Through reading fiction, we can gain insight into our own life experiences, explore different perspectives, and gain a better understanding of the world around us. Reading fiction has many benefits, including helping us explore our own emotions. In this blog post, we’re showcasing four fiction books about mental health that are on our reading list. We hope you add them to your reading list as well!
Benefits of Reading Fiction
Before diving into our mental health fiction reads, we want to emphasize the many benefits that reading can have. Reading allows us to:
- Escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life
- Learn more about ourselves and the world
- Provide comfort and solace in difficult times
- Relax and help us focus on the present moment
- Improve our self-esteem and confidence
- Increase problem-solving skills.
- Gain a greater appreciation of different cultures and a better understanding of different points of view
- Improve our memory and can help us to better remember important information
Most importantly, reading can help us to gain a greater understanding of our own emotions, which can help us to better manage them. Put all of these benefits together, and ultimately, reading can help improve your mental health. And if you’re interested in exploring and learning more about mental health in general, then fiction books are a great resource to turn to.
Book 1: All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
All the Bright Places is a young adult novel written by Jennifer Niven and published in 2015. It follows the story of two teens, Finch and Violet, who meet on the ledge of the bell tower at their high school. As they share their interests and struggles, they come to realize that they have more in common than they think.
Through their journey, they discover the power of friendship and how it can help them cope with depression and suicidal thoughts. The novel has received critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of mental health issues and its impact on young people.
Book 2: It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a 2006 novel by Ned Vizzini. It was his first young adult novel and told the story of 16-year-old Craig Gilner, who checks himself into a mental health clinic after suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. While in the clinic, Craig meets other teens dealing with their mental health issues and learns to cope with his feelings.
Upon its release, the novel was met with critical acclaim and later adapted into a 2010 film of the same name. It has become an important part of the conversation around mental health in young people and continues to be a popular read.
Book 3: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library is a novel written by Matt Haig and published in 2020. It tells the story of Nora Seed, a woman who finds herself in a mysterious library between life and death. In the library, she can explore different versions of her life and the choices she could have made. Being in that position allows her to reflect on herself as well as her mental health throughout the choices she’s made in her life. The novel explores themes of regret and hope, and ultimately shows the power of second chances.
Book 4: Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Anxious People is a novel written by Fredrik Backman and published in 2019. It follows the story of a group of strangers who gather together in a bank robbery gone wrong. As the night wears on, the characters open up about their anxieties and fears and soon form a bond. The novel has been praised for its poignant look at mental health issues and the power of human connection.
Learn more about anxiety and how to handle an anxiety attack.
Tap into the benefits of reading fiction and explore your own emotions with themes on mental health. Add these books to your reading list today!
Ready to take the next step and work on your mental health with a customized treatment plan? Connect with us today for support with depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, and more. We can find the perfect treatment for you and your unique needs with our wide range of mental health services. You deserve to feel better!
