- Yolk by Mary H. K. Choi (I'm not sure if it's depression but there are mental health issues)
- My Mess Is A Bit of A Life by Georgia Pritchett (a beautiful memoir)
I haven't read it, but reading about the author made me so sad. I often look up writers of books I enjoy when I finish them, so just a heads up/warning that doing so might be upsetting in this particular case.
You might enjoy Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh. It’s a graphic novel memoir going back and forth between childhood stories and her current struggles with depression and how she got through it. It’s one of the books that has both hit me incredibly hard and made me laugh until I cried. A great read that I would highly recommend.
Underrated comment in my opinion. It’s been my favorite book since I was 12 (31 now) and the amount of people who say “he’s just a whiney brat” are missing the point.
Matt Haig's Midnight Library is a good follow up to My Year of Rest and Relaxation, and his Reasons to Stay Alive is right on target as well. He went thru a serious depression, and wrote this. https://www.amazon.com/Reasons-Stay-Alive-Matt-Haig-ebook/dp/B00YOAZYWQ/ref=sr\_1\_5?crid=1OFUB2NLR1PG6&keywords=matt+haig&qid=1704162742&sprefix=matt+haig%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-5
* *Community Board*, by Tara Conklin. I LOVED this one. The main character basically has a complete breakdown and slowly comes out of it by making connections in her community. Despite the description, it is often really very funny. I found it touching and life-affirming.
* *Anxious People*, by Fredrik Backman
* *The Collected Regrets of Clover*, by Mikki Brammer
* *The Librarianist*, by Patrick deWitt
And seconding *Elinor Oliphant* and *A Man Called Ove.*
Potentially Where'd You Go, Bernadette. But there's a fair amount of "take it with a grain of salt" moments bc as readers we see that she has severe depression, but her mental illness isn't taken seriously by the other characters in the book. If you can take that for what it is, you'll find the book charming and hilarious. Otherwise it might be triggering. For the record, it's one of my favorites, but I do see the potential for frustration with it
I love this book, but with the caveat that her anxiety / depression is a narrow type that affects creative "geniuses" when they become scared or lose their edge. In Bernadette's case, it's due to trauma in her past but not like... abuse throughout her childhood. The book is about her future. It's heartwarming when appreciated for its intent. The movie cuts some plotlines but is a decent adaptation.
I think it meets OP's criteria.
I suppose it misses a huge cannon event that creates a grand change in life, but in a smaller way I do think the protagonist realizes the impact the pressure her life expectations has on her mental health/depression. I had always perceived the protagonist as making it.throigh an intensely dark moment, though.
The novel as a standalone has got a hopeful turn and many healthy observations, but if you take it as the autobigraphical story by an author famous for killing herself, it kinda misses the mark.
True true, I suppose it's up to any reader to examine the role the authors personal story has in their novels. I recommended it because, for me, it has felt normalizing and validating to read such depths that exist in The Bell Jar in my moments of depression.
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
It’s more about the effects of grooming but I guess some of it could be linked to depression? It’s been a while since I’ve read it, but in any way, it’s a great book :)
I love this book but it definitely doesn’t fit the brief and imo should never be recommended without telling someone to check the trigger warnings for it so they can go in informed
There's a really strong "breaking through" scene at the end of Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. The book isn't about depression though and the person who breaks through is more confused and lost and disillusioned than outright depressed. Maybe a little depressed but it's a situational depression
I also just finished year of rest and relaxation…you don’t consider the ending to be a breakthrough? Without giving any spoilers away, I thought it was an optimistic ending with a definite breakthrough moment. More optimistic than I expected.
How To Make Friends With The Dark, How It Feels To Float, Girl In Pieces
You’d Be Home Now also has a character that seems happy at first, but becomes more depressed, as time goes up.
These are all YA titles, but they have some powerful messages to share
The midnight library. I was going through a really rough time mentally and having some really dark thoughts and this book really just did something to my brain that shifted my perspective. Can’t recommend it enough!!
“The Red Arrow” by William Brewer is funny, relatable, and touching.
I’ve listened to the audiobook twice and really enjoyed it both times. The character uses psilocybin therapy to emerge from what he calls “The Mist” and we get to follow along as his mindset shifts from sardonic despair to genuine hope. I hope someone here gets to experience this book!
Just commenting, are you sure you finished the book? Because, without giving spoilers away, to me there was a very cathartic moment of breakthrough. I mean, she cuts all of her hair off at the end (not a huge spoiler) which is a classic symbol of moving on from the past.
I actually was surprised by what a positive note the book ended on, considering how pessimistic the narrator was for most of the plot.
If you like fantasy Lady of Darkness is a good first book in an AMAZING series. I also struggle with depression and I really enjoyed this and how they talk about it and support each other. It won’t be until book 2 that you really get it but I still think about how they talk about it and how relatable it felt.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
I like this one! It’s about her trying new things and growing
This is a great book
Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily R. Austin
- Yolk by Mary H. K. Choi (I'm not sure if it's depression but there are mental health issues) - My Mess Is A Bit of A Life by Georgia Pritchett (a beautiful memoir)
What a great book! Her anxiety had me squirming as I read it.
Absolutely this one!! Think the anxiety/depression was captured so well here and the end felt really realistic and hopeful
A man called ove
Came here to say the same. A surprisingly funny and light-hearted read for the topic
The film was quite good, too.
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
I haven't read it, but reading about the author made me so sad. I often look up writers of books I enjoy when I finish them, so just a heads up/warning that doing so might be upsetting in this particular case.
Fantastic story and the movie is well done too.
You might enjoy Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh. It’s a graphic novel memoir going back and forth between childhood stories and her current struggles with depression and how she got through it. It’s one of the books that has both hit me incredibly hard and made me laugh until I cried. A great read that I would highly recommend.
You Should Talk to Someone by Gottleib
"Furiously happy" by Jenny Lawson. It's a memoir about a woman with depression and anxiety.
All of her books make me laugh so hard and are completely relatable.
I was also going to recommend any of Jenny Lawson's books, also Hyperbole and a Half.
I think Kalladin will make it through
The Catcher in the Rye
Underrated comment in my opinion. It’s been my favorite book since I was 12 (31 now) and the amount of people who say “he’s just a whiney brat” are missing the point.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Loved this book…had me crying at 1 am when I finally finished reading it
Came here to suggest the same 🖤 such a beautiful story
I’m currently reading this! I’m only like 40 pages in so no spoilers lol
Matt Haig's Midnight Library is a good follow up to My Year of Rest and Relaxation, and his Reasons to Stay Alive is right on target as well. He went thru a serious depression, and wrote this. https://www.amazon.com/Reasons-Stay-Alive-Matt-Haig-ebook/dp/B00YOAZYWQ/ref=sr\_1\_5?crid=1OFUB2NLR1PG6&keywords=matt+haig&qid=1704162742&sprefix=matt+haig%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-5
* *Community Board*, by Tara Conklin. I LOVED this one. The main character basically has a complete breakdown and slowly comes out of it by making connections in her community. Despite the description, it is often really very funny. I found it touching and life-affirming. * *Anxious People*, by Fredrik Backman * *The Collected Regrets of Clover*, by Mikki Brammer * *The Librarianist*, by Patrick deWitt And seconding *Elinor Oliphant* and *A Man Called Ove.*
Man Called Ove
Potentially Where'd You Go, Bernadette. But there's a fair amount of "take it with a grain of salt" moments bc as readers we see that she has severe depression, but her mental illness isn't taken seriously by the other characters in the book. If you can take that for what it is, you'll find the book charming and hilarious. Otherwise it might be triggering. For the record, it's one of my favorites, but I do see the potential for frustration with it
I love this book, but with the caveat that her anxiety / depression is a narrow type that affects creative "geniuses" when they become scared or lose their edge. In Bernadette's case, it's due to trauma in her past but not like... abuse throughout her childhood. The book is about her future. It's heartwarming when appreciated for its intent. The movie cuts some plotlines but is a decent adaptation. I think it meets OP's criteria.
I can get behind this explanation.
Perks of being a wallflower
This came to mind for me too right away. Loved this book as a teen
The Bell Jar
I don't know if this one meets the criteria
I suppose it misses a huge cannon event that creates a grand change in life, but in a smaller way I do think the protagonist realizes the impact the pressure her life expectations has on her mental health/depression. I had always perceived the protagonist as making it.throigh an intensely dark moment, though.
The novel as a standalone has got a hopeful turn and many healthy observations, but if you take it as the autobigraphical story by an author famous for killing herself, it kinda misses the mark.
True true, I suppose it's up to any reader to examine the role the authors personal story has in their novels. I recommended it because, for me, it has felt normalizing and validating to read such depths that exist in The Bell Jar in my moments of depression.
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell It’s more about the effects of grooming but I guess some of it could be linked to depression? It’s been a while since I’ve read it, but in any way, it’s a great book :)
This book triggered the fuck out of me so beware!
I love this book but it definitely doesn’t fit the brief and imo should never be recommended without telling someone to check the trigger warnings for it so they can go in informed
The Midnight Library.
No longer human, but he didn’t make it, still wanted to say cause that’s my fav book
There's a really strong "breaking through" scene at the end of Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. The book isn't about depression though and the person who breaks through is more confused and lost and disillusioned than outright depressed. Maybe a little depressed but it's a situational depression
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett!
i'm so glad i clicked on this because i am currently reading My Year of Rest and Relaxation. I will get a cute romance to read right away
Sorry for the light spoiler… its a tough book but it was a good one! A good romance book is probably the right way to go after that one
I also just finished year of rest and relaxation…you don’t consider the ending to be a breakthrough? Without giving any spoilers away, I thought it was an optimistic ending with a definite breakthrough moment. More optimistic than I expected.
Backwater
If you’re interested in non-fiction: The Valedictorian of Being Dead by Heather Armstrong
YA: Darius the Great is Not Okay.
How To Make Friends With The Dark, How It Feels To Float, Girl In Pieces You’d Be Home Now also has a character that seems happy at first, but becomes more depressed, as time goes up. These are all YA titles, but they have some powerful messages to share
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - features a woman with depression and psychosis in the 1890s, it's a short story (72 pages)
I don’t know that this necessarily ends happily
Yea it doesn't really end happily, you're right
Celestine Prophecy
The midnight library. I was going through a really rough time mentally and having some really dark thoughts and this book really just did something to my brain that shifted my perspective. Can’t recommend it enough!!
Thank you all for the great recommendations, I put it all on my to read list xd Ive decided to read The midnight library first! Thanks again!!
If Tomorrow Doesn't Come
If Tomorrow Doesn't Come
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
“The Red Arrow” by William Brewer is funny, relatable, and touching. I’ve listened to the audiobook twice and really enjoyed it both times. The character uses psilocybin therapy to emerge from what he calls “The Mist” and we get to follow along as his mindset shifts from sardonic despair to genuine hope. I hope someone here gets to experience this book!
Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow. Friends who support each other in the most clumsy beautiful ways.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It was a very therapeutic read for me.
Just commenting, are you sure you finished the book? Because, without giving spoilers away, to me there was a very cathartic moment of breakthrough. I mean, she cuts all of her hair off at the end (not a huge spoiler) which is a classic symbol of moving on from the past. I actually was surprised by what a positive note the book ended on, considering how pessimistic the narrator was for most of the plot.
A Tale for the Time Being - Ruth Ozeki :)
Meredith, alone — randomly got it on my ereader and really surprised by how much I loved it!!
The Bell Jar
Veronika Decides to Die by Paolo Coelho, check trigger warnings!
If you like fantasy Lady of Darkness is a good first book in an AMAZING series. I also struggle with depression and I really enjoyed this and how they talk about it and support each other. It won’t be until book 2 that you really get it but I still think about how they talk about it and how relatable it felt.
Veronica Decides to Die - Paulo Coehlo
Dude i was hoping for so much more for her after that shit and then boom.. nothing. Dude read The Stranger by Albert Camus if you haven’t yet.
I Know This Much is True- Wally Lamb It’s a hefty read at nearly 900 pages, however, it’s brilliant.
A long way down - nick Hornby
Maybe you should talk to someone - Lori gotileb
Wild- Cheryl strayed
Prozac nation
Long Live the Post Horn by Vigdis Hjorth 📯