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 R
Resentment
Exploring unresolved anger and hurt, what resentment may be protecting and how we might begin to release it.
Letter R
Restlessness
Exploring feelings of dissatisfaction, agitation or longing for change and what they may be asking us to notice.
Letter R
Re-invention
Exploring the courage and possibility involved in reshaping identity, direction or daily life after significant change.
Letter R
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
Exploring intense emotional responses to perceived criticism or rejection, often discussed in connection with ADHD.
Letter U
Unemployment
Exploring the emotional and practical impact of being without work, including identity, confidence, purpose and uncertainty.