Books For My Mental Health

I read for the same reason that I run... for my mental health. I have turned to TV and books for a change of scene when things get difficult to deal with. For me, reading books and watching TV is about seeing that many others have dealt with many more difficult situations, and that maybe I can learn from that. Here are some of my favorite books that helped me deal with life.
 
The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky- This is a book about Charlie, who is going into High School. He is an introvert, and the book is letters that he is writing to a "friend" about his High School experience. I wanted to crawl inside this book and live in it.
 
 
 
Harry Potter by JK Rowling- The entire series
If a Teenager can beat the Dark Lord several times, with the help and love of his friends and family, I can get up and deal with life.
 
 
 
Born To Run by Christopher McDougall - I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in a really good story. The books has the griping story of the race being put together by Caballo Blanco, and history on the Tarahumaras and their running. It also explores lots of aspects of running, like shoes, fueling, training, and ultra marathon races. Just to clarify, I did not go out and bought Vibram shoes after reading this book, but I did start using the tittle as my running mantra in races and training " I was Born to Run!" I told this to Mr. McDougall when I had the pleasure of meeting him at a race.
 
 
 
 
Are you There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler- This book is hilarious! One of her best! It's just stories of her life and her family. I have not watched her show, but her books made me laugh when I wanted to cry.
 
 
Push by Saphire ( or Precious)
This book changed the way I looked at so many things! It's a difficult read, but a necessary one. Push is the story of Precious who lives with her mother and is physically, emotionally and sexually abused by her mother and her father. It is a gripping story.
 
 
What are books that get you through difficult times?
Have you read any of this books?
Why do you read books?
how do you pick your books?
 

Comments

  1. I am not a TV person but I love to just sit on my porch and read books and magazines! I think it annoys my husband though cus he's always asking me to come inside and watch TV with him..lol

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    1. Funny Meranda! Do you have any shows that you watch together? I enjoy a book more than TV too!

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  2. I agree that reading has definitely helped me as a coping method at times. I love the whole Harry Potter series.

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    1. Chaitali, the Harry Potter series is amazing!

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  3. I have not heard of these books from Chelsea Handler but hey you had me at vodka!

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    1. That book is hilarious! check it out for sure!

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  4. Thanks for these suggestions! I'm always looking for new recommendations and a lot of these sound awesome. I am especially intrigued by Are you There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea. =)

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    1. Chelsea Handler is hilarious!

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  5. I have not read any of those books. When I going through something rough, I just want to read something that really takes my mind away from whatever I am dealing with. Sometimes I re-read books I have read many times before (like Christopher Pike books) because they are homey. :)

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    1. I'm going to look up Chrisopher Pike, I have not heard of him before. I used to read Memoirs of A Geisha and Dirty Girls Social Club each year for a long time, because they were my favorite books, and had read them so often, that they felt like friends.

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  6. Wow! You have a whole of Harry Potter. I like reading detective story, so i collect many this genre, especially, Sherlock Holmes.

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    1. I have Sherlock on my list to read yet!

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  7. I loved Born to Run--it was so empowering! I love to read inspiring books about running, which is why I started the book club. Scott Jurek's book was really good too. The most recent book I read that made me laugh out loud was Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld. So snarky....

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    1. Born To Run was amazing! The Scott Jurek book was great too!

      I read an article a while back that said that Born to Run created a new genre of books... relatable Running books ! it talked about how that genre has grown over the years.

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