Depression can create a lonely island. Even though there are others stranded on similar islands, it can be difficult to see them. Literature can be a bridge connecting these isolated souls. Let’s dive into seven books that perfectly capture the experience of depression.
Table of Contents
- Thirteen Reasons Why
- The Midnight Library
- By The Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead
- The Bell Jar
- Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets
- The Hours
- It’s Kind of a Funny Story
1. “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher
Through a series of audiocassettes, Hannah Baker reveals the thirteen reasons that led her to take her own life. This thrilling story about teenage life, mental health, and the things we do that affect others is sure to keep you up all night and leave you thinking long after you finish reading.
2. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
This bestselling novel follows Nora Seed, a woman overwhelmed by disappointment and despair. Nora finds herself in a mysterious library between life and death, where she can explore all the different lives she could have lived. As Nora travels through different realities, Matt Haig invites us to think about our own lives and the impact of our decisions. This book is a mix of fantasy and deep questions about regret, happiness, and the meaning of life.
3. “By The Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead” by Julie Anne Peters
The novel follows Daelyn, a 15-year-old who feels like a failure after multiple suicide attempts. Determined that her next attempt will succeed, she joins an online site for those who have decided to end their lives.
Julie Anne Peters, a National Book Award finalist, tackles this difficult subject with honesty and kindness, giving readers a clear picture of mental illness and the limits of parental help.
4. “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath
This semi-autobiographical novel, reflecting Sylvia Plath’s own experiences with depression, explores mental illness and the pressures of society. Esther Greenwood is a brilliant but troubled young woman who’s struggling with depression and figuring out who she is. Sylvia Plath’s writing is so vivid that you’ll feel like you’re inside Esther’s head, experiencing her pain and confusion.
5. “Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets” by Evan Roskos
James is struggling with depression, anxiety, and family problems. Even though it’s a tough subject, Evan Roskos keeps the book lighthearted with James’s crazy ideas and funny jokes. Recognized as a Morris Award Honor Book, this novel is honest and relatable, and it gives young readers a chance to see themselves in James’s story.
6. “The Hours” by Michael Cunningham
This Pulitzer Prize winner connects three women’s lives across different time periods, all inspired by Virginia Woolf’s novel “Mrs. Dalloway”. The novel is about mental health and finding meaning in everyday life. Through its clever storytelling and poetic language, the novel examines the moments that shape our lives – both the big and small.
7. “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” by Ned Vizzini
Craig is a high-achiever, but when he starts at a new school, he feels overwhelmed and lost. As things get worse, he decides to check himself into a mental hospital. There, Craig meets a bunch of quirky people and starts to face his fears and find hope again.
Ned Vizzini, who knows what it’s like to be in a psychiatric ward, writes a story that’s both serious and funny. It’s a relatable exploration of the struggles of mental health and the surprising ways people can heal.
