It was a year of yet another 50 books, and I wanted to do another “top books” of the year post. (Here’s last year’s.)
The following are the most impactful books on my mental health that I read in 2022:
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
Cheryl Strayed ran an advice column called Dear Sugar for years. This is a compilation of some of the best ones. It’s heartfelt and heartbreaking. I don’t typically rate my books but this was a 5/5.
I have every belief that you’ll find it; that you’ll learn how to let your anger be only what it is and nothing more than a storm that passes harmlessly through you and peters out into the softest rain before it fades to sun.
Cheryl Strayed
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron
A spiritual and philosophical book about getting through hard times.
Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
Set in the ’60s, the book discusses the author’s experiences with mental illness, hospitalization, relationships and more. Be aware of trigger warnings, please!
Hello I Want to Die Please Fix Me by Anna Mehler Paperny
This is a journalistic look at “the system” of mental illness health care. A journalist by trade, Anna combines her experiences and evidence from real-world experts.
Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World by Isabel Gillies
Cozy changed my way of thinking about my physical and my mental spaces. Cozy can be found – or made – absolutely anywhere. And this book was cozy in itself.
But I am working, I have sweatpants on, I’m drinking tea, I notice the wintry clouds out my window, my bed is made, and I’ll go for a walk in around an hour. With these things, I am able to withstand the uncertainty and discomfort.
Isabel Gillies
The Empath’s Survival Guide & Thriving as an Empath by Judith Orloff
Judith is a key writer about empath, being a psychiatrist and empath herself. I read a couple of her empath books and learned about myself, including my sensory overload issues, protecting my energy, finding the right relationships and more.
Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price
I believe this book was recommended by Instagram sensation Bunny Michael. I immediately went in search of it at my local library. Laziness Does Not Exist is a look at the culture we live in, one that values hard work and professional success over rest and people, one where laziness is seen as shameful rather than a warning sign that we need to slow down.
We live in a world where hard work is rewarded and having needs and limitations is seen as a source of shame.
Devon Price
Thank you for reading what I was reading in 2022. I look forward to 2023 books – please feel free to leave any suggestions in the comment section!
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