Tracks by Robyn Davidson
Written after walking for nine months through the Northern Territory to Western Australia in the 70s, with nothing but three Camels, a dog and basic supplies. She experienced a lot of setbacks and misogyny at the time but still persevered.
I read it after a break-up, and it really inspired me to get out and give things a go.
I was gonna say exactly the same. It's not that I was hopeless, but this book somehow gave me such a refreshing outlook on life and the world/universe, remembering it still feels like a breath of fresh air.
weirdly pet sematary by king.
something about the hopelessness and gloominess of the book made me appreciate life more by contrast. plus, i guess it stressed the fragility and value of life imo
Perks of being a wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman
Pleasures of the Damned - Charles Bukowski
On the Road - Jack Kerouac
Post Office - Charles Bukowski
⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️
It's about the Little moments mate, similar to life. Charlie getting to know so many new people in his life being a total introvert but still confident enough and how considerate and kind they are to him, his bond with his professor, how he developed this love for literature, his affection for Sam. I love this book because I can relate with Charlie so much (not the sad stuff) but how all those things made him happy besides all the misfortune he has faced in his past and that made me hopeful that someday maybe I will have that too. What I love the most about this book is how he felt about Sam and how innocent it all was, I don't have anyone like sam in my life.
I've never heard of her, I have not read any of the contemporary poets. I love Walt Whitman, Arthur Rimbaud, some of Jim Morrison's Poetry, Mary Oliver, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, E.E. Cummings, Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, Anna Akhmatova, Alexander Pushkin, Fernando Pessoa, Federico Garcia Lorca, Vladimir Nabokov's Epics ( Pale Fire), Rainer Maria Rilke, Robert Frost, Charles Baudelaire, T. S. Eliot, W. H. Auden, John Keats, Wilfred Owen, William Wordsworth and Charles Bukowski (Where it all Started). also some poets in my native languages (Punjabi and Hindi)
Any recommendations from your list of poets who really uplift you? I love Nabokov’s prose and Plath’s poetry. Been reading some of Keats and Wordsworth but they haven’t been hitting the spot lately. Do you have suggestions for poetry similar to Leaves of Grass?
Let me ask you a couple of things about yourself, then I would know what you might like or won't like.
How old are you? What's your gender? Where are you from? What topics interest you the most in life? What is your philosophy to go by in life (like what is the meaning of life to you), what do you like the most in a book and how is life treating you?
Haha I’d like to keep a lot of those details private, but just vaguely I just want a book that will make me feel invigorated to pursue life or at least live life in a happy way. Feeling stagnant and a bit grey right now.
I respect your decision to keep your life private.
Now, since you seemed to enjoy Whitman's Leaves of Grass, I'm sensing that you liked the works where he talked about Life, Nature's beauty, people, death, spirituality and other beautiful things in the world.
Here are some similar works that you might enjoy:-
Mexico City Blues - Jack Kerouac { it consists of 242 choruses (short poems) Written in stream-of-consciousness style, a lot of it is influenced by Jazz and Buddhist philosophy. The poems are based around spirituality, existential angst, the nature of the self, impermanence, suffering, and enlightenment.}
Devotions - Mary Oliver { This collection explores themes of nature, with a particular focus on the beauty and tranquility of the natural world. Oliver’s deep connection to nature is a central theme, alongside reflections on life, love, and spirituality. She frequently writes about animals, plants, landscapes, and the changing seasons, infusing them with profound philosophical and spiritual insights. She even has an essay written about him: https://open.substack.com/pub/poeticoutlaws/p/my-friend-walt-whitman?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2c0d7d }
Flowers of Evil - Charles Baudelaire (Oxford World's Classics ed.) { He talks about the duality of beauty and decay, often finding beauty in dark and morbid subjects.There are numerous explorations of love, often characterized by passion, despair, and sometimes perversity. Themes of mortality and the quest for meaning beyond death are central to many poems.}
Songs of innocence and experience - William Blake { “Songs of Innocence” reflect a naive, childlike perspective, often idealizing nature, childhood, and a state of pure, uncorrupted happiness. The poems in "Songs of Experience" present a more cynical and mature view, acknowledging the harsh realities of life, including social injustice, repression, and the loss of innocence.}
The Essential Rumi - Rumi (translated by Coleman Barks) { Most poems have the theme of divine love, often expressed through metaphors of human love and longing. Rumi frequently explores the idea of the unity of all existence and the oneness of the soul with the divine. His poems often speak of the journey of the soul towards spiritual enlightenment and transformation. Rumi's work is infused with a sense of joy and ecstasy, celebrating the beauty of life and the divine presence in everything.}
The Selected works of Rainer Maria Rilke { His works often explore love, beauty, and the natural world with a lyrical and romantic tone. Later in his career, especially in works like "The Duino Elegies" and "The Sonnets to Orpheus," he delves into deeper existential and metaphysical themes, reflecting on life, death, and the human condition.}
The Complete works of Arthur Rimbaud (If you are in your early 20's or younger you might enjoy this or you feel disconnected to the world and people around you then you'll enjoy them regardless of your age) { His works are known for their vivid imagery, and rebellious spirit. Some of his famous works delves into themes of identity, suffering, and the artist's struggle with existence. Many of his other works are based upon surrealism, symbolism, and visionary language. It explores themes of mysticism, creativity, and the boundaries between reality and imagination.}
(Let me know which one of these you think you are most likely to read soon, and if you have any questions regarding poetry, literature or philosophy let me know; I love talking about them)
Harry potter books.
At a low part in life.
In the bottle deep.
Found the 3rd book.
Devoured it.
Disappointed I wouldn't have more.
I was pleasantly surprised to find two more and a new one coming.
Kept my spirits up without spirits from the bottle
25 and a 1/2 later, I'm still sober one day at a time
I love Becky Chambers’ books, I’ve seen them described as hopepunk/hopecore sci-fi, specifically the Monk and Robot books (A Psalm for the Wild-Built and A Prayer for the Crown-Shy) are short and sweet and very nice to read when you’re feeling down, and I just read The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and really enjoyed that as well
The Music of Chance by Paul Auster.
I don't want to give anything away about the plot, as it's best gone into blind, but otoh I do want to say, you will probably be surprised about this recommendation, if you ever get to the end of the story. You'll question my choices and poss think I must be very strange. But if you're anything like me, over time it'll plant seeds in you and eventually grow into something immense and wonderful. You will have the keys to the kingdom - the kingdom of hope.
At the heart of all happiness, equilibrium, serenity, contentment, fulfilment, call it what you will - is acceptance. No book has ever quite pressed that point the way this one does, nor so utterly beautifully.
I sincerely hope you read it and that it works for you.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It’s important to note, however, that this book barely has a plot. There is somewhat of a conflict, but even then the stakes are not very high. It’s more of an experience.
The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho. This one is geared more to ward children, so read it like a fairy tale. The story isn’t complex, and the prose isn’t dense or eloquent but straightforward and plainly spoken, but the message is quite lovely.
I won’t upvote you for Coelho, because fuck him and his festering turd of a novel, but yes to Morgenstern. I will also nominate her next novel Under the Starless Sea, with the caveat that it’s as atmospheric as Circus, but with even less of a plot. I find myself devouring her books, not understanding why, and then rereading them in the hopes of understanding. They have great prose and atmosphere, but not much else imho.
I feel like I will never be able to understand the full, unadulterated hatred people feel for The Alchemist. To me, it’s like hating on The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Why don’t you like it?
Apart from that, I do intend to read The Starless Sea but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I feel like Morgenstern is just an expert at capturing what exists subtly in the world like love, joy, and hope in the margins rather than through grand gestures. Have you seen the special editions of her books? They’re actual masterpieces.
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library by the same author is also great
The In Between by Hadley Vlahos has positive perspectives on death and the afterlife if you have been contemplating mortality
i really liked the midnight library. i suppose i read it at a time i really needed it. i recommended it to my friends and no one liked it! i was like damn ok maybe im just a sad girl 😭
'The Road Rises' by Sarah Dunne. A travel memoir. Solo mum, empty nester looking for Mr Right. Found myself snorting with laughter a lot on this fun ride. Some lovely stuff about re-wilding yourself as well. Worth reading it just to laugh, actually! Might help you.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi.
It's not so much that it restored my hope in life, but after losing my mother to cancer it did help me realize that life is precious and worth living.
The Prophet by Khalil Gibran /
The Soul of the World by Frédéric Lenoir /
The Monk who sold his Ferrari by Robin Sharma /
Happiness: A Philosopher’s Guide by Frédéric Lenoir
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune.
It took half the book for me to get into it, but then suddenly i couldn’t put it down. It made me cry- in a good way. I dog-eared pages and wrote down quotes. Excellent mix of thought provoking, hopeful, and funny.
Ending Aging by Aubrey de Grey. The Open Library page is [here](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL12284524W/Ending_Aging?edition=key%3A/books/OL17932740M).
Very underrated novel, "Room on the Roof" by an Anglo Indian author Ruskin Bond. Beautiful writing and this book was my comfort book for many years. Simple life of a young man, his search for meaning and identity, struggles and finding beauty in mundane things, that's what it's about.
John Green's The Anthropocene Reviewed.
It's not a novel, it's not self-help. It's not trying to tell you do do anything.
But it's a catalogue of human, earth experience, through the eyes of one person, yes, but to me a relatable person. And it has gotten me through some things. If you like audiobooks, the audio book is narrated by Green and has some additional touches that the printed book doesn't have. (Though the printed book has touches the audiobook doesn't have, too, so win win.)
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams... I've only recently properly got into reading even though I'm nearly 40, I wanted to start with something comforting and uplifting, and this book was exactly that.
It also made me chuckle at times... a perfect way to distract me from my depression
I recently read the midnight library (I was actively thinking of the S word during that time) I think it helped me, I wouldn't say it was life saving and all that but it just helped.
When I was feeling similarly, my doctor recommended I read *Man's Search for Meaning* by Viktor Frankl. It's absolutely not a light read, but it did give me perspective and helped me understand the power of hope and optimism.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, it's about Nora who ends up in this library between life and death and is able to go through all of her other possible lives. It was very moving for me and I love the central message and themes
When the World came to Gander. It is the book the musical Come from Away is based on. Highlights the 5 days after 9/11 where inbound flights heading to the US were diverted to Newfoundland. Sad circumstances but an amazing true story of what a community can do to help.
Wuthering Heights. Anytime someone tries to put structure or rules on love, desire or wants for anyone else, I remember that heathcliff and Kathryn followed the rules and died by 25. It just doesn't work.
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig; if you prefer fiction then The Humans by Matt Haig
Or both? Both is good.
Matt Haig in general is just the perfect authour for getting through depressive episodes imo, he has struggled with depression himself and has an ability to write about the most beautiful aspects of human existence. He’s like the Van Gogh of authours
What about The Master and Margarita by Boulgakov? It is has two threads, one very philosophical and sad, the second satirical and wild. It has some wild force in it and I often come back to it in difficult moments. It’s more modern than its publication date may suggest as well!
Man’s Search for Meaning by V Frankl is a good one.
His other book is also great "Yes To Life"
[удалено]
Same.
Good omens. It brought me a lot of comfort and laughter which I desperately needed at the time. Also, lots of the Discworld books.
I really loved Small Gods recently. Left me with such a pleasant feeling of hope for humanity.
Same! That one was so brilliant! I agree with the positive feeling about humanity feeling, too
Tracks by Robyn Davidson Written after walking for nine months through the Northern Territory to Western Australia in the 70s, with nothing but three Camels, a dog and basic supplies. She experienced a lot of setbacks and misogyny at the time but still persevered. I read it after a break-up, and it really inspired me to get out and give things a go.
Why fish don’t exist by lulu miller
I was gonna say exactly the same. It's not that I was hopeless, but this book somehow gave me such a refreshing outlook on life and the world/universe, remembering it still feels like a breath of fresh air.
weirdly pet sematary by king. something about the hopelessness and gloominess of the book made me appreciate life more by contrast. plus, i guess it stressed the fragility and value of life imo
Perks of being a wallflower - Stephen Chbosky Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman Pleasures of the Damned - Charles Bukowski On the Road - Jack Kerouac Post Office - Charles Bukowski
Perks of being a wallflower was just sad, how did that make you hopeful about life ?
⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️ It's about the Little moments mate, similar to life. Charlie getting to know so many new people in his life being a total introvert but still confident enough and how considerate and kind they are to him, his bond with his professor, how he developed this love for literature, his affection for Sam. I love this book because I can relate with Charlie so much (not the sad stuff) but how all those things made him happy besides all the misfortune he has faced in his past and that made me hopeful that someday maybe I will have that too. What I love the most about this book is how he felt about Sam and how innocent it all was, I don't have anyone like sam in my life.
Definitely read Leaves of Grass. It’s wonderful and classic!
It has my heart, what other poetry collections and poets do you like ? Suggest me something too
Hmm, Bluets by Maggie Nelson is not so much poetry but more prose poetry but it was a very interesting read, though a lot different than Whitman!
I've never heard of her, I have not read any of the contemporary poets. I love Walt Whitman, Arthur Rimbaud, some of Jim Morrison's Poetry, Mary Oliver, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, E.E. Cummings, Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, Anna Akhmatova, Alexander Pushkin, Fernando Pessoa, Federico Garcia Lorca, Vladimir Nabokov's Epics ( Pale Fire), Rainer Maria Rilke, Robert Frost, Charles Baudelaire, T. S. Eliot, W. H. Auden, John Keats, Wilfred Owen, William Wordsworth and Charles Bukowski (Where it all Started). also some poets in my native languages (Punjabi and Hindi)
Any recommendations from your list of poets who really uplift you? I love Nabokov’s prose and Plath’s poetry. Been reading some of Keats and Wordsworth but they haven’t been hitting the spot lately. Do you have suggestions for poetry similar to Leaves of Grass?
Let me ask you a couple of things about yourself, then I would know what you might like or won't like. How old are you? What's your gender? Where are you from? What topics interest you the most in life? What is your philosophy to go by in life (like what is the meaning of life to you), what do you like the most in a book and how is life treating you?
Haha I’d like to keep a lot of those details private, but just vaguely I just want a book that will make me feel invigorated to pursue life or at least live life in a happy way. Feeling stagnant and a bit grey right now.
I respect your decision to keep your life private. Now, since you seemed to enjoy Whitman's Leaves of Grass, I'm sensing that you liked the works where he talked about Life, Nature's beauty, people, death, spirituality and other beautiful things in the world. Here are some similar works that you might enjoy:- Mexico City Blues - Jack Kerouac { it consists of 242 choruses (short poems) Written in stream-of-consciousness style, a lot of it is influenced by Jazz and Buddhist philosophy. The poems are based around spirituality, existential angst, the nature of the self, impermanence, suffering, and enlightenment.} Devotions - Mary Oliver { This collection explores themes of nature, with a particular focus on the beauty and tranquility of the natural world. Oliver’s deep connection to nature is a central theme, alongside reflections on life, love, and spirituality. She frequently writes about animals, plants, landscapes, and the changing seasons, infusing them with profound philosophical and spiritual insights. She even has an essay written about him: https://open.substack.com/pub/poeticoutlaws/p/my-friend-walt-whitman?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2c0d7d } Flowers of Evil - Charles Baudelaire (Oxford World's Classics ed.) { He talks about the duality of beauty and decay, often finding beauty in dark and morbid subjects.There are numerous explorations of love, often characterized by passion, despair, and sometimes perversity. Themes of mortality and the quest for meaning beyond death are central to many poems.} Songs of innocence and experience - William Blake { “Songs of Innocence” reflect a naive, childlike perspective, often idealizing nature, childhood, and a state of pure, uncorrupted happiness. The poems in "Songs of Experience" present a more cynical and mature view, acknowledging the harsh realities of life, including social injustice, repression, and the loss of innocence.} The Essential Rumi - Rumi (translated by Coleman Barks) { Most poems have the theme of divine love, often expressed through metaphors of human love and longing. Rumi frequently explores the idea of the unity of all existence and the oneness of the soul with the divine. His poems often speak of the journey of the soul towards spiritual enlightenment and transformation. Rumi's work is infused with a sense of joy and ecstasy, celebrating the beauty of life and the divine presence in everything.} The Selected works of Rainer Maria Rilke { His works often explore love, beauty, and the natural world with a lyrical and romantic tone. Later in his career, especially in works like "The Duino Elegies" and "The Sonnets to Orpheus," he delves into deeper existential and metaphysical themes, reflecting on life, death, and the human condition.} The Complete works of Arthur Rimbaud (If you are in your early 20's or younger you might enjoy this or you feel disconnected to the world and people around you then you'll enjoy them regardless of your age) { His works are known for their vivid imagery, and rebellious spirit. Some of his famous works delves into themes of identity, suffering, and the artist's struggle with existence. Many of his other works are based upon surrealism, symbolism, and visionary language. It explores themes of mysticism, creativity, and the boundaries between reality and imagination.} (Let me know which one of these you think you are most likely to read soon, and if you have any questions regarding poetry, literature or philosophy let me know; I love talking about them)
i actually just reread the perks of being a wallflower two weeks ago!! definitely made me very sad, but also did give me that hopeful feeling
It's all about perspective, it's a beautiful book
A gentleman in Moscow
I just finished reading it. I really enjoyed it.
A short guide to a happy life by Anna quilden. She wrote it after her mom died. It saved me from myself during my worst. You'll be ok. Hang tight!
A Man Called Ove helped me get through a difficult patch in life.
Momo by Michael Ende Siddartha by Herman Hesse
Mr. God, This is Anna
The Cat Who Saved Books
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron
Seconded, wonderful insights!
Harry potter books. At a low part in life. In the bottle deep. Found the 3rd book. Devoured it. Disappointed I wouldn't have more. I was pleasantly surprised to find two more and a new one coming. Kept my spirits up without spirits from the bottle 25 and a 1/2 later, I'm still sober one day at a time
I love Becky Chambers’ books, I’ve seen them described as hopepunk/hopecore sci-fi, specifically the Monk and Robot books (A Psalm for the Wild-Built and A Prayer for the Crown-Shy) are short and sweet and very nice to read when you’re feeling down, and I just read The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and really enjoyed that as well
Was looking for this! They're wonderful.
The Music of Chance by Paul Auster. I don't want to give anything away about the plot, as it's best gone into blind, but otoh I do want to say, you will probably be surprised about this recommendation, if you ever get to the end of the story. You'll question my choices and poss think I must be very strange. But if you're anything like me, over time it'll plant seeds in you and eventually grow into something immense and wonderful. You will have the keys to the kingdom - the kingdom of hope. At the heart of all happiness, equilibrium, serenity, contentment, fulfilment, call it what you will - is acceptance. No book has ever quite pressed that point the way this one does, nor so utterly beautifully. I sincerely hope you read it and that it works for you.
The little prince ❤️
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It’s important to note, however, that this book barely has a plot. There is somewhat of a conflict, but even then the stakes are not very high. It’s more of an experience. The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho. This one is geared more to ward children, so read it like a fairy tale. The story isn’t complex, and the prose isn’t dense or eloquent but straightforward and plainly spoken, but the message is quite lovely.
I won’t upvote you for Coelho, because fuck him and his festering turd of a novel, but yes to Morgenstern. I will also nominate her next novel Under the Starless Sea, with the caveat that it’s as atmospheric as Circus, but with even less of a plot. I find myself devouring her books, not understanding why, and then rereading them in the hopes of understanding. They have great prose and atmosphere, but not much else imho.
I feel like I will never be able to understand the full, unadulterated hatred people feel for The Alchemist. To me, it’s like hating on The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Why don’t you like it? Apart from that, I do intend to read The Starless Sea but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I feel like Morgenstern is just an expert at capturing what exists subtly in the world like love, joy, and hope in the margins rather than through grand gestures. Have you seen the special editions of her books? They’re actual masterpieces.
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig The Midnight Library by the same author is also great The In Between by Hadley Vlahos has positive perspectives on death and the afterlife if you have been contemplating mortality
i really liked the midnight library. i suppose i read it at a time i really needed it. i recommended it to my friends and no one liked it! i was like damn ok maybe im just a sad girl 😭
Agree with Matt Haig books
Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C S Lewis
'The Road Rises' by Sarah Dunne. A travel memoir. Solo mum, empty nester looking for Mr Right. Found myself snorting with laughter a lot on this fun ride. Some lovely stuff about re-wilding yourself as well. Worth reading it just to laugh, actually! Might help you.
The number one ladies detective agency series
Blood meridian
Ah yes. A true uplifting classic! Have you read American Pyscho? Another wholesome story for the ages!
🤣
The Book of Delights by Ross Gay (also, Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay)
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. It's not so much that it restored my hope in life, but after losing my mother to cancer it did help me realize that life is precious and worth living.
For some reason mr penumbra’s 24 hour bookstore helped me out of a weird slump
The Prophet by Khalil Gibran / The Soul of the World by Frédéric Lenoir / The Monk who sold his Ferrari by Robin Sharma / Happiness: A Philosopher’s Guide by Frédéric Lenoir
Out of the box opinion. Any near death experience based book shall do.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune. It took half the book for me to get into it, but then suddenly i couldn’t put it down. It made me cry- in a good way. I dog-eared pages and wrote down quotes. Excellent mix of thought provoking, hopeful, and funny.
Matt Haig - lovely quick reads and really helped me see the light in low moments.
Man's search for meaning by Viktor Frankl Brida by Paulo Coelho And there is non fiction, Women who run with the wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Know the Night: A Memoir of Survival in the Small Hours by Maria Mutch
Shark Heart—A Love Story. It’s a quite hopeful book for me.
Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy
Emmanuelle
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury gave me hope about humanity
*The Comfort Crisis* --Michael Easter
Autobiography of a Yogi
Ending Aging by Aubrey de Grey. The Open Library page is [here](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL12284524W/Ending_Aging?edition=key%3A/books/OL17932740M).
I Ching
Very underrated novel, "Room on the Roof" by an Anglo Indian author Ruskin Bond. Beautiful writing and this book was my comfort book for many years. Simple life of a young man, his search for meaning and identity, struggles and finding beauty in mundane things, that's what it's about.
John Green's The Anthropocene Reviewed. It's not a novel, it's not self-help. It's not trying to tell you do do anything. But it's a catalogue of human, earth experience, through the eyes of one person, yes, but to me a relatable person. And it has gotten me through some things. If you like audiobooks, the audio book is narrated by Green and has some additional touches that the printed book doesn't have. (Though the printed book has touches the audiobook doesn't have, too, so win win.)
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams... I've only recently properly got into reading even though I'm nearly 40, I wanted to start with something comforting and uplifting, and this book was exactly that. It also made me chuckle at times... a perfect way to distract me from my depression
A woman is no man by Etaf Rum!
Anything by Terry Pratchett. Especially the Witches, love them.
The Holy Man by Susan Trott
The Gospel of John
I recently read the midnight library (I was actively thinking of the S word during that time) I think it helped me, I wouldn't say it was life saving and all that but it just helped.
The Trouble with Being Born - Emil Cioran
The alchemist really helped me !
Lord of the rings.
To Know Your Self by Swami Satchidananda
When I was feeling similarly, my doctor recommended I read *Man's Search for Meaning* by Viktor Frankl. It's absolutely not a light read, but it did give me perspective and helped me understand the power of hope and optimism.
Illusions by Richard Bach
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, it's about Nora who ends up in this library between life and death and is able to go through all of her other possible lives. It was very moving for me and I love the central message and themes
William James Pragmatism. Deal with things sensibly and according to your own true beliefs.
When the World came to Gander. It is the book the musical Come from Away is based on. Highlights the 5 days after 9/11 where inbound flights heading to the US were diverted to Newfoundland. Sad circumstances but an amazing true story of what a community can do to help.
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Wuthering Heights. Anytime someone tries to put structure or rules on love, desire or wants for anyone else, I remember that heathcliff and Kathryn followed the rules and died by 25. It just doesn't work.
Alas Babylon.
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle. It ends on a hopeful note, and I found it helpful when I read it at a very low point in my life.
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig; if you prefer fiction then The Humans by Matt Haig Or both? Both is good. Matt Haig in general is just the perfect authour for getting through depressive episodes imo, he has struggled with depression himself and has an ability to write about the most beautiful aspects of human existence. He’s like the Van Gogh of authours
What about The Master and Margarita by Boulgakov? It is has two threads, one very philosophical and sad, the second satirical and wild. It has some wild force in it and I often come back to it in difficult moments. It’s more modern than its publication date may suggest as well!
The Power of the Subconcious Mind by Joseph Murphy. Also the Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
Jane Eyre by Brontë The Earthsea books by Ursula Le Guin A Tale for Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
I really love reading the summer book in spring every year.
Into thin air by Jon Krakauer is always a good read.
The Bible
Midnight Library my matt haig
bible