Grieve Outside the Box is a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously (thank God), a refreshingly funny guidebook to death and grief that is like taking a long walk with your best friend, or having the most tender cup of tea you’ll ever have at exactly the right moment with someone who gets it. Elena Box is our fairy death mother in this process, igniting a blazing flame through piss-your-pants stories and comical revelations during the world-bending experience of losing someone you deeply love. Topics are both inspirational (it’s time to take your Griefcation® and practical (how to deal with vultures who make your experience all about them).

Box’s direct experience of losing her father in her early 20’s and having no guidance gave way to this work of comedic devotion, a seminal book for this generation who have little else but dusty true-isms and feel-good philosophies to choose from when death comes to their door. Box’s work is a take-me-everywhere friend that you’ll cry with, laugh with, scheme with. Dream with.

With supporting roles by Sir Ian McKellan and zen-teachers in the form of Peruvian Mountains, Grieve Outside the Box pairs teachable and instructional moments with A-Z exercises you can do yourself (or with the grim reaper). Be forewarned: a devil-may-care jouissance may be the result of reading this game-changing work.