Books are a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about domestic abuse, how to find support if you are in an abusive relationship, or be supportive of someone you know who is in an abusive relationship. Here are 10 books to start that education.
The House on Sunset by Sarafina Bianco
Sarafina was a high school English teacher who had just purchased a new home. When her boyfriend of a year and a half cheated on her, she sought out new prospects for love online. That’s when she met Mike, who she thought was perfect for her, but soon turned into her worst nightmare. This memoir is not an easy read – it’s well-written but the subject matter is gut-wrenching. The author wants to offer hope to those living in hell, bravely proving that ignorance is not an option.
Escape Points by Michele Weldon
Untethered from a seemingly idyllic life with a handsome but abusive attorney husband, Weldon relates the challenges and triumphs of the years that followed her divorce as she maneuvers through a complicated life of long daily commutes, radiation treatments, supporting the boys’ all-consuming high school wrestling careers, and trying to mitigate their hurt and resentment at an absent father.By turns humorous and heartbreaking, Weldon describes facing her fears and failures honestly, guided by a belief in the power of staying calm, doing one’s best, and asking for help.
Crazy Love by Leslie Morgan Steiner
At 22, Leslie Morgan Steiner seemed to have it all: good looks, a Harvard diploma, a glamorous job in New York City. Plus a handsome, funny boyfriend who adored her. At first, Leslie and Conor seemed perfect together. Then came the fights she tried to ignore: he pushed her down the stairs, choked her during an argument, and threatened her with a gun. Gripping and utterly compelling, Crazy Love takes you inside the violent, devastating world of abusive love and makes you feel the power and powerlessness of abuse that can take place anywhere and to anyone.
The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner
“Anger is a signal and one worth listening to,” writes Dr. Harriet Lerner in her renowned classic that has transformed the lives of millions of readers. While anger deserves our attention and respect, women still learn to silence our anger, to deny it entirely, or to vent it in a way that leaves us feeling helpless and powerless. In this engaging and eminently wise book, Dr. Lerner teaches both women and men to identify the true sources of anger and to use it as a powerful vehicle for creating lasting change.
How to Be Nice To Yourself by Laura Silberstein Tirch
Filled with easy-to-use advice drawn from a variety of sources—including meditation, mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy—this book will help you find the right way to start feeling good about yourself. Through proven strategies, practical advice, and personalized approaches, this book will guide you towards a better self. Start loving yourself with the techniques that work best for you.
No Visible Bruises by Rachel Louise Snyder
Through the stories of victims, perpetrators, law enforcement, and reform movements from across the country, Snyder explores the real roots of private violence, its far-reaching consequences for society, and what it will take to truly address it. She frames this urgent and immersive account of the scale of domestic violence in our country around key stories that explode the common myths―that if things were bad enough, victims would just leave; that a violent person cannot become nonviolent; that shelter is an adequate response; and most insidiously that violence inside the home is a private matter, sealed from the public sphere and disconnected from other forms of violence.
Why does he do that? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men by Lundy Bancroft
In this groundbreaking bestseller, Lundy Bancroft—a counselor who specializes in working with abusive men—uses his knowledge of how abusers think to help women recognize when they are being controlled or devalued, and to find ways to get free of an abusive relationship.
Codependent No More by Melody Beattie
In a crisis, it’s easy to revert to old patterns. Caring for your well-being during the coronavirus pandemic includes maintaining healthy boundaries and saying no to unhealthy relationships. With instructive life stories, personal reflections, exercises, and self-tests, Codependent No More is a simple, straightforward, readable map of the perplexing world of codependency–charting the path to freedom and a lifetime of healing, hope, and happiness.
License to Rape: Sexual Abuse of Wives by By David Finkelhor and Kersti Yllo
He wanted to, she didn’t, is a scenario which may best epitomize the assumption of most of us concerning the underlying dynamics of rape in marriage. The authors provide evidence throughout the book to debunk these assumptions, arguing instead that rape in marriage is generally an act of brutality and humiliation, equal in its impact on the victim to other forms of rape outside of marriage.
A Terrible Thing That Happened by Margaret Holmes
This is a book that aims to help younger children process and reconcile traumatic events that they may have witnessed. It extends beyond the context of family violence, touching on subjects such as suicide, natural disasters, and accidents.
Retail Bookstores and Online Sellers
Book Hampton, East Hampton
Southampton Books and Sag Harbor Books
Amazon (Please use Amazon Smile and choose Retreat Inc, tax id 11-2862256 as your charity of choice.)
