Need a Literary Pick-Me-Up? Books to Match Your Mood
Whether you're feeling despair, burnout, overwhelm, anxiety, loneliness, or sadness, there’s a book that can help you process, escape, or heal. Here are some recommendations to match your mood and provide comfort.
Despair
📖 The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
💡 Why? This beautifully written historical novel reminds us of resilience, hope, and the power of words even in the darkest times.
📖 Iona Iverson's Guide to Commuting by Clare Pooley – A heartwarming story about grief, human connection, and finding new purpose, all told with humor and grace.
Burnout/Overwhelm
📖 Essentialism by Greg McKeown
💡 Why? A practical guide to cutting out the noise and focusing on what truly matters, offering a simple yet profound approach to simplifying life.
📖 Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – A fresh perspective on creativity and finding joy in your passions, encouraging you to embrace your creative instincts without guilt.
Anxiety
📖 Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
💡 Why? A faith-based guide to finding peace, trusting in God and overcoming worry with biblical wisdom. We discussed this book on Episode 88.
Loneliness
📖 How the Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior
💡 Why? A whimsical, heartwarming novel about found family, self-acceptance, and embracing connection through the unlikely friendship of a woman and a colony of penguins. Hear Hazel’s interview HERE.
📖 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows – A delightful and uplifting story about the unexpected bonds formed through letters and shared books during WWII. Featured in book flight on Episode 20.
Sadness
📖 When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
💡 Why? A deeply reflective memoir on life, death, and meaning from a neurosurgeon facing terminal illness, reminding us to live fully in the face of uncertainty. We discussed this book on Episode 50.
📖 The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower – A cozy, charming series that offers comfort and lighthearted relief when life feels heavy, with quirky characters and heartfelt moments.
