It’s cold, your night off, and all you want to is spend the night snuggled in comfort. This might be your favourite blanket, fleece – or in my case, scarf. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that’ll make you feel happy and at peace. This is your time to do something for yourself. Make the most of it.
When you’ve done that you’ll need some kind of beverage to tide you over for the next few (if you’re lucky) hours. Mine would be a Pumpkin Spice latte from Starbucks, because why not? There’s nothing better to get you in the Autumn, or ‘spooky season’ spirit.
Naturally, with all this time on your hands, your mind slips to all the things you have to do over the next day, week, or month. Playing in the forefront of your mind like a broken record.
Not anymore! You’re going to intentionally enjoy your free time – don’t let it pass you by without giving you the rest you deserve.
So let me make a suggestion.
Pick up a book. They’re a wonderful way to escape to new and different realities, whilst still abiding by current Covid regulations. Give one chapter of a good book a chance, and you’ll be gasping to soak it up.
Sit back, sip your Pumpkin Spice latte, and consider how you really feel today. It’ll come in handy (as reference) when I take you through some great mental health bookish picks.
There’s a rough mixture of both fiction and non – fiction. Though I find fiction more cathartic when dealing with mental health, so there may be bias in that respect.
But, remember, these are only suggestions. Don’t feel you have to read them if you think they might be triggering for you.
1. The Midnight Library, Matt Haig
Nora Seed is faced with the possibility of being able to change the past, which then changes the future. Each book in the library tells the story of how your life would have gone, if you made a different decision at a certain point in your life. Both the good and the bad repercussions.
This one calls to me probably because I love reflecting on how I would change a situation (hindsight is a wonderful thing). Researching this book had me paying extra attention to how all my thoughts interact with each other. As well as the idea that if you think something bad is going to happen, it will subconsciously lead you to making this happen – a self – fulfilling prophecy. The good news is this can happen with positive thoughts too, so what more could you want? I’ll say it for you, a mind that doesn’t overthink.
Reasons to Stay Alive, Matt Haig
This book isn’t necessarily as morbid as it sounds at first. If you take into consideration that Haig has essentially put this book together so you can learn from his ‘mistakes’. As insensitive as it sounds, I quite like it when you read about other people’s suffering in books. Not because I want them to suffer. No. But because you can really get to the recesses of someone’s darkest thoughts. And I have real respect for someone who can be honest and open like that. Whether it be fictional, or in real life.
Turtles all the way Down, John Green
As if dealing with your anxiety isn’t already enough, Aza’s friend, Daisy, sends her on a mission to steal from a fugitive billionaire (surely they won’t miss the odd shoe?) Along with this, comes the temptation of a first kiss, which sends Aza’s emotions spiralling.
A brilliant book because it highlights how mental illness can have a profound influence on how you think and feel, without you being completely crippled by it.
I used that word because I hate it. It implies that as soon as you are suffering with your mental health, you’re fundamentally incapable. And this book aims to oppose just that.
The Glass House, Bettina Wolfe
Valerie’s life is quickly turned upside down as the person she once called the love of her life turns against her. Taking her away in the midst of a whirlwind romance, to a glass house deep in the jungle.
This book perfectly emulates the idea of being trapped (in your mind) against your will. And the way your mind can very quickly turn something into something it’s not. I personally relate to the idea of the deep disappointment you might feel, when something is thrown in your face. Whatever that commitment may be.
Mad Girl, Bryony Gordon
This autobiography illustrates Gordon’s battle with OCD and depression. Though very sensitive, the humour throughout gives you the courage to consider the fact that yes, mental health can make you feel bad, but does that have to define you, on the whole? It could just be another part of what makes you unique.
Is there anything you could learn from your so – called mistakes?
Maybe you Should Talk to Someone, Lori Gottlieb
Lori Gottlieb is searching for answers. Who exactly is this Wendell? Anything but the experienced therapist he presents himself to be, it seems.
This book shows how much our perceptions of people can quickly change, for the good or bad. Given the chance. I also like the playing on the assumption that every therapist has their life all meticulously figured out (doesn’t everybody?)
This book seems similar to another very good book, The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides.
Paperweight, Meg Haston
As Stevie refuses to come to terms with her brother’s past, she is sent to a mental health clinic. Because of her intensely private nature, Stevie just wants to be left alone. But unfortunately for her that’s just not the way it works, what with being monitored meticulously.
Although this is a deep and harrowing book, it’s good in showing not only how different mental illnesses can have a compounding effect on each other, but how you can be strong in the hardest of times. Even if your past comes back to haunt you.
The Symptoms of being Human, Jeff Garvin
This book follows the life of the main character, Riley Cavanaugh, who happens to be genderfluid (look it up, if you don’t know what it means, you’ll learn something interesting). Through this book we get to empathise with the bullying and discrimination that likely ensues at the simple mention of being even slightly unique to the so – called status quo. Very important in showing how easily we take for granted something so fundamental to our identity. How fragile our perception of reality can be. And how narrow – minded people have so much influence over that, if you let them. A great book for anyone and everyone who’s ever felt like they don’t fit in.
The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath
This semi – autobiographical novel, originally published under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas, essentially depicts Sylvia Plath’s breakdown and eventual recovery (with the names and places changed.) Whilst also emphasising the societal expectations of women in the 1950s.
There’s also detailed insight into her mindset, allowing people who have not knowingly suffered from depression, to empathise with the way it saps your energy. Whether you are doing something or not.
The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger
Set in the 1950s, this book tells the story of a fifteen year old boy Holden Caulfield. A few days before the Christmas holidays, he goes to see his history teacher, and we find out that he has been expelled for failing most of his classes. After this happens, his roommate, Ward Stradlater asks Holden to write an essay for him while he goes on a date with his girlfriend. When Stradlater refuses to tell him whether he and his date had sex, Holden leaves for New York, where he assumes he will find love. The book then goes through a series of flashbacks about short term or attempted relationships. Until it’s revealed at the end that he is in a mental hospital to cope with the depression caused by rejection. The final push is when we are told Holden will have to go to a new school next term. Despite him being ill. Appealing to the overwhelming feeling of not being able to keep up with expectations.
– D
*Note: the images in this post were used for reference from https://www.goodreads.com and https://www.amazon.co.uk. These were also used as inspiration for the summaries.
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