Book 1: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
The Body Keeps the Score was a more challenging read than I expected.
There’s no denying the depth of research that went into this book, particularly its examination of PTSD among war veterans and the systemic failures that often leave trauma survivors without adequate support. Those sections were informative, even if they sometimes left me feeling frustrated by the realities being described.
At the same time, the book’s textbook-like style and the weight of the subject matter made it a dense read. Many of the case studies felt longer than necessary, and I found myself thinking that a significant portion could have been condensed without losing the core message.
I also struggled with some of the framing around certain patient stories, particularly where responses to trauma seemed to be presented in ways that I wasn’t entirely comfortable with.
What kept me reading was the discussion of trauma treatment and recovery. The sections on EMDR were especially intriguing, though I wished the book had explored the therapy in greater depth given how promising it appeared.
An important and influential book with valuable insights, but one that didn’t completely work for me as a reading experience.
Book 2: The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
The Mountain Is You was a mixed reading experience for me.
The central idea of transforming self-sabotage into self-mastery is an interesting one, and there were a few practical tools and reflective exercises that I found genuinely useful.
That said, much of the book felt repetitive, with many points echoing the kind of advice you might hear in self-improvement podcasts. I also found myself wishing for more research-backed discussion and clearer references to the psychological concepts being explored.
It’s not a bad book, but I wouldn’t recommend it as the only book someone reads on the topic. As part of a broader reading list on habits, mindset, and personal growth, it has value. On its own, it didn’t quite deliver the depth I was hoping for.
Book 3: What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo
What My Bones Know is one of those memoirs that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.
Stephanie Foo writes with remarkable honesty about trauma, healing, identity, and the lifelong work of understanding yourself. What makes this book so powerful is its balance between vulnerability and curiosity. It doesn’t offer easy answers or neat conclusions, but instead explores what recovery can look like when the path forward is complicated and deeply personal.
Heartbreaking, insightful, and ultimately hopeful, this is a memoir that invites both empathy and reflection.
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