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Top 5 Books Dealing with Mental Illness
As someone who prefers to read contemporary realistic fiction for teens, I inadvertently seem to read a lot of books dealing with some form of mental illness, whether it be--depression, anxiety, eating disorders, etc. Here my top 5 books involving mental illness that I have read recently. I'm sure I am missing YA classics on this particular topic but I wanted to shy away from the typical answers to this question.
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
In my humble opinion, this book (whether you deem it in the topics canon or not) is an essential YA read having to do with mental illness. Your heart with break and soar for this beloved misfit. If you have not read this yet, please pick it up, It is a truly beautiful, heart breaking story
The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
A recent read for me, Anderson is a mainstay in contemporary realistic fiction. Her works are often intense and deal a range of mental issues from eating disorders to depression. This work is a heartbreaking and beautiful exploration that a teen goes through when faced with her father's own demons. Truly amazing!
All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
This debut novel has made the cut due to its unflinching and realistic portrayal of teenage depression. I read this earlier this year and was immediately struck by Finch and Violet's incredible journey and rawness of how mental illness impacts not just the individual suffering but the loved ones left in its wake.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Though not a strict exploration of mental illness, Cath's experience as her father's deals with his own father's mental illness hit me right in the feels. As someone who has a parent who struggles with very similar issues, I felt for Cath deeply. Feeling like a parent to your parent is rough but can also help you to appreciate the good times when they are there in front of you.
Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon
Okay, I am going to be pretty vague with this since the novel is so new and I don't want to give away any major spoilers. My heart broke for Maddy as she struggled with not only dealing with the depressing nature of being trapped inside her house and illness but also in the personal demons those around her had to face within the novel. This is really a must read novel that truly offers hope among the pain of what mental illness can do to those we love the most.
In my humble opinion, this book (whether you deem it in the topics canon or not) is an essential YA read having to do with mental illness. Your heart with break and soar for this beloved misfit. If you have not read this yet, please pick it up, It is a truly beautiful, heart breaking story
The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
A recent read for me, Anderson is a mainstay in contemporary realistic fiction. Her works are often intense and deal a range of mental issues from eating disorders to depression. This work is a heartbreaking and beautiful exploration that a teen goes through when faced with her father's own demons. Truly amazing!
All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
This debut novel has made the cut due to its unflinching and realistic portrayal of teenage depression. I read this earlier this year and was immediately struck by Finch and Violet's incredible journey and rawness of how mental illness impacts not just the individual suffering but the loved ones left in its wake.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Though not a strict exploration of mental illness, Cath's experience as her father's deals with his own father's mental illness hit me right in the feels. As someone who has a parent who struggles with very similar issues, I felt for Cath deeply. Feeling like a parent to your parent is rough but can also help you to appreciate the good times when they are there in front of you.
Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon
Okay, I am going to be pretty vague with this since the novel is so new and I don't want to give away any major spoilers. My heart broke for Maddy as she struggled with not only dealing with the depressing nature of being trapped inside her house and illness but also in the personal demons those around her had to face within the novel. This is really a must read novel that truly offers hope among the pain of what mental illness can do to those we love the most.