As 2025 comes to a close, we’ve selected our top 10 books that offer comfort, insight, and inspiration for anyone who’s been touched by cancer. This diverse list has something for everyone, from memoirs and personal stories to practical guides and uplifting reads.
1) The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen: Nourishing, Big-Flavor Recipes for Cancer Treatment and Recovery by Rebecca Katz with Mat Edelson
Written by chef and nutritional entrepreneur Rebecca Katz, this cookbook was the most popular book in our community this year. Explore 150 easy recipes designed to nourish your body through cancer treatment and recovery.
2) Open Heart, Warrior Spirit by Trevor Maxwell
Recommended by one of Outcomes4Me’s community members, this book highlights the unique challenges men face following a cancer diagnosis. Maxwell offers his personal insights and guidance on navigating healthcare decisions and mental health.
3) Crying in H-Mart by Michelle Zauner
Crying in H-Mart, a New York Times bestseller, chronicles Zauner’s journey of healing and self-discovery following her mother’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Through this memoir, she reveals how family recipes and food can serve as a profound way to navigate grief and honor the memory of loved ones.
4) Cancer Is Complicated: And Other Unexpected Lessons I’ve Learned by Clea Shearer
Released in September 2025, Clea Shearer opens up about her experience with cancer in this heartfelt memoir. She candidly shares the emotional, social, and practical hurdles she encountered and reflects on the insights she gained.
5) Taking Care of the Whole You by Society for Integrative Oncology and CancerChoices
Learn how integrative therapies can support whole-body care in this free e-book written by a team of medical experts, patient advocates, and cancer survivors, including Outcomes4Me’s Director of Business Development Terri Crudup. Explore the benefits of nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and more, and how you can safely incorporate these complementary practices into your care.
6) My Parent Has Cancer and It Really Sucks by Marc and Maya Silver
This book is a collection of stories from over 100 teenagers sharing their experiences of having a parent with cancer. It’s an insightful and compassionate read for any parent with cancer who wants to better understand how their child may be feeling and navigate these challenging conversations.
7) The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde’s The Cancer Journals is a transformative memoir chronicling her breast cancer experience. Lorde defies societal expectations and inspires readers to honor their bodies and identities, finding empowerment even in life’s most difficult moments.
8) Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler
After a stage IV colon cancer diagnosis, Kate Bowler confronts and questions the idea that “everything happens for a reason.” Realizing that positive thinking alone can’t change her circumstances, she offers a thoughtful and introspective look at her life. Everything Happens for a Reason is a candid memoir that explores hope, faith, and mortality.
9) The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
While spending time in waiting rooms during cancer treatment, Mary Anne Schwalbe and her son Will shared conversations about the books they were reading. When they discovered they were reading the same novel, their impromptu book club was born. The End of Your Life Book Club is a heartfelt tribute from son to mother, celebrating her life and showing how literature can connect us to each other and the world.
10) Crazy Sexy Kitchen by Kris Carr and Chad Sarno
If you’re looking to incorporate more fiber and vegetables into your diet, Crazy Sexy Kitchen is an approachable cookbook featuring over 150 delicious plant-based recipes. From full meals to snacks and meal prep ideas, it offers everything you need to add more plant-based dishes to your everyday routine.
