Book Suggestions > Likes and Comments

We know you are all avid readers -- and we'd love to hear your suggestions for Group book picks!

Please comment with the title & author of your book suggestion and give a short 1 or 2 sentence reason for suggesting the book.

I'm a 15 year survivor of domestic violence and author of "How Far Will You Go for the Ring?" by Roxie H. I'm suggesting this book because it is my story of my journey through abuse from brokenness to boldness. I put readers in the present mind of a woman being abused. Perfect book for group discussions.

A Feeling for which to Forever Reach

Where the mind bears the realization of the effect of its own selfish desires, a light within the intension to cause only good, begins to manifest. Physically it is felt running through the body, arching at toes and finger tips, fluxing over the curvature of the eye, jumping upon the surface of the skin. As the feeling of that desire to show love and no more, wells up from within. A calm coherence of gentle emotion pours over the mind, entering a place inside that believes in no end. This knowing of awareness, which only faith in love and truth can cause to arise, is the only true worth in the existence that is or will ever be. Once in it, I am sorry for every selfish thought, that I was too weak to keep enclosed. From which actions, not forged in the emotion of this light, have furthered the darkness through which each of us suffers. As only when interacting from within the purity of love, does the world truly know life.

By David Domon
I need book reviews, preferably before the violence over the issues that plague our world begins. Contact me and I will email you it for free. Though know that it is not for the light of heart.

I've also stared a new group by the name of The Radically Rebellious of a Rambunctious Nature join for the fun and stay for the freedom.

A colleague recommended Field Notes on the Compassionate Life: A Search for the Soul of Kindness today. Interesting-looking read!

This is a book that I just discovered and how it is blowing me away. It is a cant-put-it-down book, but you will need to put it down - as I have. It talks about the realities of personal, domestic and societal violence but within a very reflective context. The author's voice is so soft & gentle yet loud &deliberate at times.
The Sabi by Diane Brown from South Africa - is very different to the current books handling these themes

Thanks, Zoli! This sounds like an interesting book!

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes is a fantastic book and very relevant for this group. It is a fictional book but feels like it is the perspective of a domestic violence survivor. Profoundly affected me.

Amazon has The Outlander by Gil Anderson available on Kindle for $1.99 today as part of their daily deal. It looks like it could be an interesting read for this group.

The Dark Horse Speaks

The Dark Horse Speaks by Little White Bird (hello! :) is a contemporary look at domestic violence on the Native American Indian reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. While a memoir, the book is an easy, conversational read. Domestic violence acts themselves are not the dominating storyline, however the threat of it is an underlying tone that haunts the pages.

Plus, I'd like to understand more why I did what I did and why I went back so many times. So, I would be very interested in having a group read my true story, a group that has insight into this type of thing, as this was my first experience.The Dark Horse Speaks

Thank you!

Can I recommend my book? It's about child abuse and the recovery. I think we all experience very similar emotional pain, even if the circumstances bringing it is different. I wanted to write in a way that relates, and encourages, and validates what people are going through. Thank you for the opportunity :)

^ I also recommend CeeCee's choice!

This is my first post in a forum so hopefully all goes well, Hi everyone & thanks for having me :) I'd like to recommend Spilled Milk: Based On A True Story.

I am the author, and I penned it because not many child abuse stories walk a child through 1)what happens inside the courtroom AFTER you tell and 2)what happens AFTER a child tells; the family dynamics, relationships and dealing with survivor triggers, victims advocates and even dealing with high school & grown up relationships after the fact. I also wanted to have a resource where the sexual and physical abuse is not described in extreme graphic or raw content; so as to not re-victimize anyone reading it

Spilled Milk is packed with intense dialogue in the courtroom scenes between the victim and her father and it follows a family's dysfunction after sexual abuse is uncovered. It answers the question: "I told, so now what?" Spilled Milk: Based on a true story

Please consider adding Lost No More to your reading list. It's about a boy growing up with a father who is the town drunk. Everyone tells him he is just like his dad. It's a coming of age storyLost No MoreLost No More is Book 2 in the Ghost No More series, but can be read in any order.

Thank you to all with my love & gratitude for making "You Are Not Alone - How To Rise Above Life's Challenges With Grace, Gratitude, LOVE & Joy"

#1 Best-Seller on its debut day on Amazon.

All it takes is one ripple to make an effect and YOU did it...keep it going.
Other women are still SUFFERING IN SILENCE!
Your Author April J. Ford--

You Are Not Alone: How To Rise Above Life's Challenges With Grace, Gratitude, Love & Joy

Hi everyone,

I’ve read and recommend the intense, Pro-Life, Pro-Woman thriller, Her Choice.

Her Choice, takes one on a compelling journey into desperation, as it brings its powerful message of courage to the closely interwoven lives of rape and abortion survivor, Maria Vargas, the unexpectedly pregnant, Kat Reed ... and the malevolent, Tio Sanchez.

I would like to recommend Dark Confessions of an Extraordinary, Ordinary Woman. It is a very powerful story of survival. Read the reviews. There is a reason this is so highly rated. - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-...

I agree with Liz! Dark Confessions of an Extraordinary, Ordinary Woman is a powerful story of turning your life around after hitting rock bottom.

Hi - Just to let you know that the books 'Corpalism' and 'Daydream Believers' will be FREE from Amazon for Kindle/PC download from Tuesday 9th June to Saturday 13th June 2015, all I ask is that you kindly leave a review.

Click this link for Corpalism and Daydream Believers on Amazon.Co.Uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_n...

Click this link for Corpalism and Daydream Believers on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

To help you decide if these are your kind of books I've attached a brief description of each

Corpalism -
The first part is based in an economically dystopian future, a fast-paced thriller that moves in a believable way between fact and fiction, the second part plunges the unsuspecting reader into the distressed mind of Stephanie White a political activist from the new Independent party and victim of the latest terror atrocity locked in a coma fighting a trivial persona her mother has imposed upon her through years of brainwashing, whilst the third has several characters, including Stephanie and Donald from the previous volumes, in a pub arguing various topics from various points of view; the reader being left to decide which is valid. Part four brings all the threads together and the final part is set 20 years in the past.

Daydream Believers-
Revolutionary pensioners who are fed up with unchecked immigration and hell bent on removing corrupt politicians, sexually predatory murderous fat ladies, Machiavellian political intriguers, a mad-eyed Preacher trying to reach the souls of a disinterested public, a chivalric knight, men at work, an avenging 'hand of god', a celebrity 'golden' couple sleeping with everyone but their partner, jackpot winners and a homicidal diarist all combine to create an entertaining story of modern-day Britain.

If you know anyone else who might be interested please feel free to let them know.

Cheers

Arun

The Masquerade Is Over: A Victorious Journey from a Silent War I'm the author of this book and its about my victorious journey from the silent war of domestic abuse. I not only share my experience but also how I reinvented myself, a comeback from "near death to success."

I'd like to suggest Ann Jones Next Time She'll be Dead. While it was published over 20 years ago the book is a significant contribution to the discussion of domestic violence, and all her points are still relevant. I think it would be great for discussing how far we've come and the work that still needs to be done.

http://www.amazon.com/Next-Time-Shell...

My name is Susanna Hope. I am the co-author of a recently published book: POLICE WIFE: The Secret Epidemic of Police Domestic Violence. Police Wife is a book written for and about domestic violence victims who so far, have not had a voice. The book is the culmination of years of work by my co-author, Alex Roslin, investigative journalist and myself. Together we have formatted a book that is ground breaking on the topic of police domestic violence. You can find this book on Amazon.ca
http://www.amazon.ca/Police-Wife-Epid...

Thank you. Susanna Hope

I am a survivor of domestic abuse. A Search for Purple Cows: A True Story of Hope is my journey breaking free from abuse and finding hope. A Search for Purple Cows: A True Story of Hope

http://www.amazon.com/Search-Purple-C...

My name is Kathy Pooler. I am the author of a memoir, Ever Faithful to His Lead: My Journey Away From Emotional Abuse where I share the lessons learned from getting into and out of two emotionally-abusive marriages. Emotional abuse can be as devastating as physical abuse and far more subtle. Awareness is the first step in prevention but action is necessary to stop it and find freedom.
http://www.amazon.com/Kathleen-Pooler...

I am so excited to find this group! I can't wait to look through all the suggestions and start reading.

Lillah Lawson is my pseudonym - I have actually recently published a novel that deals with domestic violence, inspired by some of my experiences. If I may, I'd love to let you all know that for the month of October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month) a large percentage of proceeds of my novel will go to a local domestic violence charity. You can find out more on my author page, if anyone is interested:

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...

Thanks for welcoming me to the group, all. I'm glad to be here.

I have two self-help memoirs that I'm interested in honest reviews in exchange for a free copy. My first book, Dark Confessions of an Extraordinary, Ordinary Woman, is a raw and emotional look at domestic violence, drug issue and depression. My second book, Dirty Secrets of the World's Worst Employee, delves into my professional journey and discusses critical topics such as workplace bullying and sexual harassment. I used to feel hopeless and unlovable, but was able to turn my life around by the grace of God. I wrote these books to give hope to others who feel stuck in similar situations.

Please email me at jennsadai19@gmail.com if you are interested in either story. Thank you sincerely, Jenn Sadai

FREE download: Pro-life, Pro-woman thriller, Her Choice

Your FREE non-commercial download of HER CHOICE, the compelling, Pro-Life, Pro-Woman thriller is available at: www.deanmagdalthompson.com/

Please share and PASS THE WORD!

Hi! How are all our beautiful readers, survivors, and champions and advocates! I come from a South Asian background, although I grew up in Canada and live in NY now. But my heart breaks when it comes to domestic violence and human trafficking. This is one reason I write Social Justice-driven Young Adult Fiction. Through stories, I want to offer hope and shed light on the power of kindness. Feel free to message me if you want to read my books. Happy to be a part of the discussion. Best, Raj

Nightmares in the Saudi Arabian Desert: Autobiography

Please take a look at my book. I believe many in the group will find it helpful.

Regards.

Alexandra

My name is Lisa Orban, I am a memoir writer, and I would like to add my book I'll Feel Better when it Quits Hurting to your discussion. As part of my story, I talk about my abusive relationship, how it began, how it escalated, and how abuse can entrap and ensnare someone. To quote a reviewer, "Her story is fun enough to keep you reading, while sucker-punching you with her strength and resolve at the end. Excellent book to give to a friend you may be concerned about abuse but too afraid to bring up the subject."

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I will be donating half of all my book sales from Amazon in October to NCADV to help them continue to raise awareness about this issue that affects us all.

My name is Cecilia Thomas, I am the author of "While Waiting For Change". This is my story of various types of abuse while waiting for things to change. Unfortunately I found out the hard way that trying to change someone into what I hoped he would be was to no avail but only caused a dysfunctional relationship and family. Included in the book are over 20 inspiring poems that connect with my story and other insightful comments and information. I have attended several Domestic Violence Task Force meetings, held by the YWCA in my community and have done a few workshops with the women in the YWCA. I have also been interviewed by several public television stations in my area and on WNYT (NBC) news channel 13. My goal is to bring more awareness to the need to help the abuser and set laws that will require a commitment/compliance to counseling and other behavioral groups. The book is available on amazon.com in paperback and ebook download...Look inside when you click on the ebook selection. Maybe start a discussion.

Soft Underbelly is a deeply disturbing story and sadly its portrayal of domestic violence is not an uncommon story. While the events in Soft Underbelly happened to me 25 years ago, there are thousands of Australian women who suffer domestic violence everyday. It is appalling that domestic violence in Australian society is currently so prolific to have been labelled an epidemic.

Despite being the leading cause of death and preventable injury in women under 45, domestic violence is still discussed in hushed tones and considered a taboo subject. It is my hope that Soft Underbelly will shine a light on what it is like to live with domestic violence. I want people to understand that there is no ‘typical’ domestic violence victim. Soft Underbelly is my story but this could easily have been your sister, your mother or your friend.
Soft Underbelly is not a simplified media account; it has not been sensationalised or sanitised. This is simply a raw and honest look behind the curtain of an abusive relationship.

More than anything, I wrote Soft Underbelly for the thousands of women currently living in abusive relationships, feeling powerless, terrified and helpless. I wanted to empower these women. I wanted Soft Underbelly to provide hope to the thousands of women feeling hopeless and alone. This experience helped shape me, but it does not define me and I want other domestic violence victims to know that they too can survive and even thrive after domestic violence.

I am so thrilled to find this group! I am a survivor of domestic abuse. I wrote Without a Voice to help churches, social groups, and book clubs continue the conversations about domestic abuse. In my area, there's still too much silence about the topic. I created a page on my website called Make the Change to help jump start the conversations. (www.chrispepple.com). I am going to review some of the other books listed here and see if I can make a reading list for my web page. Readers need so many options! Thank you for all of the books you have listed here. Looks like you have made some wonderful suggestions to get me started!

Hello, I am a survivor and an author. I wrote my book Peace at a Price: A Survivor Creates and Protects her New Identity shortly after I left. It chronicles the years of abuse, leaving, creating the new identity and discovering how priceless peace is. It has been important to me to join the board of the local domestic violence program wherever I move and I think I've helped. My other friends laugh at me when I talk about my domestic violence parties (otherwise known as board/staff get togethers).

Wow- a group after my own heart!
After living through the worst kinds of domestic abuse when my husband returned from active duty in Vietnam, I finally got away and have spent the last 30+ years as a journalist in Tampa Bay, Florida. I have always concentrated my writing on causes and community help. In my free time (LOL like there's FREE time raising three kids & then later raising a grandbaby while working full-time) I volunteered as a peer counselor and board member at the Mary Martha House shelter in Ruskin, Florida. This was while I was working for Sunbelt Newspapers and The Tampa Tribune and editing books on the side. Several of my books have had plotlines around escape from abuse, including the one I have been working on since 2009 -THOSE THAT DID NOT DIE. I just self-published this in December 2024. It contains pieces from my story, mixed with stories of others, including many of the homeless people I wrote about over the years. After several small publishers went out of business, leaving my early books in limbo, I decided self-publishing would be the better choice. I am anxious to participate in discussion here as soon and will use the the widget as soon as I figure out how. Not tech savvy, when I started in the newsroom we had a typewriter and went up through all the early kinds to what is in use today. Whew. Yeah, I'm old.

My name is Dean Thompson,
I wanted to let you all know that I have just completed Revised Editions of my intense pro-life, pro-woman thriller, Her Choice, and the unconventional pro-life, coming-of-age fantasy, Elflink.
I hope you get a chance to check them out.
Thanks, Dean

Hi everyone! I'm Anna Kahill, victim of sexualized violence and author of Not the Perfect Victim: A Memoir. I'm a neurodivergent survivor and I wrote this book not just to tell my story, but to speak into the silence that surrounds so many others.

There's limited time left to receive a free electronic ARC copy of my upcoming book Not the Perfect Victim (release date: 9 Sept 2025). If you’d like to read it early, I’d love to hear your feedback — and if it resonates, an honest review on Goodreads or Amazon would be much appreciated.

Just email me if you are interested.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...


Thanks for letting me join the discussion!

Hi everyone,

I really like the idea of “reading with a cause”, so I wanted to share the heart behind my books and why I wrote them.

My name is Micke Petersson, and my “cause” is simple:
to give survivors of covert narcissistic abuse a voice, language, and tools.

For years, I stayed in a relationship with a partner who was charming and caring in public, but controlling, critical and emotionally cruel in private. I had no words for it. I just thought I was failing as a man and a partner. And I´ve lost everything around me.

Out of that experience, when I was processing what I´ve actually gone through, came two books that belong together:
1. Behind The Mask : Surviving A Covert Female Narcissist - Break Free, Heal And Reclaim Your Life!
- my personal story of gaslighting, emotional manipulation, and slowly losing myself
- how shame and stigma kept me silent as a male victim
- the long, messy path of leaving and rebuilding an identity after abuse

2.Surviving Covert Narcissism Workbook: The Complete Guide and Workbook for Survivors“ (practical tools)
- simple explanations of common abuse tactics
- reflection questions and checklists to recognise patterns
- exercises on boundaries, No Contact, Grey Rock and emotional healing

I hope that these books:
- help survivors feel less alone and less “broken”
- encourage conversations about male victims of emotional abuse
- give readers concrete steps to move from survival towards healing
You absolutely don’t have to buy anything to talk to me.
I’m happy to answer questions about narcissistic abuse, being a male survivor, or using books as part of the healing process.

If you’re willing to share, I’d love to know:
- Do you think male victims of psychological abuse are still overlooked in our conversations?
- What kind of stories or resources do you feel are missing in this area?

Thank you for all you do in this group.

Warmly,


Micke Petersson
(From there you can find both the memoir and the workbook.)