Book recommendations for when you’re really (really, really) depressed?
Book recommendations for when you’re really (really, really) depressed?
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Book recommendations for when you’re really (really, really) depressed?
My personal favorite is Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. But everybody’s happy place is different. I go back to books that I enjoyed as a kid or a teenager. Back when you know times were simpler 😉 I take the time to reread books when I’m really sad. It’s like revisiting an old friend. Not that new books aren’t friends but I like to go to known favs.
I was just going to suggest any of Douglas Adam’s books!
I always read Dracula…total escape, and my problems seem small on comparison
The number 1 ladies detective agency series is wonderful.
For me, it’s Harry Potter, or The Little Prince.
Let’s pretend this never happened
Oh that’s a good one!
Furiously Happy
Yes!!!!! Love Furiously Happy and Lets pretend this never happened
I just read this and I feel so much better about my future. It really helped me.
Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh
Yeah I need one of those books.
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings–at least a week’s worth of hibernation reading.
Harry Potter for sure. And if I’m too depressed to physically read it I have a copy of the audio books
Anything by Dave Barry or Patrick McManus. They both make me laugh
This Book Will Save Your Life. It’s about a rich dude that has a heart attack and the ways his life falls apart/falls together in the aftermath. Kinda bizarre, kinda funny, pulls-you-in type of book. I forget the authors name. A.H. something, I think. I read it in the throws of anxiety induced crisis and enjoyed it. Hopefully you will too.
Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love (warning -often R rated)
Tell The Wolves I’m Home
Hyperbole and a half by Allie Brosh
The Noonday Demon : An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon
For me, it’s the Iron Druid series. But I agree with other comments that it’s going to be personal. I find revisiting known loves is safer and more comforting. A new book might be more helpful but it also might end up being emotionally exhausting when I’m already exhausted. Or trigger memories I’d rather not trigger when already feeling vulnerable. Known loved books is like visiting an old friend, you slip into familiar conversations, you know where they will (or maybe won’t) support you and so you know what to expect.
Also, internet hugs and I hope you are able to get the help you deserve and need to feel good again.
Oh, Janet Evanovich. It’s funny drivel and quick to read.
A Confederacy of Dunces
The Shopholic series by Sophie Kinsella. I have read the first 3 or 4 , and it is a really fun read.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day
Cooking with Fernet Branca; anything by PG Wodehouse.
Nora Roberts. Everything works out in the end.
Me Talk Pretty One Day on audio (+ all of David Sedaris’ books). David reading his stories will have you laughing in minutes. Many of his stories are also inspirational. He has overcome many obstacles. (If you listen to his books make sure they are the unabridged versions)
The Night Circus. The Happiness Project
Try “ The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown, very up-lifting.???
Janet evonovich funny and hell
The Rosie Project, A Man Called Ove & My Grandmother asked me to Tell you she’s sorry
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened
Yes!!!!
Just hope if it’s you who is depressed, you will see a glimmer of happiness. I have been there.???
I suck because I have no good recommendations but sending virtual hugs, love and light anyway ?
Reread favorites. I suggest Harry Potter.
Tiny Beautiful Things.
“Darkness Visible”, by William Styron. It may seem counter-intuitive to read a book about a man’s depression journey when you yourself are depressed, but it really helped me the last time. One, he writes so eloquently about the disease that I kept saying, “Yes! YES!!” to different passages. He put words to things for which I had no words. Two: Styron came head to head with his depression when he was accepting a very prestigious award for his writing. It was a time that he should have been thrilled, but was instead unable to attend some of the activities that were going on to honor him. It drove home for me that depressions is not related to what’s going on sometimes. Sometimes it just IS. I realized that, and stopped beating myself up for not being able to perk myself out of it. Sending you good thoughts. Stay the course, no matter how murky the end of the trail may be. This WILL pass.
The Geography of Bliss: One Grumps Guide to the Happiest Place on Earth.
virtual hugs, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Harold Kushner
I go with murder mysteries, when I’m really depressed listen to them. My go-tos are John Sandford, Michael Connelly and Sara Paretsky. I reread…
My dad had to have a renal artery bypass about 40 years ago. He had to do a lot of Dr. appointments to get everything diagnosed, etc. He took the James Herriot books with him to read as he waited and while he recovered. If you don’t know, these were about a country veterinarian in the North of England. “All Creatures Great and Small,” All Things Wise and Wonderful,” “The Good Lord Made a Them All.”
The stories are warm and endearing. They are funny and crazy. They heal from the inside. I think there are some sad things; sometimes life is sad. But these always make goodness the best and most lovely. If you need an uplifting book, if you want to forget the pain, if you need to see the best part of people, or you love animals, this is a wonderful place to go. Your heart will overflow.
Loved the tv series when I was a kid, I really should read the books
That was wonderful, too.
Rebbe Nachmans Wisdom or Restore my soul by Rebbe Nachman. Those helped me but might not be up your alley. You can find them at Amazon and check the descriptions. I hope you find what you are looking for!
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson.
I checked it out and I ordered Furiously Happy for myself as I was also in need of a happy book. Thank you for the recommendation ?
I found it hilarious but it also increased my stress/anxiety level (might have related a little too well at times…) and was almost relieved when I was done with it. I highly recommend it (because it is hilarious and affirming if you also have some of the issues she has), but based on my own experience of it surprised to see it so frequently recommended as a “feel good” book because for me it was exhausting to go through.
@Crysta ohh I’ll tell you what I thought too. I have no issues as of now. Hopefully I’ll have fun reading it. My instincts say I will. I love the cover too.
yeah it’s definitely a YMMV kind of book, and I did laugh at her stories a lot (and yep, the raccoon is pretty great). She just has a manic energy and some of her anxiety transferred to me so I also found it draining. It might not have helped that I did the audiobook (that she reads herself) so the frenetic pacing of the book directly translated in the audio. I’m betting you will still find it enjoyable 🙂 happy reading!
Thank you. Yes the audio book can do that. That’s why I prefer reading myself. I can go at my emotional pace.
I love Janet Evanovich, she’s funny. When I feel that way too they take me to a new place. I also like Patricia Cornwell Kay Scarpetta series. Not as funny but I love that she’s an Medical Examiner.
Cartoon books
A young boy and his best friend, the Universe. Personal bias towards it, but known to work in such situations. I would also recommend a cup of hot chocolate and wish you feel better soon.
Fannie flagg
Strangely. I find Harry Potter books to help….sigh. I’ve read them alot….?
Harry Potter
Beauty and the beast
I’m coming out of a severe depression that’s lasted over two years. Haven’t been able to read much in over a year. I used to read 2-3 books a week, on the most part.
The concentration is coming back.
But I read Million Little Pieces (80% if it) while in the hospital last year which was amazing and i loved it.
I wish you wonderful things.
@Cynthia, thank you. ?
I really hope you feel better now!?
@Helena, thank you. It’s been a long road but it’s better each day.
It is a long road but at the end there’s a rainbow!
Cloud Street Tim Winton
WE A Manifesto for Women Everywhere by Gillian Anderson (broken into 9 core themes and practical exercises in it and really helpful case studies and compassionate insight. I also find The 7 Ahas of Highly Enlightened Souls by Mike George a really lovely read when depression is present. It’s short, but powerful. Do you have a particular faith or spiritual belief system you follow? Sometimes, I know people refer to their book of faith at times they feel low too.
Louise Hay affirmation books can also be pretty uplifting to remember to focus on the positive perspective at times you feel focused on the grey clouds. Sending hugs. X
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Rising Strong (Brene Brown)
I love the author Marisa de los Santos. She makes simple relationships seem so hopeful and full of love. She has three books surrounding the same characters (read them in order!): 1) Love Walked In 2) Belong to Me and 3) I’ll Be Your Blue Sky. They aren’t romances, per se, but you feel enveloped in love when you read them. I hope you feel like you have that warm hug surrounding you soon ?
Thanks I put the first one on my hold list at the library. I need some books that aren’t tear jerkers.
@Bonnie , if you cry, I promise they will be happy tears ?
My Grandmother Told me to Tell You to she is Sorry
Prozac nation
Wild, Cheryl Strayed (non fiction)
Lost connections
Keep your chin up and feel better.
Maybe Alexander McCall Smith is lovely ?
Good Grief by Lolly Winston
The alchemist
This book made me laugh and helped me to shape some new, healthier paradigms.
Please read “Rising Strong” by Brene Brown, “Option B” by Sheryl Sandberg, “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed, “The Happiness Project”. All these are non fiction and will help you get out of depression. I was going through a tough time in life. They have helped me a lot.
All the best for your lovely journey ahead. We’ll get out of this phase. 🙂
‘What I know for sure’ by Oprah. A short read, but feel good. Helped me through some tough times.
Pair o docs