What’s on my mental health reading list?

I absolutely love reading self-help books. Any book with advice or guidance about how to live your best life, is a book I want to read. Previously I have recommended Matt Haig’s Notes on a Nervous Planet and Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. These are two fantastic books which teach you completely different things but they are both written like the author is your best mate, who has got your back and wants to give you advice.

I have five more books on my mental health reading list that I think you may also be interested in reading. I actually can’t wait to read them myself, I just often find that live can be very busy, so sitting down with a book is a rare luxury for me! But I am going to make the time for these books because I’m excited to soak up these author’s knowledge.

Just to let you know this content contains affiliate links. When you click on a link and buy a product I get a small commission to help me keep this blog running. I never link to anything that I don’t think is perfect for you and that I wouldn’t recommend even if I wasn’t getting paid.

Happy by Derren Brown

You know Derren Brown, that illusionist from the tele that boggles your mind with his magic? Well he also writes books – and bloody good ones at that. So admittedly (you can probably tell from the cover of this book) I have already read a few chapters of this book – but I haven’t yet finished it so therefore it is still on my reading list.

It is truly thought provoking and interesting to read, but it does require 100% attention, for you to understand exactly what he means. I wouldn’t class this book as an easy read, but I did find that it follows a similar philosophy to that of Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck.

This book explores the concept of happiness, and what it means. It is also recommended by Stephen Fry who said: “Crammed with wisdom and insight . . . I’m going to recommend it to everyone I know”. So if Stephen Fry says it’s good it must be!

You can buy Happy on Amazon from £4.99.

The Recovery Letters Edited by James Withey and Olivia Sagan

I think out of all the books on my reading list, this is the one I’m most excited about reading. If you don’t already know, I have a letter exchange section on my blog, because I believe there’s something powerful in writing letters of hope to people that are going through a difficult time in their lives. You can read more about my letter exchange here.

When I saw The Recovery Letters on Amazon I bought it instantly. The only reason I haven’t started reading this book yet is because I have a bad habit of excitedly reading the start of books and then putting them down because I want to read something else as well. So I have two other books to finish first and then this one is next in line! Please tell me some of you also have this habit?

This book is written by people who were recovering from depression addressed to people who are currently going through the same thing.
“The inspirational and heartfelt letters provided hope and support to those experiencing depression and were testament that recovery was possible”.

I think this is a beautiful idea and one I didn’t even know existed when I began my letter exchange.

You can buy this book on Amazon here.

13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do by Amy Morin

My mum bought me this book from a bookshop in Atlanta, when she visited for work. I’m instantly intrigued by this book because I feel like when I read this book I’ll be empowered and full of wisdom.

It is described as a ‘revolutionary book’ because ‘we learn to identify the 13 common habits that hold us back in life, and how to avoid them. ‘ YES PLEASE!

This book’s starting price is £5.99 if you have a Kindle or you can buy it off Amazon for £8.66.

Depression in the Digital Age by Fiona Thomas

I discovered this book from Twitter. A fellow blogger did a short review od the book and tagged the author @fionalikes.

From the title of the book you may think that the author has a negative stance towards the digital age, however from what I have read of the book’s description: “it was the online community which gave Fiona the comfort she needed to recover”.

This is a very interesting concept as we often read reasons why the digital age is negative for our mental and physical health.

You can buy this book from Amazon here.

What A Time To Be Alone – The Slumflower’s Guide To Why You Are Already Enough by Chidera Eggerue

I have a huge issue with being alone. I hate it. I love company and being around my friends and family. In fact yesterday was the first day in months that I spent more than four hours on my own. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have an issue with my own company, I just prefer to be around other people. I really want to read this book because I think I could learn a few tips from Chidera.

‘We can all decide our own fates and Chidera shows us how, using a three-part approach filled with sass, wisdom and charm.’ If this description of the book doesn’t make you eager to read this book, I don’t know what will.

This books starting retail price on Amazon is £8.22 and you can buy it here.

If you have read any of these books please tell me your thoughts in the comments below. Or if you have other books you think I should add to my reading list, I’d love to hear them!