomplishments that two Chinese brothers - American Immigrants - experience as they travel to California to build the Transcontinental Railroad.
The central theme connecting the books on my list is the idea that our personal growth comes from creativity, straight talk, and honest reflection. All of these books are first-person accounts, which gives them credibility and authority, and they are quite inspiring. They encourage bravery, curiosity, resilience, and healing.
I wrote Morning Leaves as a way of processing the loss of my younger sister. I leaned into creativity and writing as a way of clarifying my thoughts, prioritizing, and ultimately healing from the grief. This collection of books taught me to trust my instincts, nurture my creative impulses, and find a path to joy.
This book by Melody Beattie sits by my bed and is usually the last thing I read at night.
I love that it is structured as daily entries, and her topics help me think about subjects I might otherwise not have considered. The way she writes is both very personal and quite spiritual.
I feel that I have learned how to better express myself by listening to her voice. She is clear and open and powerful. I find her work to be grounding and centering, especially in times of stress and uncertainty. It's the perfect way to transition from busy days into more peaceful nights.
In the spirit of her bestselling "The Language of Letting Go", America's most beloved inspirational writer guides us on a sacred journey as we learn to expand our creativity, embrace our powers, and open our hearts. Writing with the same warmth, honesty, and compassion that has attracted such a loyal following, Melody Beattie now charts a new path toward spiritual growth and renewal. In 365 insightful and delightfully warm daily reflections, "Journey to the Heart" will comfort and inspire us all as we begin to discover our true purpose in the world and learn to connect even more deeply with…
For 43 years, I have been a practitioner and educator, focusing on trauma recovery. Far too often, I’ve seen the treatment culture itself limit opportunities for clients to be in charge of their own healing. That ignited in me a commitment to empowering clients to have ownership of their healing journey. I am constantly looking for resources to help clients develop the skills they need to be an effective participant in and guide for their own healing. These books do that amazingly well, and I’ve seen the positive difference each of them can make in clients’ skillfulness and capacity for self-healing.
This is the most compassionate and humorous book about anxiety that I’ve ever read. Who would have thought that it could be this much fun to learn about anxiety? I mean, really, really learn about anxiety from someone who has felt its challenges and who has wrestled those challenges into an incredibly helpful and practical set of tools.
I love recommending this book to clients because I know they will feel seen and understood when they read it. I also know they will come away with more compassion for themselves, less shame, and a more expanded context in which to understand their anxiety symptoms. Most vitally, they will have been encouraged to take ownership of their relationship to the anxiety they feel.
** Winner of the 2020 Nautilus Award in Psychology **
Anxiety Is Unavoidable: Suffering Is Optional
“Anxiety Rx is unlike any book on anxiety and a must-read for anyone who suffers with chronic worry.” – Nicole LePera, PhD, The Holistic Psychologist
On February 8, 2013, I was a highly anxious and burned-out fifty-two-year-old physician. That night, as I left my clinic in my usual chronic state of anxiety, I wondered if life was worth living. But I had to be on stage as a stand-up comedian an hour later, so killing myself would have to wait. However, I never got…
I’m deeply passionate about us all being happy and healthy at work. I’ve been this way ever since I was old enough to realise just how much time we would spend there! I grew up in a time filled with images of stressed out, chain-smoking professionals, where the word ‘executive’ was synonymous with ‘burnout’. I knew there had to be a better way. I’ve worked in mental health for twenty years and corporate wellbeing for over a decade and I love to combine those experiences to help people have their best day at work every day.
This book got me thinking about how we need to adapt our lives to align with nature and how challenging this can be in the world of work.
When we have to set our alarm for the same time every day, commute in all weathers and adhere to our work, not mother nature’s, schedule then it can feel really tough. This book was thought provoking and got me thinking about mapping my work life balance across the seasons and the difference some simple adaptations to my life could make to my work.
An interesting and thought-provoking read, really well written.
In this paradigm-shifting health book, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of The Whole30 and It Starts with Food reveals a powerful new program to help us feel happier, healthier, and less stressed.
Fatigue. Burnout. Weight gain. Disease. Despite seemingly endless programs designed to help us lose weight and regain our health, readers are more overworked, overtired, and overweight than ever.
In The 4 Season Solution, Hartwig reveals the four keys of health - sleep, eat, move, connect - and explains how we can reconcile the needs of our ancient bodies with the demands and complications of modern…
At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Despite that brutal start, he’s lived twelve peaceful years with the man who took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears helps him hide the fact that he is Vanrian, a…
I am an addictions physician with a passion for the field of food addiction. I have spoken, taught, and written about this subject for over 15 years. I am the author of Food Junkies: Recovery from Food Addiction; have a thriving free Facebook group: I'm Sweet Enough: Sugar-Free for Life (which you are invited to join),and a podcast called Food Junkies—to catch up on the latest in the field. I am also a food addict in recovery for over 15 years and have maintained a 100-pound weight loss since then.
This book is written by the founder of the very successful weight loss food program, Susan Peirce Thompson. She covers the science and clinical picture of food addiction. Which she believes is essential for long-term successful weight loss.
This book is very public/reader-friendly. She is also a food addict in recovery and is very open about her trials and tribulations. I find her very engaging and personable.
Over 99% of people who try to lose weight don't succeed. They don't get slender and they don't stay slender long term. The average dieter spends a significant amount of money and makes four or five new attempts each year. Four or five new attempts each year with almost no hope of success. Only 1% of people will get down to their goal weight on traditional diets. Susan Peirce Thompson. Ph.D., suggests that there's something fishy going on here, something important we're not paying attention to. We don't have an obesity problem; we have an obesity mystery-and she has a…
