Hello all. Big delicate ask. 

My darling friend (F49), who is a non-reader, just lost her youngest daughter (16) and it was extremely traumatic. Four weeks later, at a yoga class, she witnessed the woman right in front of her, snap her ankle and bone puncture through the skin. Four days later, her mum was taken into hospital with a broken shoulder. The next day, her mum died unexpectedly. She’s wrapped up in devastation and overwhelm. She’s coming to stay with me for a whole month and switching off her phone. I’m thinking of everything I can do to create the most healing, healthy environment. I suggested she get a kindle paperwhite for Christmas, and then, when she’s with me, she can read books, as opposed to going on her phone.

Please can you think of books that are EASY to read (imperative - I'm hoping she gets a sense of achievement from finishing a book). Nothing preachy. Nothing… sad? (I think she’s probably got that box ticked). Just something that may help her escape? Warm her? Give her a sense of hope? Help her learn something she might value learning. 

Her emotional EQ is off the charts high. She’s always been a really social, fun person who brings everyone together. She lights up the room without trying. She’s funny and generous, forgiving. 

Please, give me your best suggestions so I can load up her kindle, tuck her up and let her heal…well, as heal much as is possible.

Any thoughts, books, advice, welcomed. And thank you. This could make a real difference.

EDIT:  I can’t thank you all enough times. This is such a great list and I cried at some of your amazing comments. I actually felt the love. Thanks, Redditors!

I’ve gone through and read each of your comments and noted down all of them. I’ll be building up ebooks ready for her, and I’ve also taken on some of your other really great suggestions; weighted blanket, don’t force her, build a ‘Guide for her, e.g. I want a silly beach read, I want to read about someone who has gone through something similar, I want a cosy mystery, I want a fantasy and total escapism, etc. All really good and useful ideas which I will implement.

Just in case anyone else has a similar question, I’ve consolidated all the comments for ease of reference.

Complete book list

Highest verified upvotes first

1. It's OK That You're Not OK by Megan Devine — 265 upvotes reported in our earlier extraction
2. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune — 25 upvotes
3. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery — 20 upvotes
4. Small Gods by Terry Pratchett
5. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
6. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
7. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
8. A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
9. The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain
10. Kingmaker by Sonia Purnell
11. A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
12. What You Are Looking for Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
13. Shady Hollow by Juneau Black
14. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher
15. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
16. Tepper Isn't Going Out by Calvin Trillin
17. The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao
18. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
19. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
20. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
21. Bearing the Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore
22. Actress of a Certain Age by Jeff Hiller
23. Be Here Now by Ram Dass
24. The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers
25. The House in the Cerulean Sea sequel — author TJ Klune
26. A Summer at Sea by Katie Fforde
27. A Springtime Affair by Katie Fforde
28. Recipe for Love by Katie Fforde
29. A Rose Petal Summer by Katie Fforde
30. Summer of Love by Katie Fforde
31. Hitman Anders and the Meaning of It All by Jonas Jonasson
32. Sweet Sweet Revenge Ltd. by Jonas Jonasson
33. The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun
34. The Alanna series by Tamora Pierce
35. The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke
36. The Moomin books by Tove Jansson
37. Home Front Sleuths series — author not verified
38. Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
39. The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao
40. Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
41. Starfish by Lisa Fipps
42. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
43. The Emma M. Lion series by Beth Brower
44. A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
45. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
46. Books by Kristin Hannah — various titles
47. Books by David Sedaris — various titles
48. Books by Katie Fforde — various titles
49. Books by Leonie Swann — various titles
50. Books by Alexander McCall Smith — various titles
51. Books by James Herriot — various titles
52. Books by Tessa Bailey — various titles
53. Books by Rebecca Armitage — various titles
54. How to Carry What Can't Be Fixed — author not verified
55. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
56. Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley
57. Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved by Kate Bowler

Other things recommended

These aren't books, but they were suggested as potentially comforting alternatives or activities:

• Audiobooks
• Adult colouring books and quality colouring pencils or markers, colour-by-numbers
• Zentangle
• Jigsaw puzzles
• Crossword puzzles and word searches
• Diamond art - I just learned about that!
• Crochet kits, Cross-stitch and embroidery, Knitting
• Drawing and painting
• Music, including calming or unfamiliar composers
• Walking, including walks in parks
• Playing with or walking a dog - she has a beautiful dog at home :)
• Tetris ***  Thank you for the comment about this helping trauma!
• Simple card games
• Cooking together
• Scenic drives
• Gentle outings to libraries - I actually don’t have bookshops or libraries on my island :( hence the kindle
• Baths, naps and weighted blankets
• Comfortable food and protein drinks
• Watching films or television together

Once again, Reddit - THANK YOU!  You are all wonderful people in this thread. I really will take on board all you’ve said.

I want a book which accurately depicts someone being driven to insanity. I'm aware that many such stories books have been written like this (the first that comes to mind is The Yellow Wallpaper, which I plan on reading soon) but I want to ask for any lesser known or exceptionally well written books which depict a character's distraught mental state.

Also, if there are non fiction or real life examples of things written by people who are 'going insane', I'd be interested to know about them.

This is mostly because I want to try and write in a style similar to this without coming off as completely insensitive.

My parents are very strict when it comes to what I can and can’t read so I’m really struggling to find something that I will be able to read and also enjoy. Their rules are no lgbtq+ characters, themes, etc, no excessive violence, and no excessive sexual scenes. My favourite genres fantasy and fiction, but I’ve also been enjoying some literary fiction recently. Recently I’ve enjoyed Song of Achilles, Sunrise on the Reaping, and The Only One Left. I will add that all those books have stuff my parents wouldn’t approve of, and I or my friends have bought them for me. Their main rule they really have a problem with is anything lgbtq+

Edit: Since people are asking, I’m 17. So I’ll be out of the house soon when I go to college. Also any book that comes into the house (by their knowledge) is extensively researched. They don’t just look at the cover of a book and judge, they’ll spend 15 minutes researching everything about a book. Thank you for all the suggestions so far! I’ve also seen suggestions to make use of libraries near me. The state I’m in also makes a parent sign for what you can check out at a library (ya, adult, etc), so they just haven’t signed any paperwork saying what I can/can’t check out, so I’m not allowed to check anything out.

I want a book that is among the best you've ever read, just 10/10 plot, characters, themes, symbols, and message, but also something that REALLY fucked you up. For the movie nerds out there, I'm talking something similar to Requiem for A Dream, Happiness, or Irreversible. I have no triggers, so y'all have the freedom to recommend me whatever depraved stuff you want, just make sure it has a very good reason for being as depraved as it is. Thank you so much in advance!

I'm talking about something that either really grossed you out or surprised you. Can be a graphic/detailed work, and can also be from any genre, as long as it evoked a reaction of "Wow, that was dark."

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for books with no mention of pregnancies, babies or baby loss, kids death or fertility struggles.

Can be romance, fantasy, thriller, mystery or anything really.

Thank you!

I am interested in any fiction genre. I don't want non-fiction and i'm not looking for any self help type book. What I am envisioning is a novel where the protagonist confronts this reality or such!

Books that disturbed you, made you say wtf out loud, made you gag etc. I haven't read any books that have impacted me in those ways in a while. I've read lolita, fight club, tender is the flesh, we need to talk about kevin, the rape of nanking, american psycho, 120 days of sodom, johnny got his gun, I have no mouth and I must scream, perfume: the story of a murderer, requiem for a dream, the road, blood meridian, the wasp factory, a clockwork orange and night.

Hi everyone, I work in an emergency room in the US and we frequently get patients for psychiatric reasons. They sometimes have to stay with us for a few days while we find placement in an appropriate unit. We have to take their belongings for safety reasons, they stay in hallway chairs the entire time, it’s a sensory nightmare, and it’s BORING.
I’m looking for book recs I can bring to work to hopefully make it less boring and unpleasant. The books would preferably be brain candy/not require a ton of mental effort, and shouldn’t have dark themes because I don’t want to cause any ✨additional depression✨
It’d also be nice if they were universal appeal type books, like books that most people would enjoy. My only idea so far is The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen.
If anyone has any ideas I’d love to hear them! Thank you!

Hey guys, I'm heading to the bookstore tomorrow so thought I'd ask for some suggestions.

I'm looking for a book that centers on the theme of loneliness - mostly with a lack of people around, physically being isolated, or simply not having many people to connect with. Maybe a book that will help me feel comfortable with feeling lonely, but not a huge requirement.

Preferably a female main character. I don't mind slight romance but I don't want it to be the main focus of the story. I'm happy with any genre, but I do enjoy mystery, horror and thriller.

Edit: Thank you for all the suggestions! I'm reading all the comments and making a list to check out shortly!

I'm looking for a book where the MMC is fighting for his LIFE against his attraction to the FMC.

Like, extremely strong, sensual urges and he's hanging onto his last mental thread, just waiting for her to give him the slightest indication that she wants him too.

BONUS if she's going through the exact same thing. Basically, they're both in heat and trying desperately not to do anything about it. 😂

I need intense yearning, ridiculous sexual tension, and foreplay that borders on insanity. Even better if they're both extremely witty, constantly flirting, and weaponize sarcasm against each other.

Throne of the Fallen has the kind of energy I'm looking for. I need two people who are one sarcastic comment and prolonged eye contact away from losing their damn minds.

When I lost my mom at 13 I used fantasy and romance books to escape and I never looked back. I normally read 70-100 books a year, many 2 stars (in a good way). In January, at 31 I’ve lost a friend to mental illness. I’ve only been able to read one book since then.

One. Book. Since. January.

I think my brain is telling me to stop trying to escape and look it directly in the eye soooo I’m asking for recs that deal in grief. I hate self help - I can’t do the edited down snark and “humor”.

It can be nonfiction. It can be funny. it can take place in space. it can be about two hamsters who fall in love. it can be straight up sad. All recs welcome.

Thanks ❤️

I am looking for non fiction books about historical atrocities. I dont know if there are any that cover like, multiple, but im looking for that or deep dives on one atrocity like the rape of nanking.

The more disturbing, the better. I don't mind abuse, body horror or anything of that sort. I'm a beginner reader and i don't have the patience to read super long novels yet tbh. Anything i can finish in a few hours would be really good. Thanksssss

I’m writing a research paper comparing post 9/11 pop culture and the zombies/apocalyptic content.

I’ve read The Stand. The Road. World War Z. Station Eleven. Blindness.

I’m looking more for obscure works that might not turn up in my research. I’ll definitely be checking reviews, so if you didn’t think they were solid reads, please don’t recommend them. The more modern the better (no Pride and Prejudice and Zombies). Comedic books are fine, but not really what I’m after. No comics, manga or graphic novels, I’m just not interested.

Preferably about mental illness, death/suicide, or child abuse. A memoir is also acceptable. I am so burnt out on everything else. Fantasy, sci-fi, and romance are a no go for me…

TW: loss of parent, death.

Looking for a fiction read, no self help or anything. Would love a book about a father daughter complicated relationship after the father’s death. Would love for it to not resolve in the daughter finding redeeming qualities and figuring out how to love him after death.

I don’t really know what to do or how to feel right now.

Hello,
Have read quite a lot of antiracist books, social justice themes, and generally books with race and civil rights as a key theme by Black authors.

I’ve read a lot of heavy stuff recently and I’d like to try some fiction that covers different themes around Black experience, particularly Black joy and love etc (not to say that there can’t be any mention of racism in there, appreciate that’s a big ask)

Any good suggestions out there?

Open to non-fiction and other suggestions by Global Majority authors too!

My (22F) brother (24M) committed suicide on Jan 1st. We were incredibly close and he was the most intelligent, bright person I've ever met. He was my best friend. This is the most pain I have ever felt.

I appreciate if any of you could suggest a fiction book in which a person has to deal with the grief of the suicide of a sibling. I want to read a story I can relate to.

Thanks in advance.

As stated above, I am looking for some dark fantasy books. I would prefer some "newer" books from 2000 and onward but if you know of some really good ones they can be older. Thank you for your recommendations.

Can you suggest me some books that were aimed at girls that are classic, or popular, that were written, either before the 20s or after the 20s, but not new enough to be considered "modern", that are appropriate? I find myself turned off by many classic books from the past because often they are full of stories about or featuring adults who are romantically interested in teenagers, and even rarer, girls or boys under the 13, so like KID KIDS, who are portrayed as heroes, or sometimes not heroes but still get laughed off and glossed over like it's a joke.

Even children's books sometimes have these freaks (see Anne of Green Gables and the creepy teacher who grooms Prissy, Rilla kissing her 20 year old boyfriend before he goes to war, or the entirety of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm which is about a 35 year old who grooms and takes advantage of a teenage girl he met when she was like 10 and was instantly into her, and he took advantage of her own "schoolgirl crush" on him to charm her into dating him).

So, if you know any classic books that don't feature these or at least don't tell the readers that adults who like kids are good people, please tell me.

There are some I already know like Alice in Wonderland, The Secret Garden, etc that are appropriate and don't feature these scenarios.

I really want to read more erotic litfic!! Im getting more into Anaïs Nin, and I'm currently reading The Bloody Chamber but I'd like some more recs! I really like the movie Secretary (2002) if that helps, and I'm considering watching and reading The Piano Teacher.

hi so! i’m a senior in high school, and every senior has to do something called a capstone (basically a college thesis but on a slightly smaller scale). our topics go out soon and the topic i have chosen is how mental health is portrayed in literature written by women. as a girl who lives with depression and wants to be an author, it’s a perfect blend of some topics very close to my heart.

i’m posting here to ask for some books i could draw from. i’ve already decided on the yellow wallpaper, the bell jar, and girl interrupted, but i’d like to find at least a few more books. i would like books that deal with a variety of mental health struggles, not just depression, as i want to analyze how a variety of mental illnesses are portrayed. obviously they need to not be too crazy or controversial, as i am using them for a school project. fiction or nonfiction is accepted.

ETA: just to clarify the title is absolutely terrible. I agree with you all. No, this is not how I refer to MH in real life.

I tried a number of different titles and they kept getting flagged. This one was the only one that didn’t get flagged.

Would love any recs if you have them. TIA!

Hello everyone!

The fall semester is upon us and I’m putting the finishing touches on my syllabi. I would like to use an array of media to further support student learning. 

Please share with me your book recommendations that have depictions of mental health experiences such as:

Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Conditions that begin in early childhood, affecting brain function, learning, and social skills (Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD).
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders: Conditions featuring delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.
Bipolar and Related Disorders: Mood shifts between high energy (mania) and low energy (depression).
Depressive Disorders: Persistent sadness, low energy, and loss of interest in life. 
Anxiety Disorders: Excessive, ongoing fear and worry that disrupts daily routines. 
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: Unwanted repetitive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. 
Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders: Emotional and behavioral distress following a traumatic or stressful event. 
Dissociative Disorders: Disconnection or disruption in memory, identity, or awareness.
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders: Physical symptoms causing distress without a clear medical cause.
Feeding and Eating Disorders: Extreme disturbances in eating habits and body image.
Sleep-Wake Disorders: Major problems with sleep quality or timing. 
Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders: Problems with self-control over emotions and behaviors. 
Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: Problematic use of alcohol, drugs, or other addictive behaviors like gambling. 
Neurocognitive Disorders: Acquired declines in brain function, such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Personality Disorders: Enduring, rigid patterns of thinking and behaving, divided into three clusters:

Cluster A: Odd or eccentric behaviors (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal).

Cluster B: Dramatic, emotional, or erratic behaviors (antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic).

Cluster C: Anxious or fearful behaviors (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive).

Also looking for depictions of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders like postpartum psychosis, suicidal behavior, self-harm, body-repetitive focused behavior.

Thank you so much! 

i enjoy almost every aspect about a song of ice and fire — the political intrigue, the battles, family feuds, mysterious magical system, a large cast of characters — but i feel like george r.r. martin makes it a point too often to make the women and girls go through violence or abuse. i especially don't like it because the girls going through this stuff are so young. i dnf a clash of kings so i'm searching for something else to read.