Here are 42 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…
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…
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 from specialist…
A Duke with rigid opinions, a Lady whose beliefs conflict with his, a long disputed parcel of land, a conniving neighbour, a desperate collaboration, a failure of trust, a love found despite it all.
Alexander Cavendish, Duke of Ravensworth, returned from war to find that his father and brother had…
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…
The Duke's Christmas Redemption
by
Arietta Richmond,
A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.
Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…
I went on my first diet in high school, a reaction to panic brought on by weight gain (which was a completely normal part of puberty). That first diet led to a decade of yo-yo dieting and food and body obession. It also led me to pursue a career in nutrition and fitness. Six years ago, I came across the book Intuitive Eating, which completely changed my life. Now, as a registered dietitian, nutrition therapist, and certified intuitive eating counselor, I'm passionate about helping people reclaim the space to eat and live, unapologetically. I'm the founder of Alissa Rumsey Nutrition and Wellness, a weight-inclusive nutrition practice that offers virtual counseling, group programs, and online trainings.
Body Respect was one of the first books that introduced me to the Health at Every Size® approach which changed how I thought about health. The book highlights the science behind health and weight in an approachable and easy-to-understand way. They break down the reasons why weight loss is not the key to health, the misconceptions of the BMI, and why fatness is not as linked to health as we’ve been led to believe.
Mainstream health science has let you down. Weight loss is not the key to health, diet and exercise are not effective weight-loss strategies and fatness is not a death sentence. You've heard it before: there's a global health crisis, and, unless we make some changes, we're in trouble. That much is true--but the epidemic is NOT obesity. The real crisis lies in the toxic stigma placed on certain bodies and the impact of living with inequality--not the numbers on a scale. In a mad dash to shrink our bodies, many of us get so caught up in searching for the…
I was born an anxious person and spent the first 18 years of my life trying to ignore panic attacks and anything to do with mental health. When I finally hit rock-bottom, I joined the CBT group Recovery International and discovered how freeing it was to be in control of my mental health. I now passionately talk and write about mental health, lead a weekly Recovery meeting, and teach CBT techniques to teens. Stigmatized portrayals of mental health in books - hospitalizations, suicide attempts, violent insanity, or being a pathetic burden - kept me from pursuing help, so I wrote my own novel with a positive, realistic take on anxiety and depression.
I’ve read this book about a dozen times in the past fifteen years, and I find new nuggets of wisdom with each visit. I was first convinced that I could overcome anxiety by reading Dr. Low’s strong conviction that there are no hopeless cases. He breaks down the root causes of mental health issues and describes cognitive-behavioral techniques for overcoming anger, negative judgments against oneself, fears, interpersonal conflicts, and many other ailments. His pithy sayings are easy to remember and have become the backbone of the self-help program Recovery International. Written in the 1950s, the examples and language can be somewhat dated – such as streetcars, elevator operators, and clotheslines – but his great love for his patients and his understanding of the human mind are timeless.
The Recovery Method was developed by Dr. Abraham Low to prevent relapses and alleviate chronic conditions in people suffering from mental illness or emotional problems. This self-help technique provides cognitive behavioral tools that have helped millions of people manage their symptoms for more than 80 years. Hundreds of peer leaders operate support groups throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Ireland. For more information, visit www.recoveryinternational.org
As a practicing pagan, and nature writer, I write books about how to reconnect to nature, how to rediscover and connect to your inner self, and your sense of spirituality. I grew up in the wilds of a large national park (Dartmoor) and have found that this colours and shapes everything I do. I spent thirty years living and working in London, and missed Dartmoor every day I was away. Whilst living in the city I had to learn ways to connect to nature, which is how I discovered my spiritual path. I was lucky enough to stage an escape and return home at forty-seven, and have been writing about it ever since.
I loved this book as it follows the author’s quest to reconnect with nature and rediscover a sense of enchantment following the challenges of the COVID lockdowns.
Split into the four elements – earth, air, fire, and water – the author describes her explorations of each element in her life and how if leads her back to herself. I love the book as it enabled me to see nature through the author’s eyes, and with a perspective that is in some ways almost entirely different to my own, and in others, in harmony with my own thoughts and feelings. It was indeed an enchanting read.
'It will do your soul good to read this.' NIGELLA LAWSON
A balm for our times from the internationally bestselling author of Wintering.
Our sense of enchantment is not only sparked by grand things. The awe-inspiring, the numinous, is all around us, all the time. It is transformed by our deliberate attention. The magic is of our own conjuring.
'A total joy . . . Thoughtful, patient and beautifully written, like walking with a friend as dusk settles, this is the book your soul needs right now.' CARIAD LLOYD
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…
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…
