Letter I
Infertility
Exploring the emotional experience of fertility difficulties, including uncertainty, grief, relationships, hope and changing expectations.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best books to read about infertility?
A good place to start is the fiction, nonfiction, and poetry suggested in this reading list. They each explore this theme differently, so you can select what you are connecting with the most.
Can reading really help with infertility?
Yes, although it should not be viewed as a substitute for therapy. The right book can help you articulate feelings you have struggled to explain, offer reassurance that you are not alone, and provide a new perspective. Sometimes that insight is exactly what you need; at other times, it can encourage you to seek further support.
Who curates the Infertility reading list?
Bijal Shah, a bibliotherapist, founder of Book Therapy and The Book Therapy Method and the author of Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading (Hachette, 2024). She has spent over ten years matching readers to books for all kinds of emotional and life themes, including infertility.
Do I need a Book Therapy membership to see the full infertility list?
Yes. The full Infertility reading list, with my notes on each book and the personal reading tools, lives inside the Book Therapy membership. You also get the whole A to Z of Book Prescriptions, the journalling, and writing tools and reading progress tracking.
Are these infertility books suitable if I've never read anything on the topic before?
Yes. The list is deliberately diverse in order to ensure there is something for everyone, whether that's a short memoir, a poem to sit with over a cup of tea, or a novel to properly disappear into. If something feels too close to what you're going through right now, you have the option to put it down. And another book on the list might be more helpful.
Related reading lists
If Infertility resonates, these companion themes from the A–Z of Book Prescriptions may meet you next.
Letter I
Inner Child
Exploring how early experiences can shape adult emotions and relationships, and how we might respond with greater compassion.
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Identity
Exploring who we are, how identity develops and what happens when our sense of self begins to change.
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Institutional & Power-Based Bullying
Exploring bullying enabled by authority, hierarchy or organisational systems and its impact on individuals.
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Insomnia
Exploring sleeplessness, its emotional impact and the complicated relationship between rest, stress and mental wellbeing.
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Intimacy
Exploring emotional and physical closeness, vulnerability, trust and our capacity to connect deeply with others.
Letter A
Abusive Relationships
Understanding unhealthy or harmful relationship dynamics, their emotional effects, and the journey towards safety and recovery.