Writing is a deeply personal experience.
These books, by everyday storytellers, shaped my understanding of emotional wellness & resilience, inspiring my experience. I hope they inspire you too.
Libby Lost & Found by Stephanie Booth
A unique exploration of mental health themes, blending magic & reality in a heartfelt, relatable story. It highlights the power of support, courage, & authenticity, offering readers a gentle way to engage with big feelings & emotional growth.
https://www.stephanieboothwrites.com/
“If we only lived in sunshine, we’d get soaked by the sight of storm clouds.”
Merriment Making by Mary England
Walking through Artscape, while celebrating a big morning, my three-year-old daughter saw Mary & said, “Mom, she’s like our sunshine.” Reading this later, brought tears, seeing the openness she shares with the world; the same kind I’m learning to express in my own way.
“After decades of trauma, addiction, and self-doubt, I rebuilt my life with color, kindness, and creativity. Now I help others reclaim their joy, too.”
Lighter: Let Go of the Past, Connect with the Present, and Expand the Future by Yung Pueblo
Following @yungpueblo is often the therapy I need on non-therapy days. His words are a gentle nudge back to myself, quiet reminders of healing, growth, & emotional clarity.
https://yungpueblo.com/books-1
“When chaos is all around you, the wisest choice is to create peace within you“
The Fellowship of the Ring brought me adventure when my small hometown couldn’t expand their minds -it reminded me that adventure was out there, & a fantasy that one day I would find my people to walk any journey with me. Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk is a re-read I’ll return to again & again, as Palahniuk shows that even in the tragic, unique, & grotesque, there are things that come alive & shift your mindset. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern is beauty beyond words, a story that reminds me of the magic & wonder waiting in the world.
“He tells her how he worries that none of it means anything. That none of it is important. That who he is, or who he thinks he is, is just a collection of references to other people’s art and he is so focused on story and meaning and structure that he wants his world to have all of it neatly laid out and it never, ever does and he fears it never will.” Starless Sea
Therapeutic Books
First, We Make the Beast Beautiful by Sarah Wilson – A poetic exploration of anxiety, so vivid it made me want to share a page from every photo to show people these are my feelings.
Help Me! by Marianne Power- A humorous & honest chronicles of a year-long quest to live by the rules of a different popular self-help book each month to find out if they really work.
My Children‘s Books
Alma is named after Alma Singer, History of Love by Nicole Krauss, who carries a legacy of curiosity, courage, & joy, born from years of shared stories, laughter, & everyday adventures—a reminder that our stories intertwine.
Max is named after the King of the Wild Things, a playful nudge to let the wild rumpus start & embrace imagination & fun.
Have a book I should read? Send a Comment!
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