> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://achronicvoice.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Book Recommendations for Spoonies (but You're All Invited, Too!) - URL: https://achronicvoice.com/book-recommendations-spoonies/ - Published: 2018-03-28T15:18:37.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-06T16:35:38.000Z - Author: Sheryl Chan - Tags: Books & Magazines, Reviews, Chronic Illness, Disability, Home & Lifestyle, Personal Development ## Book Recommendations for Spoonies (People with Chronic Illnesses), but Suitable for All Hello and welcome to the first in a series of book roundups, curated with spoonies in mind! They’re all written by people with various illnesses themselves, or with content that is relevant to our way of life. I’ll also throw in some unrelated, bonus recommendations here and there, as a welcome break from the constant talk of pain, pain, pain! If you’re healthy, these are also great reads to delve into the strange world of disease, or to better understand what a loved one is going through. Illness is complex, and [**permeates all aspects of a person’s psyche and body**](https://achronicvoice.com/worst-part-about-chronic-illness/). Without further ado, here are the first five books for your consideration. If you’ve read any of these before, I’d love to hear what you thought about them, and I’m sure your review will be useful to others, too! Just leave a comment at the end of this post 🙂 *\*Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational purposes, and is based on my personal experiences as a patient. *I am not a doctor, and nothing in this article should be substituted for medical advice.* Please consult your own doctor before changing or adding *any* new treatment protocols. This post may also contain affiliate links. It will cost you nothing to click on them. I will get a small referral fee from purchases you make, which helps with the maintenance of this blog. Read our* [***Privacy Policy***](https://achronicvoice.com/privacy-policy/)*page for more information. Thank you!* Pin to Your Book Recommendations for Spoonies Board: ![Book Recommendations for Spoonies (but You’re All Invited, Too!)](https://cdn.achronicvoice.com/good-books-book-recommendations-spoonies-all-invited.jpg) More Book Recommendations for People with Chronic Illness: - [Book Recommendations for Spoonies: Part II](https://achronicvoice.com/book-recommendations-spoonies-2/) - [Book Recommendations for the Chronically Ill: Part III](https://achronicvoice.com/book-recommendations-3-chronically-ill/) - [Book Review: The Narwhal Who Suffers from Chronic Migraines](https://achronicvoice.com/book-review-narwhal-migraines/) - [Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl: 16 Takeaways with Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/mans-search-for-meaning-chronic-illness/) - [12 Lessons on Mindfulness (or “How to Relax” by Thich Nhat Hanh)](https://achronicvoice.com/lessons-on-mindfulness-thich-nhat-hanh/) --- ### If You’re Feeling...Self-Reflective [![The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating (By: Elisabeth Tova Bailey)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51YRdNI4psL._SL400_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/161620642X?tag=achronicvoice-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1) #### The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating *By: Elisabeth Tova Bailey* A mysterious disease took over Elisabeth's life, after a trip to Europe. Some speculation as to what she might be suffering from are tick-borne encephalitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, or dysautonomia. In any case, she became bedridden, and this story is about her slow life with a pet snail for a companion. It is an autobiography, scientific observation, and meditative experience all in one. It reads like a novel, with much food for thought about life and chronic illness. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/161620642X?&linkCode=ll1&tag=achronicvoice-20&linkId=6f0c1d395b407c60cf328285046f0ec2&language=en%5FUS&ref%5F=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl) Read Related Posts: - [Hey You…It’s Me (M.E. Struggles & a Tribute to the Human Spirit)](https://achronicvoice.com/me-struggles/) - [Mainstream: Can You Talk to Us About ME? (There are Enough ‘Normal’ Health Tips to Go Around Already)](https://achronicvoice.com/mainstream-me-health-tips/) - [A Day in the Life of a “POTSie” (A What??)](https://achronicvoice.com/day-in-life-potsie/) - [Why I Moved from SiteGround to Cloudways (and Couldn’t be Happier). Plus Cute Puppy Pics & A New Pacing Strategy.](https://achronicvoice.com/moved-from-siteground-to-cloudways/) - [A Car Accident & A Song Gone Silent (How Life Lessons from Chronic Illness Tide Me Through)](https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-illness-life-lessons-accident-bird/) --- ### If You’re Feeling...Suspicious [![The Woman Who Fooled The World: Belle Gibson’s cancer con, and the darkness at the heart of the wellness industry (By: Beau Donelly & Nick Toscano)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51H8A4RIcEL._SL400_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1947534068?tag=achronicvoice-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1) #### The Woman Who Fooled The World *By: Beau Donelly & Nick Toscano* This is an exciting book that grips you right from the first page, about a woman called Belle Gibson. She faked brain cancer, and raked up quite the following on Instagram with suggestions for alternative, ‘natural’ treatments. She built the popular app, “Whole Pantry”, which Apple endorsed. Penguin even published a book she wrote. Many cancer patients took her advice to heart to their detriment. This is a great read about modern society's infatuation with the billion dollar wellness industry, and its dark side. The pace is fast and before you know it, you're reading the last page! [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1947534068?&linkCode=ll1&tag=achronicvoice-20&linkId=a1f2679da80a3b48990f5489a1ea6f5d&language=en%5FUS&ref%5F=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl) --- ### If You’re Feeling...Scientific [![The Clever Gut Diet: How to Revolutionize Your Body from the Inside Out](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SMOrsMpUL._SL400_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1501172743?tag=achronicvoice-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1) #### The Clever Guts Diet *By: Dr Michael Mosley* This is a bestseller by the popular TV personality, [Dr. Michael Mosley](https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/food/5257764/michael-mosley-trust-me-im-a-doctor-blood-sugar-diet/). I wanted to learn more about gut health, having understood that it affects every aspect of our health and body. There’s even evidence that [mental health begins within our guts](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection). I don’t quite enjoy reading books that are too technical, so this was perfect. Dr. Mosley manages to explain scientific concepts in a way that the average person can grasp with ease. He has also written a few other popular books, such as the [5:2 fast diet](https://www.amazon.com/dp/150110201X?&linkCode=ll1&tag=achronicvoice-20&linkId=ca7895377abe7bbf5bef183760f03c73&language=en%5FUS&ref%5F=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl). [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1501172743?&linkCode=ll1&tag=achronicvoice-20&linkId=65c2170f941ed2d7a75a1c6ee3a6cf30&language=en%5FUS&ref%5F=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl) Read Related Posts: - [The Causes & Dangers of Malabsorption & An Easy Way to Get Your Nutrients](https://achronicvoice.com/causes-dangers-malabsorption-get-nutrients/) - [Dysphagia & Swallowing Problems (and How Oral Vitamin Sprays Can be of Help to You)](https://achronicvoice.com/dysphagia-oral-vitamin-sprays/) - [Vitamin D & Vitamin K2: How They Boost Each Other in the Body](https://achronicvoice.com/vitamin-d-vitamin-k2/) - [Oral Spray Vitamins: A Quick & Easy Way to Get Your Nutrients with Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/oral-spray-vitamins/) - [Learn More About the Super Rare Disease — Esophageal Diverticulum](https://achronicvoice.com/rare-disease-esophageal-diverticulum/) --- ### If You’re Feeling...Wise [![The Pain Companion: Everyday Wisdom for Living With and Moving Beyond Chronic Pain (By: Sarah Anne Shockley)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41AupBHTDcL._SL400_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1608685705?tag=achronicvoice-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1) #### The Pain Companion *By: Sarah Anne Shockley* I loved this book by Sarah, which looks at pain in a very different light. We often believe that we're failures, unless we fight against pain and defeat it. Yet in this book she talks about ways to live with it, respect it, and even partner up with it for the good of your long-term wellbeing. I used some of the methods in this book while in pain, and I must say that it did help to calm me down. There are useful exercises and reflections you can try out, such as ‘writing a complaint letter to your pain’. While nobody wants to suffer no matter the amount of insight it brings, we might as well learn from these experiences that we don't have a choice but to endure. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1608685705?&linkCode=ll1&tag=achronicvoice-20&linkId=d6ead19f9ededaca3bf3fe4fe82a8beb&language=en%5FUS&ref%5F=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl) Read Related Posts: - [Life with Chronic Illness: Happiness & Pain Can Co-exist](https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-illness-happiness-and-pain/) - [How to Have a Healthy Relationship with Your Body (Even with Chronic Illness)](https://achronicvoice.com/healthy-relationship-with-body-chronic-illness/) - [Chronic Illness is Unpredictable, but You Don’t Always Have to Fear the Unknown](https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-illness-unpredictable-dont-fear-unknown/) - [Loss of Identity with Chronic Illness & The Plot Twist: Sharpened Self-Worth](https://achronicvoice.com/loss-of-identity-chronic-illness/) - [Why Self-Acceptance is Important When You Have a Chronic Illness](https://achronicvoice.com/self-acceptance-chronic-illness/) --- ### If You’re Feeling...Young [![Carve the Mark (Carve the Mark, 1) (By: Veronica Roth)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51m39QbAqkL._SL400_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062348647?tag=achronicvoice-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1) #### Carve the Mark *By: Veronica Roth* Whilst I admit that I didn’t finish this book, I wanted to put it here as an option for a young adult fantasy fiction. This genre sure distracts the mind, doesn’t it? The main character is someone who lives in constant pain, and is able to unleash this as a torture weapon, too. The thing I didn’t like about this book was how much she was able to accomplish despite being in immense, excruciating pain. If you’ve ever lived with such pain, you’d know that it’d be impossible, no matter how tough or determined you are. Oh, and she falls in love with the enemy’s son. What a surprise, right? ;) But anyway, it really isn’t too bad if you’re looking for a light, trashy read, ala chick flick style. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062348647?&linkCode=ll1&tag=achronicvoice-20&linkId=532d249483bc1ac031e31f103e746da1&language=en%5FUS&ref%5F=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl) --- ## More Books on My Wish List I thought I’d also share three books on my (neverending) wish list, just in case something catches your eye here as well! ### 1\. The Little Book of Life Hacks: How to Make Your Life Happier, Healthier, and More Beautiful *By: Yumi Sakugawa* [![The Little Book of Life Hacks: How to Make Your Life Happier, Healthier, and More Beautiful (By: Yumi Sakugawa)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41pyF89qcMS._SL400_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250092256?tag=achronicvoice-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1) Don't the illustrations in here look gorgeous? It'd probably make a great coffee table book, or a soothing bedtime browse! [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250092256?&linkCode=ll1&tag=achronicvoice-20&linkId=816188913622220efaa7230e67177468&language=en%5FUS&ref%5F=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl) --- ### 2\. Backbone: Living with Chronic Pain without Turning into One *By: Karen Duffy* [![Backbone: An Inspirational Manual for Coping with Chronic Pain (By: Karen Duffy)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51q1suapJDL._SL400_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948924579?tag=achronicvoice-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1) I read an excerpt on Lenny Letter from this book and loved it. I find the sarcasm inspirational and it’s my kind of humour! I’ve ordered it and am just waiting for it to land on my doorstep :) [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948924579?&linkCode=ll1&tag=achronicvoice-20&linkId=6555660d105205ea8a51c71d8a413b00&language=en%5FUS&ref%5F=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl) --- ### 3\. Sleep Affirmations: 200 Phrases for a Deep and Peaceful Sleep *By: Jennifer Williamson* [![Sleep Affirmations: 200 Phrases for a Deep and Peaceful Sleep (By: Jennifer Williamson)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CBTPADkmL._SL400_.jpg)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1507207603?tag=achronicvoice-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1) I follow [Jennifer’s blog, “Healing Brave”](https://healingbrave.com/), and enjoy reading her posts. They really do stand out from the sea of repetitive self-help articles out there (and we know how they churn!). I’ve always had [**issues with quality sleep**](https://achronicvoice.com/wasting-time-sleep/), and many people with chronic illness suffer from [painsomnia](https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/painsomnia). These affirmations read like a charm, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it. This is her first book written, so do show some support! [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1507207603?&linkCode=ll1&tag=achronicvoice-20&linkId=88ea93c80f52554da3981df7290aea44&language=en%5FUS&ref%5F=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl) --- ## What’s Next for Book Recommendations for Spoonies? I shall leave you with these book recommendations for now. Let me know what you’re in the mood for, and I’ll see what to add to the next list. In the meantime, don't forget to check out the [**other book recommendations for spoonies**](#book-series) at the beginning of this post! ## Sign Up for My Free Newsletter Be the first to get the latest post updates in your inbox, and unlock the comments section. You will also receive an e-book full of uplifting messages, quotes and illustrations as a token of appreciation! [Browse more membership plans here](#/portal/), or [make a one-off donation](https://ghost.achronicvoice.com/#/portal/support) instead. Sign Up Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Read Related Posts: - [Magazine Review: Lucky Peach’s Last Issue, Ever](https://achronicvoice.com/magazine-review-lucky-peach/) - [Useful Things to Do While on Bed Rest After Surgery: Education, Advocacy & Volunteering](https://achronicvoice.com/useful-things-to-do-while-on-bed-rest/) - [Uplifting Activities to Do While Recovering in Bed](https://achronicvoice.com/uplifting-activities-to-do-while-recovering-in-bed/) - [Chronic Illness Quotes to Inspire, Motivate, Grieve, Hope & Laugh About](https://achronicvoice.com/chronic-illness-quotes/) - [365 Mindfulness Journaling Prompts for Self-Improvement](https://achronicvoice.com/365-mindfulness-journaling-prompts-for-self-improvement/) ### Comments Archives: Comments imported from previous WordPress site. - Terri Apr 15, 2018 Sheryl, thanks so much for some great recommendations! I’m adding these to my reading list! Pinning and sharing on my FB page also so others can read them too. Hugs! - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Apr 15, 2018 You’re welcome Terri, I’m happy you found some titles you might be interested in! x - Nicole Apr 12, 2018 My suggestion would be The Shack by WM Paul Young. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I find it reassuring and affirmative. Re-reading regularly… - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Apr 12, 2018 Thanks for the suggestion, will check it out! 🙂 - Kirsten (Graphic Organic) Apr 9, 2018 Thank you for the recommendations. I was just looking for a new book to read 🙂 xx - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Apr 9, 2018 Am glad the list is useful! 🙂 I’ll try to get roundup 2 up sometime soon 😉 x - [ Sue Jackson ](https://livewithcfs.blogspot.com/) Apr 3, 2018 Great list! Glad you included Wild Snail Eating – such a wonderful little book and so beautifully written. I would also ad the 3 books written by Toni Bernhard, a good friend of mine who also has ME/CFS. She has written 3 books about applying Buddhist principles to a life with chronic illness, and they are all just wonderful – inspirational and practical. Here’s a review of her latest – How to Live Well with Chronic Pain & Illness – plus links to the first two: [http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2016/04/nonfiction-how-to-live-well-with.html ](https://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2016/04/nonfiction-how-to-live-well-with.html) Thanks for the inspiring list! Sue - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Apr 3, 2018 Thanks for the additional recommendations Sue, will have to check them out! I read Toni’s column on Psychology Today – always a good read, and I’m sure her books would be thought-provoking, too! Yes, The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating was a lovely, relaxing read! xx - [ Jen Williamson ](https://healingbrave.com/) Mar 29, 2018 Sheryl, thank you SO much for the mention! It truly means the world to me and I’m smiling ear to ear right now. I am thrilled about this book and almost can’t wait for it to be here. Your light is contagious. xo - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Mar 29, 2018 Hi Jen, Totally my pleasure. I really enjoy your thoughts and writing, and will get the book as well 🙂 All the best! - chelsea w Mar 29, 2018 Ooh I read the book Backbone and thought it very humorous. The author is quite the character! Thanks for all these suggestions. I’ll be adding even more books to my TBR pile! - [ Sheryl Chan ](https://achronicvoice.com/) Mar 29, 2018 Hi Chelsea, thanks, good to know it’ll be a good read! 😉 Definitely, I’m already thinking about #2 in this series 😀 Do share if you have any great reads too, thank you! **Start a new conversation in the Member Comments below!**