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Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes?
Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes?
Holly Bourne | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)
8
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A moving insight into mental health
While it has a fairly fun and playful sounding title, this book is far from being fun and playful. It’s a very interesting but definitely serious take on mental health in teenagers. I’d dare anyone to read this and not find something in common with one of the characters currently residing at Camp Reset. Olive herself is a tormented yet intriguing main character, however she does make for difficult reading at times. As a reader, you can see what’s going on with her even thought she can’t see it herself, and it makes reading quite frustrating, although this is the true reality of mental illness. The book also has a very good message, and almost had me in tears at the end, especially with the letter from the writer Holly Bourne. This is definitely not a feel good story, but definitely one that gets you thinking.
  
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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Yellow Wallpaper and Selected Writings in Books

Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 10, 2017)  
Exploring the impact of trauma
I studied this in school, and it left a profound impact on me. The idea of mental health and the effect of trauma is explored in detail in this book. A woman begins to see a woman trapped in her yellow wallpaper, but is it a ghostly apparition or a manifestation of herself?
  
Joker (2019)
Joker (2019)
2019 | Crime, Drama
I'm sorry, but this movie just wasn't for me. I believe I finished it, but was ready to quit at least an hour in. Don't hate on me, I know there have been people who say it highlights mental health issues, and I'm not arguing that, I'm just saying it wasn't something I could get into.
  
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Gail Honeyman | 2017 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
10
8.6 (80 Ratings)
Book Rating
Pros: ▪ Character is relatable ▪ Laugh out loud moments ▪ unpredictable storyline (although I did catch on pretty quick)
▪ Realistic mental health
No cons today!
Oh Eleanor! What an absolute incredible story. She is the most relatable character I have read about so far in any book.
Like many others this book isnt what I had expected, I'm not really sure what I was expecting but this certainly wasn't it, I avoided reading this for so long because it had been hyped up so much I didn't want to be disappointed. I was not disappointed, actually pleasantly surprised!
I have to admit, I did catch on to the plot twist that is revealed at the end, quite quickly, but even so once I had read it I put it down and thought wow, such clever writing!
This is the first 10 rating I've given since Alex Michaelides, The Silent Patient, after reading that I didn't expect to find another 10 rating so soon.
Gail Honeyman has such a unique yet genuine way of writing, she perfects the descriptive writing concerning mental health and loneliness and keeps it extremely realistic and relatable. I have read many books now where the main character has complex mental health issues but usually the authors get a bit too unrealistic with it, however, Honeyman keeps it realistic, so much so it almost feels like reading a memoir. I wish it was a memoir because I'd love to meet Eleanor in real life and just give her a big hug!
Nobody should ever feel lonely, even more so whilst dealing with mental health, unfortunately that is reality for too many people nowa days.
  
Turtles All The Way Down
Turtles All The Way Down
John Green | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.4 (60 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mental Health Issues (3 more)
Plot
Characters
Quoteable
It ended (0 more)
John Green Does It Again
I will start off by saying that I love John Green. His books have always been a favorite of mine. Looking For Alaska is a book I will gravitate towards over and over again. He has such a great writing style with the most beautiful quotes. I can't get over it if we're being honest.
Mental health is a big and important topic. With something so big comes a lot of responsibility when writing about it. John Green nails it. The way he talks about Aza's OCD and how he describes her thought processes is amazing. You really start to bond with the character and feel for her. BUT, not only do you feel for her, you get frustrated with her because you start to get invested. The way that she navigates her life, her thoughts, her relationships, her everything is so well thought out by John.
I think this book has started a lot of really important conversations. People are talking about OCD. How to cope with someone who has OCD. How to cope with having it yourself. How to seek help and know that there ARE great resources out there that people don't know about. Best of all, it's helping to take away the awful stigma that seems to be attached to mental illness and mental health.
Thank you, John Green. Your books bring me peace.
  
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AmyBee (4 KP) rated The Bell Jar in Books

Sep 5, 2018  
The Bell Jar
The Bell Jar
Sylvia Plath | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
10
7.4 (23 Ratings)
Book Rating
I cannot believe I have only just read this for the first time! The Bell Jar is definitely deserving of it's status as a 'classic' in semi-autobiographical fiction. Plath really captures you with the stream-of-consciousness monologue of Esther Greenwood, a young woman who narrates her journey into insanity in the 1950's.

The Bell Jar is narrated in a similar vein to and is quite reminiscent of Virginia Woolf's novel 'Mrs Dalloway', although it has a decidedly more risqué tone as the narrator talks in great detail about subjects which would not have been deemed acceptable in the 1920's (such as losing her virginity!).

What particularly gripped me about this novel is that Esther's mental illness seems to sneak up on her and this is reflected in the novel, as it almost seems to take the reader by surprise that this seemingly normal young woman is falling deeper and deeper into her illness.

Mental health stigma is also clearly represented in the novel, as it almost seem is at points that Esther's illness is treated as a joke, and definitely not taken seriously by most. It's also interesting to read about the archaic means of treatment for mental health sufferers eg Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) AKA Electroshock therapy, and it's aftermath.

All in all, a very thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended for lovers of classic literature surrounding mental health issues.
  
A Million Little Things
A Million Little Things
2018 | Comedy, Drama
10
6.0 (7 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Great ensamble cast and character dynamics (3 more)
Intriguing plotlines
Accurate portrayal of mental health issues
Open and honest with social issues
Smart and witty with all the raw emotions
This was a show which drew me in immediately. The characters and the obstacles of which they face are all diverse and very relatable. Be prepared to have your heartstrings tugged at
  
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Mothergamer (1511 KP) rated Locke and Key in TV

Nov 17, 2021 (Updated Nov 18, 2021)  
Locke and Key
Locke and Key
2020 | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Honestly the comic is better with telling the story and the children are more likeable too. It feels like they missed the mark with the show and didn't explain a lot and just kind of throws you in. The kids are so unlikeable with the exception of Tyler and they constantly make foolish decisions. I get that they're kids and kids make mistakes, but it's just constantly one bad decision after another. The adults are completely clueless and it gets so frustrating at points. The different magic keys are interesting, but the show is definitely missing something and it's disappointing that they missed the mark with this because it could have been a lot better. I also feel they did a horrible disservice in regards to mental illness with Sam who has Borderline Personality Disorder adding to the stigma of mental health and using it as a plot point for murder in the story. It is deeply disappointing and for those of us who struggle with our mental health, we deserve better.
  
Eat, Drink, Run: How I Got Fit Without Going Too Mad
Eat, Drink, Run: How I Got Fit Without Going Too Mad
Bryony Gordon | 2018 | Health & Fitness
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The blurb describes this book pretty accurately. After meeting The Royals, Bryony accidentally offered to run a marathon for Heads Together charity, who helps people suffering from mental health issues. I really loved how brutally honest and funny this memoir was. Bryony tells the reader the darkest and most shameful events of her life with pride! I think many people can relate to Bryony and her life lessons in one way or another. She openly speaks about her weight, OCD, depression, personal life struggles as well as her achievements with Mental Health Mates, her interview with Prince Harry and finishing the marathon.

Bryony talks a lot about mental health in this book, sometimes it did feel a little bit too much for me. I do understand the importance of it, but it got a little bit repetitive at times. I really liked the way it was written, it feels like an old friend, telling her life story, Bryony is unapologetic and states the facts the way they are. This book carries plenty of foul language, alcohol, strange relationships, and it was an absolute joy to read. 😀 I found the chapters to be a little bit too long for my liking, but because they were really funny, the book didn’t drag to me.

So, to conclude, I know that I learned a lot from Bryony. I learned that many people suffer from mental health issues, even though it is hard to see it with a naked eye. Bryony offers few easy and simple ways how to deal with those pesky demons, and enjoy your life as much as you can. I really enjoyed this memoir, and I hope you will give this book a try when you are looking for some inspiration.
  
The Psychology of Time Travel
The Psychology of Time Travel
Kate Mascarenhas | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Mystery, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.3 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Representation of women (4 more)
Representation of LGBT+
Representation of mental health
Hugely engaging storyline
Innovative concept, executed well
New Favourite Book. Yes, Of All Time.
This book has taken the top spot of my favourite book, possibly ever. I loved the storyline, the concept, the characters and how they developed, how well I could relate as a woman to the characters. Everything wa just incredible.