10 Books I Recommend for the Dark Night of the Soul (and Life’s Hardest Moments)

I'm a psychologist who has curated this list of books to help you heal, reflect, and grow during life’s toughest times. The phrase “dark night of the soul” comes from spiritual tradition and describes those seasons when life feels unbearably heavy- when meaning, joy, and clarity seem out of reach. Put simply, it’s a kind of existential crisis: moments when grief, uncertainty, or major life transitions leave us questioning who we are and what comes next. I often recommend books to clients navigating these dark seasons- books that offer insight, reflection, and practical tools to help process emotions, explore your inner world, and find moments of perspective and peace of mind along the way.

Reading doesn’t replace therapy or professional support, but the right book can feel like a trusted companion. Here are my top 10 recommendations:

10 Books I Recommend

1. Self-Compassion – Kristin Neff

Takeaway: Practical exercises and research-based insights to cultivate kindness toward yourself, especially during challenging times.

Kristin is a self-compassion pioneer; I’ve attended several of her trainings and can attest to her groundbreaking work in this field.

2. The Pivot Year – Brianna Wiest

Takeaway: Offers insights on personal transformation and embracing change during difficult seasons.

Brianna’s other books, like 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think and The Mountain Is You, are also excellent.

3. The Inward Trilogy – Yung Pueblo

Takeaway: Bite-sized poetry and reflections for self-awareness and inner peace.

Yung Pueblo (Diego Perez) shares ideas in short, digestible chunks. I’ve seen him live for a book signing and writing workshop. I highly recommend his longer-form book Lighter too.

4. How to Do the Work – Nicole LePera

Takeaway: Step-by-step guidance for self-healing, emotional awareness, and creating lasting personal change.

Nicole is an Instagram therapy influencer. This book made me feel seen, and her tools are practical, making you feel like you’re genuinely “doing the work.”

5. No Bad Parts – Richard Schwartz

Takeaway: Introduces Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy to understand and integrate all parts of yourself with compassion.

IFS has become increasingly popular in recent years; this book was written by the creator of the modality.

6. Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents – Lindsay C. Gibson

Takeaway: Gain an understanding of early family dynamics and heal from developmental attachment trauma.

Super readable, with tools to assess your parents- and yourself- through the lens of emotional maturity.

7. The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle

Takeaway: Encourages mindfulness, presence, and freedom from overthinking.

A classic spiritual “bible” that still feels fresh, though a slower read compared to the others.

8. When the Body Says No – Gabor Maté

Takeaway: Explores how stress and unresolved emotions affect your physical health.

If you’re going through an existential crisis, your body is likely responding with tension, pain, or illness. This book made me a full believer in the mind-body connection and how trauma manifests physically.

9. Tarot for Change – Jessica Dore

Takeaway: A reflective, actionable guide to using tarot as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth- written by a therapist. 

Even if tarot feels “woo-woo” to you, this book is novel, thought-provoking, and deeply insightful—you can read through the interpretations like a regular book.

10. Soul Therapy (journal)– Jacqueline Kademian

Takeaway: Process emotions, track growth, and explore your inner world.

I know this isn’t a traditional book, but I love using guided journals during life’s toughest times. This guided journal has 365 daily prompts. You can follow them in order or, as I do, flip through until a prompt speaks to you.

Final Thoughts

These books provide guidance, reflection, and encouragement as you explore your inner world and build resilience. Pick one up, take small steps, and allow yourself to explore, reflect, and heal at your own pace. Even in the darkest moments, there are ways to find wisdom, strength, and glimpses of light.