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Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme created by Rukky @Eternity Books and co-hosted by Aria @Book Nook Bits and Dini @DiniPandaReads! In this discussion meme, participants get to talk about certain topics, share opinions, and spread the love by visiting each other’s posts! Learn more about LTB, past topics and future topics HERE.

Suggested by: Lin @ Lin’s Perspective
Prompts: Are there any books that have helped you during a difficult moment in your life? What books would you deem a must-read-must-have when it comes to mental health awareness? What are your favourite book(s) that feature a main character going through a rough patch?

I am so late for this one, but I am here nonetheless! Life has been busy, and I barely have had the will or time to read anything this month. Additionally, my father had to have emergency surgery, which, thank God, went well, and he is already recovering. We had so many other things going on as well, I am not going to bother you with all that. Hopefully you all have been well and have had some amazing reads!

Are there any books that have helped you during a difficult moment in your life?

Absolutely, yes. In all honesty, books have helped me more than anyone or anything when it comes to this. Finding refuge and feeling seen and understood is such an amazing feeling, especially when it comes from a book! I’ve noticed that I gravitate towards more serious books with deeper meaning. However, I’ve also opted for lighthearted and uplifting ones. Two books in particular are ones I return to time and time again whenever I am going through a rough patch. And I should say that every time, those books have helped me greatly with whatever I was going through at the time.

What books would you deem a must-read-must-have when it comes to mental health awareness?

Continuing my thought from the previous question, the two books are The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J Klune and The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry! I just love these two, and they will always have a special place in my heart. Although they might not be strictly related to mental health awareness, I still deem them a must-read for when life gets a little bit too much.
Now, on the topic, here are some books I deem a must-read-must-have:

1. This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay: I read this one amid the pandemic whilst working in the A&E department. It helped me so much in processing and dealing with some of the emotions I was going through at the time.
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: I cannot stress enough how great this book is, and the movie too! It deals with childhood trauma, depression, and so much more. I love Charlie, and I just wish I could give him a huge hug and protect him from everything and everyone!
3. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green: Great representation of OCD and anxiety.
4. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness: A powerful story about grief, guilt and anfer so much more. I need to re-read this one.
5. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy: If you have not read this one yet, please do. It is such a powerful biography, so raw and honest. Opens your eyes to a lot of what is going on behind closed doors at home, in Hollywood and more.
6. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: An amazing book is like an onion. It has so many layers to it: depression, grief, reaching out for help. It is just such a beautiful story.

What are your favourite book(s) that feature a main character going through a rough patch?

I mean, there are so many one could choose from, but here are the ones that have stuck with me and that I often think about. In no particular order some will be repeating:

1. Pink Mist by Owen Sheers
2. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
3. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
6. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Wishing you all an amazing new week!