Books
by therapist Martha Jackson Oppeneer, D.Min., LMFT.
In this section of our website, Martha selects insightful books covering important topics such as parenting, relationships, health, and well-being.
We are excited to introduce the latest selection below.
“The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World,”
by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu
I featured this book a few years ago, but it is such a challenging and important topic that I am bringing it around again….
A frequent topic in my therapy sessions is forgiveness: Should we forgive another? How do we do that in a meaningful way? What happens if we don’t/can’t/aren’t ready? The late Archbishop Tutu and his daughter, Rev. Mpho Tutu offer one of the most insightful books I’ve read on this topic. Their wisdom is well-earned, having been an instrumental part of the path toward reconciliation and forgiveness in South Africa. This book outlines four steps we can all take as we struggle to heal ourselves and repair relationships in our own lives.

Previous Book Reviews
Children's Books
“The Smart Cookie,” by Jory John and Pete Oswald
“I AM PEACE: A Book of Mindfulness,” by Susan Verde, with artwork by Peter H. Reynolds
“A Last Goodbye,” by Elin Kelsey, artwork by Soyeon Kim
“The Big Cheese,” by Jori John & Pete Oswald
“Ruby Finds a Worry” by Tom Percival
“Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls” by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
“What Does It Mean to Be Present” by Rana DiOrio, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
“Breathe like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere” by Kira Willey
Parenting Books
“Getting Ahead of ADHD: What Next-Generation Science Says about Treatments that Work, and How You Can Make Them Work for Your Child,” by Joel T. Nigg, Ph.D.
“Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A guide to Daily Happiness for Kids.”
“Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents” (Fourth Edition), by Russell Barkley, Ph.D.
“Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming The Parent You Want to Be,” By Dr. Becky Kennedy
“No Drama Discipline” by Dan Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
“Bottom Line for Baby: From Sleep Training to Screens, Thumb Sucking to Tummy Time – What the Science Says” by Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
“Weird Parenting Wins: Bathtub Dining, Family Screams, and Other Hacks from the Parenting Trenches,” by Hillary Frank
“Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain” by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.
“How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success” by Julie Lythcott-Haims
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
Relationship Books
“All the Rage,” by Darcy Lockman
“Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find – and Keep – Love,” by Amir Levine, M.D., and Rachel Heller, Ph.D.
“The Man’s Guide to Women: Scientifically Proven Secrets from the “Love Lab” About What Women Really Want,” by John Gottman, Ph.D., Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ph.D., Douglas Abrams and Rachel Carlton Abrams, M.D.
“Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love” by Susan Johnson, Ph.D.
“Will I Ever Be Free of You? How to Navigate a High-Conflict Divorce from a Narcissist and Heal Your Family” by Karyl McBride, Ph.D.
“Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love” by John Gottman, Ph.D., Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ph.D., Doug Abrams & Rachel Carlton Abrams, M.D.
“Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence” by Esther Perel, Ph.D.
Healing and Personal Growth books
“The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World,” by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu
“Notes on Being A Man,” by Scott Galloway
“Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence,” by Anna Lembke, M.D.
“Mindfulness Journal for Mental Health,” by Elizabeth Cronin, PsyD
“Bright-Sided,” by Barbara Ehrenreich
“The War for Kindness: Building Empathy In A Fractured World” by Jamil Zaki
“Resilient Grieving,” by Lucy Hone, Ph.D.
“The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel Van der Kolk, M.D.
“The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom” by Jonathan Haidt
“The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science” by Norman Doidge, M.D.
Health & Miscellaneous
“It Doesn’t Have to Hurt: How Cutting Edge Science and Good Habits Can Stop the Hurt,” by Sanjay Gupta, M.D.
“Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters, and How to Harness It,” by Ethan Kross, Ph.D.
“Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society One Zip Code at a Time,” by Seth D. Kaplan
The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness,” by Meghan O’Rourke
“Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism,” by Barry M. Prizant, Ph.D
“Why We Sleep: unlocking the power of sleep and dreams,” by Matthew Walker, Ph.D.
“The Telomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier, Longer,” by Elizabeth Blackburn, PhD, and Elissa Epel, PhD.
“Secrets From The Eating Lab” by Traci Mann, Ph.D.
“Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind Food That Isn’t Food,” by Chris van Tulleken, M.D., Ph.D.
Games and Activities
“We! Connect Cards: Create Conversations that Matter”
“Where Should We Begin? A game of stories,” by Esther Perel, Ph.D.
“BE MINDFUL: Card Deck for Teens”
Talking Point: 200 conversation cards (available for kids, teens and families), created by Ben Jones
“Bright Spots Thoughts and Feelings: A Sentence Completion Card Game,” by Elizabeth Wornham
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