Resources & Reading

Books & More on Brain Health and Caregiver Support

Curated reads, guides, and resources for stroke survivors, caregivers, and anyone committed to brain health.

Start Your Own Library — Draw Upon Brain Health and Recovery

Books & MORE. The books selected are great to learn about your brain. We encourage you to start your own library to draw upon brain health and recovery. There are many great stories and resources — the titles below are a starting point for survivors, caregivers, and anyone ready to understand the most powerful organ in the human body.

Brain Health & Stroke Recovery

Essential reading on how the brain heals, what recovery looks like, and how to advocate for the best outcomes.

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Survivor Memoir

My Stroke of Insight

Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D.

A brain scientist's firsthand account of experiencing a massive stroke and her remarkable eight-year recovery. Dr. Taylor was a Harvard-trained neuroanatomist — her insider perspective on how the brain heals is both scientifically grounding and deeply inspiring for survivors and caregivers alike.

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Brain Science

Whole Brain Living

Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D.

Dr. Taylor's follow-up to My Stroke of Insight — a guide to harnessing all four characters of the brain to live a more peaceful, purposeful life. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how the brain's two hemispheres shape who we are and how we recover.

Brain Science

Brain Rules

John Medina

A molecular biologist breaks down 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home, and school — grounded in how the brain actually works. Practical, accessible, and eye-opening for anyone on a recovery journey or supporting one.

Neuroscience

The Brain: The Story of You

David Eagleman

Neuroscientist David Eagleman takes readers on an exploration of the human brain — perception, memory, identity, and consciousness. A vivid and accessible companion for stroke survivors and caregivers seeking to understand the organ at the center of recovery.

Recovery Guide

Stronger After Stroke

Peter G. Levine

A practical, evidence-based guide to stroke recovery that empowers survivors and caregivers with strategies used by top rehabilitation specialists.

Neuroplasticity

The Brain's Way of Healing

Norman Doidge, M.D.

Explores the brain's remarkable capacity for neuroplasticity — how it can rewire itself after injury, illness, and stroke — with inspiring case studies.

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Paralyzed but Not Powerless — thematic image
Survivor Memoir

Paralyzed but Not Powerless

Kate Adamson

Kate Adamsone's courageous memoir of life after paralysis — a story of faith, resilience, and refusing to be defined by physical limitation. Her journey speaks directly to stroke survivors and anyone navigating a life transformed by sudden disability. A powerful reminder that the human spirit cannot be paralyzed.

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Survivor Memoir

The Story I Wanted to Hear

The true tale of a wife and mother who suffers a stroke at the age of 36 — a raw, honest account of survival, recovery, and rebuilding life after the unthinkable. A powerful memoir that speaks to stroke survivors and their families navigating the long road back to themselves.

Caregiver Support & Self-Care

Books written for and about caregivers — honoring the work, addressing the burnout, and restoring the person behind the role.

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Caregiver Memoir

The Story I Wanted to Hear

Ann Koenig, RN

Written by a registered nurse who became a caregiver herself, this book offers an honest, compassionate account of what it means to care for someone you love — and how to hold onto your own story in the process.

Caregiver Guide

The Caregiver's Companion

Jacqueline Marcell

A compassionate and practical guide for family caregivers — covering everything from managing daily care to protecting your own mental and physical health.

Caregiver Memoir

Passages in Caregiving

Gail Sheehy

A deeply personal and universally resonant account of caregiving, offering a roadmap through the emotional and practical stages every caregiver faces.

Dementia & Memory

The 36-Hour Day

Nancy L. Mace & Peter V. Rabins

The definitive guide for families caring for people with Alzheimer's, dementia, and memory loss — widely recommended for caregivers supporting stroke survivors with cognitive changes.

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Faith & Caregiving

Prayers in My Gumbo

Nadine Roberts Cornish

Nadine Roberts Cornish blends faith, culture, and caregiving wisdom in this soulful guide for those who care for others. Drawing on her deep roots and spiritual practice, she offers prayers, reflections, and practical encouragement for caregivers who need to be nourished as much as those they serve.

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Caregiver Self-Care

Transforming Your Life Through Self-Care

Carolyn A. Brent

Carolyn A. Brent — a nationally recognized caregiver advocate — delivers a practical, compassionate roadmap for caregivers who have forgotten to care for themselves. With actionable strategies and heartfelt wisdom, this book helps caregivers reclaim their health, identity, and joy without guilt.

Pediatric Stroke & Family Resources

Titles for families navigating stroke in children — from diagnosis through long-term recovery and advocacy.

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Family Resource

Pediatric Stroke: A Guide for Families

Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association

A family-centered resource covering causes, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term support for children who have experienced stroke.

Mental Health & Emotional Recovery

Resources addressing depression, anxiety, grief, and the emotional journey that accompanies stroke and chronic illness.

Trauma & Healing

The Body Keeps the Score

Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.

A groundbreaking exploration of how trauma — including the trauma of sudden illness — lives in the body and how healing is possible through mind-body approaches.

Resilience

Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy

Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant

A powerful guide to resilience in the face of life-altering adversity — widely embraced by stroke survivors and caregivers navigating grief and rebuilding.

Performance, Mindset & Winning

Books on mental toughness, relentless drive, and the champion's mindset — because recovery demands the same discipline as elite performance.

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Leadership & Winning

The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players

Pat Riley

NBA championship coach Pat Riley shares the principles of sustained excellence — teamwork, commitment, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. A powerful read for survivors and caregivers who understand that recovery is the ultimate team sport.

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Mental Toughness

Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable

Tim S. Grover

The trainer behind Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade reveals what separates the good from the great — and the great from the unstoppable. A raw, uncompromising guide to mental toughness that speaks directly to the spirit of recovery.

Mental Toughness

Unforgiving: A Life Lived at the Edge

Tim S. Grover with Shari Wenk

Grover's follow-up to Relentless — a deeper exploration of what it takes to operate at the highest level when the stakes are highest. For survivors and caregivers who refuse to settle for anything less than their full potential.

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Faith & Resilience

Conquering Life's Curves

Ed Hearn

Former World Series champion Ed Hearn shares how he overcame a career-ending injury, multiple organ failures, and near-death experiences to find purpose and joy. A testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and redefining what winning looks like when life throws its hardest pitches.

Have a Book to Recommend?

If a book or resource made a difference in your recovery or caregiving journey, we want to hear about it. Help us grow this collection for the community.

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