Letter J
Jealousy
Exploring insecurity, attachment and fear of loss, and what jealousy can reveal about our emotional needs.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best books to read about jealousy?
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 jealousy?
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 Jealousy 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 jealousy.
Do I need a Book Therapy membership to see the full jealousy list?
Yes. The full Jealousy 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 jealousy 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 Jealousy resonates, these companion themes from the A–Z of Book Prescriptions may meet you next.
Letter J
Joy & Wonder
Celebrating curiosity, delight and the moments of connection or beauty that make life feel richer.
Letter O
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Exploring intrusive thoughts, compulsions and the lived emotional experience of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Letter O
Overthinking
Exploring repetitive thoughts, rumination and uncertainty, with perspectives that encourage greater clarity and mental space.
Letter P
Panic Attacks
Exploring sudden episodes of intense fear and their emotional impact, with supportive perspectives on understanding the experience.
Letter P
Parenting
Exploring the emotional complexities of raising children, including connection, responsibility, uncertainty and changing family relationships.
Letter P
PTSD & Trauma
Exploring the lasting emotional and psychological effects of trauma, alongside themes of safety, recovery and resilience.