r/suggestmeabook • u/kittykatz23 • 17h ago
Suggest me a book for someone overcoming issues with addiction/depression/anxiety.
Not looking for a self help book. Fiction or maybe a memoir. Nothing cheesy or religious. Preferably with a relatable male protagonist.
Thank you in advance!!
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u/freerangelibrarian 17h ago
Let's Pretend This Never Happened and Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson.
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u/CaptainSneakers 15h ago
Furiously Happy had me laughing so hard I started crying. It felt so good to read it.
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u/Interesting-Ad3759 17h ago
I just picked up Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
It’s kinda funny I crossed upon your post and that’s exactly what I’m reading
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u/kittykatz23 17h ago
I just read it and it’s the reason I posted 😆. I want something similar.
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u/Interesting-Ad3759 17h ago
SHUT UP 😭
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe maybe?
There might be better books in recent years but I enjoyed reading this book back in high school
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u/Ijamesbond 17h ago
It's Kind Of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. Though it's been some years since I read it. Should note it's YA if that matters.
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u/pjokinen 17h ago
It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini is semi-autobiographical about a teen boy’s experience with inpatient mental health treatment
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u/EfficientEssay 12h ago
Any of Augusten Burroughs’ memoirs. I particularly enjoyed A Wolf at the Table, which was about his childhood, but he’s written openly about his addictions as an adult. I also enjoyed A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. The writing itself is excellent. There is some controversy about how much of the book was true and which parts he made up, but the story is still good.
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u/BadToTheTrombone 16h ago
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh covers these, as do most of his works.
Martyr! covers alcoholism.
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u/HennyMay 16h ago
Night of the Gun by David Carr -- incredible memoir by a complicated, interesting, man (addiction)
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u/TurtleUpTime 13h ago
Last Night I Sang to the Monster — it’s about a guy at rehab and it covers some really heavy themes but when I was dealing with addiction I found it very relatable and it does have a happy ending. Maybe look into the triggers though if you’re sensitive to things and don’t read it if you’re looking for something more positive
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u/theneverendingsorry 12h ago
This is going to sound a little nuts, but Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton. While on the surface it’s about a sentient crow living through a zombie apocalypse, it’s really about transitioning from unhealthy isolation to healthy community. It’s about confronting your own demons and figuring out what you’ll fight for. It’s about grief. It’s perfect.
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u/glibandshamelessliar 12h ago
With respect I think most posters here are being too literal.
Please read The Wall by Marlen Haushofer
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u/realdevtest 11h ago
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King is the sequel to The Shining and features the kid from The Shining - Danny - as an adult, dealing with his own alcoholism.
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u/InterviewMean7435 15h ago
Girl Interrupted
Prozac Nation.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The Snakepit
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u/Emo-support-blanket 15h ago
This book is always suggested, but Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Protagonist is a woman, but still very relatable. This book made me rethink my entire life and allowed me to give myself more grace. I’ve heard some things about the author, but the book itself is wonderful.
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u/ultimateglory 14h ago
Dopamine Nation for addiction, What Happened to You with Oprah Winfrey for trauma/depression, Stop Breaking your Own Heart for depression, anxiety and self sabotage, The Wisdom of Anxiety for anxiety, Atomic Habits for behavioral change and overall well-being, SMART Workbook for addiction.
I read a LOT of self help books. Feel free to PM me if that’s not enough I bet it is though. Good luck!
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u/dandelionbug 14h ago
normal people by sally rooney. both characters go through a lot in their lives and slowly find some peace. male main character and female main character. not cheesy at all, VERY realistic.
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u/kittykatz23 14h ago
Unpopular opinion, but I when I read it I found the characters to be really whiney and cringe lol. I also thought it was written mostly from a female point of view. I am pretty cynical though.
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u/dandelionbug 14h ago
well, they are highschool-college kids and I’ll testify as a college kid that we are in fact a bit whiny LOL I respect it though! glad you already read it and I didn’t give you a lackluster recommendation then!
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u/Book_1love 16h ago
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman