We’re back with another Top 5 Saturday! I might’ve missed last week’s topic but I will come back to it at some point 🙂 Just in case you don’t know Top 5 Saturday is a weekly meme created by Mandy @ Devouring Books and it’s where we list the top five books (they can be books on your TBR, favourite books, books you loved/hated) based on the week’s topic. You can see the upcoming schedule at the end of my post 🙂
This week’s topic is: mental illness. I have so many books with mental illness rep on my TBR and it’s so hard to just pick five. I think these are the ones that I’d like to read as soon as possible though, plus they’re all already on my physical/Kindle shelves! I also just realised all of my picks are YA?
I’ve only read one book by John Green although of course I’ve heard plenty of rave reviews about his books, this one included. I’ve heard that the mental health rep is very well done!
This is a book with high praise. One of my favourite bookstagrammers suggested I check it out at some point over the last year and I’m looking forward to giving it a try. It makes me quite sad to know that the author didn’t survive his battle with depression though… 😔
This book has come up several times on my lists now. I am looking forward to reading it but I also know that this is going to be emotionally devastating so I need to properly prepare myself for it 😅
Again, another book that has made repeated appearances on my TBR for too long now. I really don’t know why I always stop myself from reading it — I want to be emotionally prepared but I feel like now I’m just pushing it off for no reason? 😅
Pretty much the same note as above. I keep putting it off. It’s quite a short (looking) read and I feel like I should just “get it over with” sooner rather than later but I’m just too good at procrastinating? 🙃
Upcoming Schedule:
02 Feb 2020: Dystopian books- 08 Feb 2020: Mental Illness
- 15 Feb 2020: Books about Mermaids
- 22 Feb 2020: Books about spies
- 29 Feb 2020: Books inspired by mythology
What are the books you recommend with good mental health rep? I’m always open to adding more of these books to my shelves!
dinipandareads 
Holly Bourne’s Am I Normal Yet for the excellent discussion and portrayal of life with OCD. I don’t always agree with Bourne’s style of writing because I find her male characters can be far too stereotyped rather than authentic (her female characters are amazing but I’m picky af) but I can’t but praise Am I Normal Yet. If you haven’t yet read it Dini then I urge you to seek it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll give you the sun however was a book I thought was entirely overhyped and not as authentic as it should have been
LikeLiked by 1 person
Turtles is good. Am I Normal Yet is better. And this is coming from a massive John Green fan lol 😂😂 (also I need to stop hitting the reply button too quickly. I just forget I had thoughts and then I hit reply and thoughts come back lol!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha I love all your comments 😀 I haven’t heard of Am I Normal Yet but I will definitely have a look out for it. I haven’t read anything by Bourne either but she is an author I’ve heard a bit about last year! These are definitely big words coming from a Green fan so I’ll be sure to check it out 😉 I’m looking forward to I’ll Give You the Sun but I’ll also temper my expectations there. There is hype but I haven’t seen that much of it so I think I’m lucky there haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t read these. A few years ago I did read this book called OC Me by Kristin Albright. I thought it had great representation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh, I’ve never heard of that book or author before but it sounds interesting! I’ll have a peek at it over on GR to see what it’s about 🙂 Thanks for the rec!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLike
I’m wanting to read Turtles All the Way Down, too. Hope you enjoy all of these when you get to them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been wanting to read Turtles for a while now but I’ve been waiting for the right mood. Although I’m not sure if/when it’ll ever come lol I might just have to pick it up on a whim! Hope you enjoy ti too 🙂
LikeLike
It’s Kind of a Funny Story is really good, especially if you or someone close to you suffers from depression or another similar issue. A great book for a book club discussion, too. Have your tissues handy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard really good things about the book and most of the comments say that it’s a very honest, raw and relatable portrayal of depression. Glad to hear you think so as well! I’m looking forward to giving it a try. Will definitely have those tissues handy! 😅
LikeLike
[…] Dini @ Dinipandareads — Top 5 Saturday: Mental Illness Rep […]
LikeLike
So many great choices! I really want to read Turtles all the way down!! It sounds interesting! I have Heroine on my list, but I haven’t read it yet because it’s supposed to be really raw and I want to be in a good headspace when I read it. I think it’s really important to know if you’re ready to read these kinds of books before you dive in, so I’m glad you kind of brought that up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mandy! I hadn’t heard of Heroine until I saw your list but it looks really good although yeah, definitely sounds like it could be quite a tough read! I think it’ll be very important to be in a good headspace for all of these reads because even the ones you think are harmless could end up being triggering. Definitely important to mentally prepare!
LikeLike
True! But honestly when I read Love Letters to the Dead I wasnt in a good headspace at all… but that book totally helped me grieve!!!
LikeLike
I’ve only read How to make Friends with the dark and I liked it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’m glad to hear you liked it! I’m looking forward to trying it but definitely need to be mentally prepared I think! The cover is absolutely gorgeous though and it’s why I keep coming back to it LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed both Turtles All The Way Down and We Are Okay! I hope you like them when you get to reading them 🙂
One of my other favourite books with mental health rep is Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear you really enjoyed both of those reads. I’ve heard really good things about them and I’m excited to try. I’m SO attracted to Bowman’s book covers haha I always see Starfish and think “omg I need that book in my life” without ever really knowing what it’s about it. Will definitely have a proper look at it on Goodreads now. Thanks for the rec 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person