When anxiety and depression creep in, I tend to isolate myself from friends and loved ones. Here are some of the books that kept me company during those dark and depressing days. There are more books that helped me survive the vicious cycle I was stuck in but what I’m going to share today are books that have a mental theme which really spoke to my soul.

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

by: Flexi Aquilla

When everything goes wrong,
And you want to give up,
Always remember,
It’s okay to not be okay.

When nothing goes right,
And nothing feels right,
Always remember,
It’s okay to not be okay.

When anxiety strikes,
And depression creeps in,
Always remember,
It’s okay to not be okay.

Every once in a while,
You may stumble and fall,
Always remember,
It’s okay to not be okay.

1. It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Ambitious New York City teenager Craig Gilner is determined to succeed at life – which means getting into the right high school to get into the right job. But once Craig aces his way into Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School, the pressure becomes unbearable. He stops eating and sleeping until, one night, he nearly kills himself.

Craig’s suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.

Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, has created a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness.

2. All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

3. Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.

Every once in a while, anxiety and depression might creep in, but always remember, it’s okay to not be okay. Life is unfair, just get used to it. 

Happy reading! 📚☺📖

Love,

Flexi ❤