As seen on Good Morning America's SEPTEMBER 2020 READING LIST and FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2020! "We need to read stories about folks who have been through hell and kept going... Fascinating." —Glennon Doyle, A Favorite Book of 2020 on Good Morning America "Gildiner is nothing short of masterful—as both a therapist and writer. In these pages, she has gorgeously captured both the privilege of being given access to the inner chambers of people's lives, and the meaning that comes from watching them grow into the selves they were meant to be." —Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone In this fascinating narrative, therapist Catherine Gildiner’s presents five of what she calls her most heroic and memorable patients. Among them: a successful, first generation Chinese immigrant musician suffering sexual dysfunction; a young woman whose father abandoned her at age nine with her younger siblings in an isolated cottage in the depth of winter; and a glamorous workaholic whose narcissistic, negligent mother greeted her each morning of her childhood with "Good morning, Monster." Each patient presents a mystery, one that will only be unpacked over years. They seek Gildiner's help to overcome an immediate challenge in their lives, but discover that the source of their suffering has been long buried. As in such recent classics as The Glass Castle and Educated, each patient embodies self-reflection, stoicism, perseverance, and forgiveness as they work unflinchingly to face the truth. Gildiner's account of her journeys with them is moving, insightful, and sometimes very funny. Good Morning Monster offers an almost novelistic, behind-the-scenes look into the therapist's office, illustrating how the process can heal even the most unimaginable wounds.
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About the author
Catherine Gildiner
Author
Catherine Gildiner is an American–Canadian author and clinical psychologist.
Good Morning, Monster
by Catherine Gildiner
Books Like Good Morning, Monster
If you're looking for books similar to Good Morning, Monster, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
The Body Keeps the Score
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A groundbreaking book about trauma and its lasting impact on mind and body. Van der Kolk explores how psychological trauma reshapes both body and brain, offering insights into healing and recovery. The book combines scientific research with compassionate storytelling about trauma survivors. It provides deep psychological insights similar to Gildiner's therapeutic narratives.
Man's Search for Meaning
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A profound meditation on finding purpose and resilience in the most extreme human conditions, based on Frankl's experiences in Nazi concentration camps. The book explores psychological survival, meaning-making, and human potential. Frankl reveals how individuals can maintain hope and dignity under unimaginable circumstances. It deeply resonates with Gildiner's themes of psychological resilience.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
Lori Gottlieb
A deeply personal exploration of therapy from both a therapist's and patient's perspective. Gottlieb shares her own therapeutic journey while revealing intimate stories of her patients' struggles and transformations. The book offers a compassionate look at human vulnerability and the healing power of psychological treatment. It provides raw, honest insights into mental health and personal growth, much like Gildiner's approach.
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A deeply personal memoir about identity, resilience, and personal growth. Obama shares her journey from childhood through her years as First Lady, exploring themes of family, ambition, and self-discovery. The book offers insights into overcoming challenges and maintaining personal integrity. It resonates with Gildiner's exploration of personal transformation.
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Educated
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A memoir of a woman who grows up in a strict, isolated family and ultimately pursues education against overwhelming odds. Westover describes her journey from a survivalist background to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. The book explores themes of psychological resilience, self-discovery, and overcoming traumatic family dynamics. It resonates with Gildiner's exploration of personal transformation.
An Unquiet Mind
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A powerful memoir about bipolar disorder from a clinical psychologist who experiences the condition herself. Jamison provides a deeply personal account of mental illness, combining professional expertise with raw emotional honesty. The book explores the complexities of psychological healing and personal resilience. It mirrors Gildiner's approach of revealing profound psychological journeys.
Brain That Changes Itself
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A groundbreaking exploration of neuroplasticity and the brain's capacity for healing and transformation. Doidge presents scientific research and personal stories demonstrating the brain's remarkable adaptability. The book offers hope and insights into psychological and neurological recovery. It complements Gildiner's therapeutic approach to understanding human resilience.
The Glass Castle
Jeannette Walls
A powerful memoir of resilience and survival against extraordinary childhood challenges. Walls recounts her dysfunctional and impoverished upbringing with parents who were simultaneously brilliant and deeply neglectful. The book explores themes of family trauma, survival, and ultimately forgiveness. Like Gildiner's work, it reveals how individuals can overcome profound psychological wounds.
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A profound exploration of a family devastated by schizophrenia, revealing the complex interactions between genetics, mental illness, and family dynamics. Kolker follows the Galvin family, where six of twelve children were diagnosed with schizophrenia. The book offers an intimate look at psychological struggle and familial resilience. It shares Gildiner's compassionate approach to understanding complex human experiences.
Quiet
Susan Cain
An exploration of introversion in a world that values extroversion, revealing the strengths of introspective personalities. Cain examines psychological and social dynamics of personality types. The book provides deep insights into human behavior and personal growth. It shares Gildiner's nuanced approach to understanding individual psychological experiences.
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A gripping medical memoir about a journalist's mysterious mental illness and her journey to diagnosis and recovery. Cahalan documents her descent into a rare neurological condition that dramatically altered her perception and behavior. The book provides an intimate look at psychological struggle and medical mystery. It shares Gildiner's approach of revealing complex personal narratives.
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Waking Up White
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A memoir about racial identity and understanding systemic privilege from a personal growth perspective. Irving chronicles her journey of self-discovery and confronting unconscious racial biases. The book explores psychological transformation and self-reflection. It shares Gildiner's theme of personal growth through challenging self-understanding.
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