The Book of Healing: Selected Poetry and Prose

by Najwa Zebian

From bestselling author, speaker, and educator Najwa Zebian comes a collectible treasury of her most beloved poetry and prose. Selected by the author and organized by topic, the pieces in this collection address themes such as letting go, understanding self-worth, and stepping into your own power.

Perfect for readers looking to overcome pain, heal from trauma, and rebuild a strong sense of self, The Book of Healing contains Najwa’s favorite pieces from her three bestselling books— Mind Platter , The Nectar of Pain , and Sparks of Phoenix .

Beautifully packaged with foil-stamping and a ribbon marker, this gift-worthy selection of poems gets straight to the heart of Najwa’s message. A keepsake or a broad introduction, The Book of Healing is a worthy companion for anyone looking to cultivate emotional resilience.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Mental Health, Spirituality

288 pages, Hardcover

Published November 9, 2021

About the author

Najwa Zebian is a Lebanese-Canadian author, speaker, and educator. Her passion for language was evident from a young age, as she delved into Arabic poetry and novels.

The search for a home—what Najwa describes as a place where the soul and heart feel at peace—was central to her early years. When she arrived in Canada at the age of sixteen, she felt unstable and adrift in an unfamiliar place.

Nevertheless, she completed her education, and went on to become a teacher as well as a doctoral candidate in educational leadership. Her first students, a group of young refugees, led her back to her original passion: writing. She began to heal her sixteen-year-old self by writing to heal her students.

Since self-publishing her first collection of poetry and prose in 2016, Najwa has become an inspiration to millions of people worldwide.

Najwa has become a trailblazing voice for women everywhere and was name dropped by the New York Times and CBS News among others.

Drawing on her own experiences of displacement, discrimination, and abuse, Najwa uses her words to encourage others to build a home within themselves; to live, love, and create fearlessly.

Reviews

[Milly ☄. *. ⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

An end
does not have to be
the end.

this book was PHENOMENAL. it is so beautifully written and relatable. this book was divided into different sections based on the different stages of healing, starting with forgiveness, and ending in hope. this book allowed me to reflect on who i was as a person and my place in certain situations of my life that have made a big impact on me. i think that this book is incredible, and it is especially impactful when you can relate to it. HIGHLY recommend.

[Annetherese Biesiada · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book of poetry and prose. Every word is like a warm blanket the protects, comforts and empowers you. Everyone should read this book. I picked it up at the library and thought, “I don’t need healing, healing from what? What is this book?” Then I read and read some more. Slowly. Then, I ordered my own copy.

[vampire ੈ✩‧₊˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very beautiful book. There’s a poem in here that anyone could relate to— a lot I can relate to as well. Many poems in it made me feel seen and spoke to me intimately.

Four stars because while the poems were written well and beautifully, I found some of it to be repetitive and hard to get through towards the end. It was easy to get bored / uninterested towards the end, however I have ADHD, so I’m recognizing it’s probably a me thing.

Either way, great poetry book! I hope everyone who reads it feels comfort, peace, and the feeling of being seen.

[Maude Brousseau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one went right trough my heart 🥹 loved it so much!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I bought solely because it looked pretty. And boy am I glad I did! Each chapter has a theme: love, hope, forgiveness, etc. Within each chapter, there are beautiful poems and prose about that subject. While each chapter had some repetition, I thoroughly enjoyed the style of writing Zebian uses. It is powerful and thought provoking.

[Marvelous · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sounded like a profound and beautiful book in theory. The cover is so gorgeous too. Would make a great coffee table book in theory. But once I started reading it was just a load of pretentious nothing. It's like if Rupi Kaur never learned what a metaphor was. So disappointing. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 since at least the cover is beautiful.

[wordinspirationx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mein Herz ist voller Liebe und Wärme für die Worte, die Gefühle und für das ganze Buch. Die Texte der Autorin haben sich wie eine Umarmung angefühlt, die ich gerade sehr gebraucht habe. Sie schreibt in kurzen Texten und Prosa über all den Schmerz der Welt und gibt ganz viele liebevolle Wahrheiten und Hoffnungen mit auf den Weg. Eine ganz große Empfehlung

[Fiza · Rating 2 out of 5]

good advice, but the poetry portion is the same as Instagram poetry. it would be almost impossible to distinguish between a piece of poetry in this book and say rupi kaur's... or any other such writer.

[Kiki Casco · Rating 5 out of 5]

my heart really needed this 🥺🤍

[Autumn Daggett · Rating 2 out of 5]

did not love this. usually I can finish a poetry book in a matter of days. this took me months. and I know I'm in the minority with this review. idk I'm sorry!

[Nika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neverjetno dobro

[Mirelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How can you be afraid of meeting fate at the right time when fate is the one chasing you, not you who chase it?”

I am absolutely floored by this book, what a great reminder that vulnerability is a strength in a world that can often be so dark and cold when deprived of it.

Some thoughts while reading this book:
1. I now realize that happiness is not a milestone, but a state of constant I yearn to be in no matter how small in increments it graces me with for as long as this life will have me.

2. It only solidifies my belief to treat others the way that I hope to be treated, not the way others have treated me.

3. When life seems to give me so much more than I can handle, I should be reminded that I too have been blessed with more than I deserve.

4. I am not responsible to live up to anyone’s expectations of me, much in the same way others are not limited by my expectations of them. No one can make me feel inferior without my consent.

5. If it makes me happy, it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone. I should never feel obliged to explain anything. I could, but I shouldn’t HAVE to. It is incredibly liberating once I let this sentence sink into my thick skull.

6. There is no one path to healing. Forgive when you are ready, not because you have to. You are only meant to climb those mountains, not carry them. Embrace the pain for it to go away and let peace make its way in return.

Time and time again books have come to my rescue, it is truly my best outlet in helping me try to make sense of what my heart thought no words could ever do its feelings justice.

Thank you Najwa for bringing this book into my life, allowing me to be in a pensive state during and after. I will be forever grateful to have your words to effect me in this profound way.

[WendyTheOwl · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*

FR
C'est le premier livre que je lis de l'auteure; qui m'avait été recommandé par plusieurs abonné.e.s. Je remercie d'ailleurs un.e abonné.e mystère pour le cadeau !
Et je dois dire que je ne suis absolument pas déçue !
J'ai pris énormément de plaisir à lire ce livre, même si certains passages étaient "durs".
Et si je n'ai pas mis 5*; c'est uniquement pour certaines choses qui sont dites avec lesquelles je ne suis pas d'accord, c'est tout.
Outre ça, c'est un véritable coup de coeur, et j'ai mis les autres livres dans ma wishlist haha !

ENG
This is the first book I read by the author; which had been recommended to me by several subscribers. I also thank a mystery subscriber for the gift !
And I must say that I am absolutely not disappointed!
I had a lot of fun reading this book, even if some passages were "hard".
And if I didn't give 5*; it's only for certain things that are said that I don't agree with, that's all.
Besides that, it's a real crush, and I put the other books in my wishlist haha !

[Dr Ufaque Batool · Rating 5 out of 5]

*The Book of Healing* by Najwa Lebian. As its title goes, this book is really about healing. The author has selected proses that can heal disturbed, traumatized, depressed souls. I must say Najwa has built a compassionate relationship with every reader's soul with her selected collection of poetry and proses which this book is all about. She has made her point very transparent that how we need to own our pain to own its healing. This book will help every soul to strengthen its spirits. In some ways, this book of Najwa plays a role of a councellor, listener, and friend in need. This book will let you see the positive side of every downfall. This book will make you love yourself and will help you put yourself first before everyone. In my opinion, This book is very refreshing, and you don't have to have a broken heart to read such a lovely collection of poetry and prose, you can always enjoy such a collection, just like me.

[Idalina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book is divided into different sections like the stages of healing. Most is concerned with healing of relationships. This was not clear to me from the cover and description. The poetry is uplifting even though it tells a sad story. Overall, a helpful read. There are quite a few I have bookmarked, so it was definitely a help and consolation.

[Sammi Conger · Rating 5 out of 5]

somehow najwa zebian always writes everything i need to hear ✨ MAGIC in a book

[Bouchra Benhelal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best self-healing book I've ever read. Najwa is very skilled with words, I felt such an incredibly strong connection to her through her writing. Her mindset, her ideas, her advices..pure gold. At some point, I felt like what I was reading was similar to listening to a podcast, that is very relaxing and informative. Plus, the writing is very simple and easily understandable, even people with a beginner level in English can read this book and learn a lot of life lessons from it.

Here are some of the lines that marked me while reading this magnetic book :

In the Forest
I often close my eyes
and replay this in my heart.
 
You held my hand so tightly
and took my breath away
as you softly sealed my lips with your finger.
“Slow down. Rest your soul,” you said.
And with your other hand,
you shed darkness over my eyes.
With that, you stole the beats of my heart.
“I’m scared,” I said.
“I know the way,” you said.
We walked and walked.
We talked and talked.
You put my worries to sleep.
You ignited the warmth of love in my heart.
You became part of me.
And I was you.
We were one.
We were one.
I put my heart to sleep inside yours.
And when I opened my eyes to the sun in yours,
I saw only the sun.
Not you.
You left and stripped the heart out of me.
I am still in the forest,
lost without a map,
waiting for you to come back
and show me the way.
You said you knew the way,
remember?
 
I still cry every time I read this.
I still don’t understand
why you left
and never came back.
~~~~~
You don’t deserve to spend the rest of your life convincing someone of why they should love you.

I do not want anyone to tell me
I am overthinking this.
I just want someone to
love me through this.
~~~~~
She built a home for you,
but you still had other places to see.
~~~~~
It’s painful,
you know,
to not know what you mean anymore
to the one whose love was louder than
thunder
at first.
~~~~~
Stop equating your worth with their opinion of you.
~~~~~
I am so afraid of
giving you the pieces of
my soul that
I gave before.
~~~~~
From the ashes,
I rose
and I stitched the pieces
of my soul
back together
with gold.
~~~~~
you have to believe that true change for yourself comes from within you, not from anyone else.
~~~~~
ou escaped my soul
through my tears.
My love for you was as
deep
as the ocean,
and that’s how far down I dove.
I cried enough to fill the ocean
and float my soul back
to shore.
~~~~~
My demolition might not be in my hands, but my reconstruction is.
~~~~~
Lose as many people as you need to
in order to not lose yourself.
~~~~~
Love is not a destination that we reach at one point. It is a journey that we already began the moment we were born.
~~~~~
"The sight of you
and the sound of your voice
stimulate my brain
more than
the touch of
all the women whose bodies
I have explored.”

[Hairi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why didn't I have this book 8/9 years ago. I wish I had it then. I loved this book. It is full of positive vibes and energy. It gives you hope without telling you so.
I wanted to take my time with this book because I wanted to process everything I was reading it. I didn't want to skim through it just for the sake of reading.
This book has a way of teaching one to have a different perspective of looking at things. I was so surprised how something negative has something positive in it. All you need is to find something positive in your bad experiences.
It is so simple yet deep in meaning. For example, we use the word mistake so often without knowing it has negative impact. Instead you could use the word experience which is a positive word, and watch how life unfolds wonders Infront of you. That's how author motivates you seek positivity.
Reading this book was like the author was directly talking to me. I could hear her voice in my head. I have so many questions from the author.
P.S: I don't think I'll ever be able to do justice to this book using words.

[Stephanie (Everilde Rae) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to first say the layout of the book is quite satisfying. Made it very easy to read and allowed space to reflect.

The first few chapters of this book helped me understand and move past a damaging work place. Those chapters made me feel heard, and I appreciate that so much. This book jumped off the shelf at me at the exact time I needed it.

The second half of the book felt a bit repetitive, so it wasn't as moving to me as the first half. I'm also a debbie downer by nature lol so the chapters on love, happiness, power, etc. were a little too cliche for me.

Bottomline: this book helped me through a difficult time, and also helped free my soul from writer's block. If you are like me and feel trapped in anger and sadness over something that's taken over your life, definitely check this book out.

[Aziza · Rating 5 out of 5]

“you hit me with
your pain, and i turn it into
poetry.”

I found and read this book at the perfect time, when i need this courage the most.
Every words, sentences, and poetries that contained in this book is so beautiful, relatable and can give a very warm hug to everybody who read this book.

Every pages of this book is amazing and i feel like there's a person besides me who pat my head while i read this, this book really heal my soul and I'm so glad for that, so happy for read this book. Forever I will be thankful to Najwa Zebian

[Raasti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Najwa Zebian’s The Book of Healing is a soul-stirring collection of poetry and prose that guides readers through the journey of heartbreak, self-discovery, and healing. Her words resonate deeply, offering solace and empowerment to those navigating pain and growth. With her signature blend of vulnerability and wisdom, Zebian crafts a sanctuary of hope, reminding readers of their inner strength and capacity for renewal. This book is a comforting companion for anyone seeking clarity and emotional resilience

[Nindya Chitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Najwa penulis yang baik dan juga pintar mengekspresikan tiap emosi. Hanya saja, aku kurang suka dengan tema-tema tulisannya yang cenderung masih terasa victim untukku. Memang kesan empowerment terasa, tapi masih banyak sekali kesan judgement dan berhenti di sana. Dalam journey, mungkin akan banyak orang yang relate dengan tulisannya, tapi ketika makin tipis victim mentality kita, rasanya ada tahap selanjutnya. Tapi tetap tulisannya bagus untuk pemahaman luka dan menerima apa yang terjadi pada kita, lalu bangkit.

[Bea (beansbookshelves) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.

This is an amazing poetry book about healing and forgiveness -- not forgiving others because they deserve it, but because you need it in order to heal. It talks about trusting life and knowing that things will come to you in the right moment. I enjoyed reading this book so much, it made me feel at peace with myself. Rating: 5/5 stars.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

5*⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I felt so heard reading this book on day 376 in my health and wellness journey. ❤️🙏🏼 It’s beautifully organized in a poetic way. It is very comforting and easy to read. It’s a book to read if you feel the need to heal from your wounds - physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s worth a read to take a step back to pause and reflect in your life journey. Healing also looks different for everyone. ❤️🧡💚💜💙 Love that the author is Canadian too! 🇨🇦 🍁

[Ariana Guillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has really opened my perspectives on a lot of things and then I needed to hear. A lot of unhealed wounds have now been realized what was missing. Not only does it talk about healing wounds but in general how to approach allies in a more peaceful matter and it is definitely something that I need especially right now. Right now in my life I really needed this book and if it wasn’t for this book, I would definitely be lost.

[Anatasya Rafelinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book feel like a warm hug for anyone who feels like there is no one whom can understand your Pain after so much things were going on in the past. There are parts when you wanna read over and over again. And sometimes I do realized that I haven’t healed tho, because i’m still holding on. it’s more complicated than saying good bye. And again i’m feeling Stuck and looping into this cycle over and over again.

[Julia Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Najwa Zebian is my favourite poet, not because her writing is unique or special - but because it makes me feel seen. Perhaps it’s the part of me that is finally healing and finally allowing herself happiness - or perhaps the part of me who never felt like her pain was valid - who wants to bawl her eyes out at the way Zebian writes self-help healing poetry. Whichever part of me that is awoken by The Book of Healing, seeing myself in someone else’s words is as good as it will get for me.

[venus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the heck out of this book !! The first page made me instantly put the book back on the shelves when i first seen it at first, but i realized “why not read it” ? I love poetry and the ideology of the book so together it made it exciting and interesting to read. Haven’t finished the book yet.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this poetry book and it could not have come at a better time in my life. This book stumbled into my lap and I read it in a couple weeks. Each poem was relatable and the thoughts and feelings that I have had over the years were summed up in this book. I hope everyone can enjoy it was much as I did. I can't wait to read another one of her books.

[Morgan Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I feel a lot of poetry tells a story of something dark in the authors past. This book takes average human struggle and weakness and turns into something bright and hopeful. This is a book that I feel everyone can relate to in some way and it really makes you take a step back and make sure that you don’t let little things loose yourself in your journey.