READING LIST

NON-FICTION

OUR FEATURED FAVORITE: JUST PUBLISHED!

Through the Valley of the Shadow of Cancer by Beverly Bradley. One of the mentors of Silver Lining Vegas compiles essays on a wide range of cancer topics. Learn how to advocate for yourself, how to be a caregiver and how to thrive, not simply survive. Beverly should know: She was diagnosed with stage 4, triple negative breast cancer and after completing treatments remains cancer-free for years. She has aptly subtitled her book, “A Roadmap to Hope.” We are certain it will help you navigate the unchartered territory after a cancer diagnosis!

Bald in the Land of Big Hair by Joni Rodgers (Joni was a married mom of two, former stage actor, and radio personality when she was diagnosed with lymphoma. Forced to endure the trials of chemotherapy, the resulting illness, and loss of hair, Joni went down the road of hardship and came back a new woman.) 

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande (Dr. Gawande is a surgeon writing on medicine and what matters in the end. This book was on the New York Times Bestseller List for over a year, changing the national conversation on aging.)

A Breast Cancer Alphabet by Madhulika Sikka (Beginning with “A is for Anxiety,” Sikka presents an A-Z guide. She was an executive producer for NPR’s Morning Edition when she learned she had breast cancer. Her tour through Cancerland is practical and personal.)

The Breast Cancer Book of Strength and Courage by Ernie Bodai, M.D. (Bodai teams up with freelance writer Panneton to offer uplifting tales of women who faced mastectomies, radiation and chemotherapy with courage, humor and grace. Personal essays and reminiscences run the gamut from funny to heart breaking.) 

Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul by Jack Canfield (An uplifting read about conquering.)

Co-Surviving Cancer: Caring for Caregivers by Katie Brown, OPN-CG (Often the caregiver is referred to as the “hidden patient” by physicians. They endure stress and fatigue as they care for a loved one. This book will be a helpful read for the family of a cancer patient!)

A Dietitian’s Cancer Story by Diane Dyer (A registered dietitian and three-time cancer survivor offers nutritional changes, menus, and shake recipes.)

The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee (This Pulitzer Prize winning book is now a documentary on PBS. It chronicles the history of cancer.)

Everyday Strength: A Cancer Patient’s Guide to Spiritual Survival by Randy Becton (As a cancer survivor, Randy Becton knows firsthand the onslaught this disease brings on the human spirit. In Everyday Strength he offers hope and comfort through poetic prayers, Scripture, brief reflections, and uplifting thoughts for each day.)

The First Cell—And the Human Costs of Pursuing Cancer to the Last by Azra Raza (Professor of Medicine and director of the MDS Center at Columbia University, Dr. Raza writes a heart-felt plea asking to change the way a cure for cancer is pursued and the way people experience dying. She writes in a lyrical style about a tough topic with compassion. This is an important book which, hopefully, will change the way a cure for cancer is sought.)

Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20’s and 30’s by Kairol Rosenthal (A cancer survivor chronicles the experiences of 25 different young people diagnosed with cancer. Gives advice on real-life issues.)

Forks Over Knives: Flavor!  By Darshana Thacker. (Delicious, Whole-Food, Plant-Based Recipes to Cook Every Day. new edition, October 30, 2018.)

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (A Carnegie Mellon professor, diagnosed with cancer, was asked to participate in a lecture series of what one would say as a “final talk.” His now-famous lecture inspired the book.)

Lighthearted Life: Simple Strategies to Live a Joy-Filled LIfe Even in the Stormiest Times by Dianne Callahan (A three-time cancer survivor shares strategies for finding joy.)

Not Just One in Eight by Barbara F. Stevens ("Breast cancer is not a one-person diagnosis," writes the author. "It is a family diagnosis.” Stevens, a breast cancer survivor whose mother also had breast cancer, interviewed 300 breast cancer survivors and their families to learn the personal truth about this disease.)

Ovarian Cancer Journeys by Ayala Miron (All of the research has reinforced that ovarian cancer is not a silent disease. The value of this collection of stories is that it helps raise awareness about symptoms and the importance of being treated by a gynecologic oncologist. Women of ages 17 to 78 join to tell their true stories.)

Portraits of Hope by Marcia Stevens Sherill (A book and journal set offering an inspirational collection of breast cancer survival tales from famous women, including Nancy Reagan, Julie Harris, and Betty Ford, all of whom fought and won their battles against breast cancer.)

The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis (A scholarly and theological analysis of how a “good” God could allow suffering.)

Radical Remission, Surviving Cancer Against All Odds by Kelly A. Turner, Ph.D. (Dr. Turner researched unexpected cases of remission. She presents nine common themes she believes may help some patients. Her themes include eliminating sugar and avoiding stress.)

Same Song, Second Verse by Betty Toben Warden ("I laughed, I cried, I couldn't put it down!" This book is an intimate account of the author's two bouts of breast cancer. Now, she shares that profound experience with humor and poignancy to help others face their own trials.  “A must read for doctors and patients alike!”--Catherine Reed-Beaudouin, M.D.)

A Spiritual Journey through Breast Cancer by Judy Asti (Breast cancer affects millions of women. Author Judy Asti has been there and survived with her faith not only intact, but stronger than ever. In her book, she shares her compelling story of how her crises of cancer led her into a relationship of total reliance upon Jesus Christ.) 

Superfood Smoothies by Julie Morris (This cookbook offers nutritional information and recipes for 100 easy smoothies made with fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds.)

Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors by Barbara Delinsky (The best-selling author and breast cancer survivor draws from the personal experiences of hundreds of fellow survivors to share helpful advice, information, and guidelines on everything from the best foods to eat on treatment days to what steps to take to fell more in control of one's life and body.)

What Cancer Cannot Do: Stories of Hope and Encouragement by Phyllis Ten Elshof (Very short book with uplifting quotes and verses; suitable as a gift.)

When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Rabbi Harold Kushner (A Rabbi’s exploration on the topic of suffering.)

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (The memoir of a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with lung cancer at 36-years old. He struggles with the question of what gives life meaning.)

When God and Cancer Meet: True Stories of Hope and Healing by Lynn Eib (18 stories about cancer patients and their families who have been touched by God―some in their bodies, others in their minds, all in their spirits. The author is also a cancer survivor.)

HUMOROUS BOOKS ABOUT CANCER (Yes, there really is such a category!)

Cancer Crackup: A book of Chemo-induced Wit and Whimsy by Alisa Grodsky (A comical collection of cartoons and humorous thoughts about a very serious disease.)

Cancer Is Funny: Keeping Faith in Stage-Serious Chemo by Jason Micheli (This is a funny, irreverent-yet-faithful take on a disease that touches every family.)

God said, Ha! by Julia Sweeney (Droll and touching. This is a memoir of one disastrous year in Julia's life.)

57 Good Things about Chemotherapy by Alec Kalla (This book is a gift to people affected by chemotherapy. It is funny and offers stress relief.)

I Want to Grow Hair, I want to Grow Up, I want to go to Boise by Emma Bombeck  (A book on how children fight and survive cancer, showing remarkable strength. Emma was inspired to write this book after visiting camps for children with cancer.)

I’d Rather Do Chemo Than Clean Our the Garage: Choosing Laughter Over Tears by Fran Di Giacomo (Provides therapeutic laughter for cancer patients and is a good read to give to their care-givers, family, and friends.)

Not Now…I’m having a No Hair Day by Christine Clifford  (This book paints a picture of what it was like for Christine to discover breast cancer, undergo surgery, and endure month of treatments. Her moments of fear, frustration, and joy are captured playfully.)

The Victoria’s Secret Catalog Never Stops Coming...and other lessons I learned from breast cancer by Jennie Nash. (Touching and courageous, this book blends the medical realities of breast cancer with the wise opinions of the author.)

Narrative Non-Fiction

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson (With his offbeat sensibility, his eye for the absurd, and his laugh-out-loud sense of humor, Bryson recounts his confrontations with nature at its most uncompromising.)

FICTION

Humorous Fiction

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman  ("A light hearted, deeply moving novel about a grumpy but loveable curmudgeon who finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door. This quirky debut is a thoughtful and charming exploration of the impact one life has on countless others—and an absolute delight." --CBS Local)

Bear Town by Fredrik Backman  (The bestselling author of A Man Called Ove returns with a dazzling, profound novel about a small town with a big dream—and the price required to make it come true.)

The After Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer (“A charming tale of a grieving widow—and the wacky friends who love her.”—Los Angeles Times)

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris (New York Times Bestseller, based on the powerful true story of fierce love and survival enduring the unimaginable.)

Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Book Store by Robin Sloan (A Winner of the Alex Award. “Part love letter to books, part technological meditation, part thrilling adventure… Eminently enjoyable, full of warmth and intelligence.” ―The New York Times Book Review)

Memoir

The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls (For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation.) 

Uplifting Fiction

The Five People You meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom (One by one, Eddie's five people revisit their connections to him on earth, illuminating the mysteries of his "meaningless" life, and revealing the haunting secret behind the eternal question: "Why was I here?")

The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom (“An enchanting Sequel.”)

Journey of Souls: Case Studies of Life Between Lives by Michael Newton, PhD. (Dr. Newton claims to present proof that our consciousness survives by using hypnosis to reach the hidden memories of 29 subjects who recalled their experiences between physical deaths.)

Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers (The first book in a trilogy, it brings readers back to the first century and introduces them to Hadassah. Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, this young slave girl clings to her faith in God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.)

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (A tale set against the backdrop of the California Gold Rush. The heroine is a young woman who was sold into prostitution as a child. Michael Hosea is a godly man sent into Angel's life to draw her into the Savior's redeeming love.)