My Personal Favorites

This has to be at the top of the list. I liked it so much that after reading the paperback a few times I still bought the digital copy! I listen to it it periodically. The author, Elizabeth Gilbert, is funny, articulate, and is able to offer really simple solutions without coming off as condescending. Not always an easy feat when writing self-help books. She reminds the reader, whether they are into any creative outlet or none, that life is yours to live. She reminds the reader that there will always be good and bad in life, and how to embrace both with courage.

I don’t buy hardcovers often. I usually read books so fast and don’t often find ones I want to read over and over. This is one exception I am so happy to have made. It’s a book for those who suffer directly from depressions and anxiety, but it’s also great for those that care about them. In the most simplistic terms – It’s like a picture book that offers hope. It gives great information and reminds the reader that every step is a celebration and how each little victory propels us towards healing. Sometimes that’s really what we need to hear and be reminded of.

I’ve read my share of books by professionals in the mental health field. I’ll even share a few with you. But, I am fascinated by reading other’s people’s personal journeys. On the Edge is the kind of book you suddenly notice that while you’re reading the words a smile has been planted on your face. Alternatively, Petersen’s story is also one that has the ability to bring a lump to your throat and water to your eyes. It all depends on which page you’re reading. It may focus more on anxiety than depression, but the two are so closely linked and this book can be a wonderful resource for people who suffer from either or both!

This is one I was a little hesitant to share. Its author uses the Bible consistently throughout the pages as reference and comfort. I know some don’t want to deal with religion in their journey to wellness. It can be a touchy subject, religion. But, I found this book helpful in many ways. Quoting scripture didn’t bring me comfort, but neither did it derail the true message of the book. Healing is possible, hope is worth holding, and we are absolutely not the only people with mental health issues functioning in society today.

I have only read this book once. I’m not sure exactly how I feel about everything the author chronicles, But I know I will be reading it again. Part memoir, part expose, Hari debunks a lot of what we have been taught about the science-side of mental health issues. A sufferer himself, he is talented, stubborn, and seems to genuinely care about helping as many people as possible by sharing his experiences and his hard-won facts. I feel this one is worth reading a few times.

Another one I got the digital version for. And, another one that will truly make you smile and want to cry over and over again until the very end. Kinsman is funny, really funny. Mental Health issues are not easy to talk about, and they are not easy to write about. Especially, with such intimate prose. But, she pulls it off and along the way she allows comfort and knowledge to flow freely from her words.

This is another I struggled with sharing. It is not directly a book designed for those with depression or anxiety. On top of that, it talks openly about sexual abuse, an even tougher topic to hear and read about, for many, than depression or anxiety. But, for those brave enough to deal with this added issue, the book is full of helpful techniques that are easy to apply to everyday life. This is book, first written over 20 years ago, is updated frequently. But it’s core theme – helping real people deal with real situations and issues, remain steadfast. it’s not just a book by experts, it is filled with personal stories, journeys, and so much more by those with struggles. I will never tired of reading and rereading this one!

I have a sassy and sarcastic side. This book feeds this side of me and is a great source of comfort at the same time. This illustrated version is simply cool. Revolving around the self-help Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, it is simple to implement into any lifestyle. I may not agree with everything the author writes, but I agree with enough and see the promise and potential in most of the work.

This is a new-found favorite of mine. For such a scholarly author to put out a book packed with tons of current data and not bore me to death is an accomplishment in itself. But, Kolk actually had me understanding so much more than I thought I would when this book was first recommended to me. (Big Magic – above- was recommended for months before I finally gave that a shot. Now, it is a staple in my life. So, I don’t let recommendations pass me by too often anymore) But, I told myself to give it a shot. I’m so glad I did! I could write a whole post just about how this book is a life changer. In the most simplistic terms, this book works for everyone because the author acknowledges that trauma is retained(not necessarily a single event, nor even a type of trauma – physical or mental)by the body. Like the air we breathe, the medications we take, our history – they are all part of our bodies history. As such, our body reacts to the traumas it has experienced. Then, there’s a lot of info on how to move forward, overcome our problems, how to step into happiness.

While Reading These May Not Offer A Cure – They Are The Best Place To Begin Understanding

Okay, so those are the books I love and find helpful, easy to relate to, actionable, and sometimes fun too. I hope you find one or two that you find interesting. I have many more on my list, but this is a good start.