Can I list more than 3? Pretty please? There are so many amazing books that have helped me. Here's a partial list.
1. The Centre Cannot Hold by Elyn Saks. The story of living with Schizophrenia by a Law Professor.
2. Matthew Flander's Cat by Bryce Courtenay. The story of a street alcoholic who finds motivation to get sober in befriending a street kid. I read this book repeatedly when I was first getting sober.
3. The Blue Castle, by Lucy Maude Montgomery. This kept me going as a teenager and I still read it occassionally. Story of a woman who bucks family and societal convention to follow her own dreams. Stereotypically happy ending but a good read nonetheless.
4. For Coloured Girls Who Have Considered Suicide 'Cause the Rainbow Ain't Enuf. It's a play. Sorry I can't remember the author, but I read in my 20's in College and it's stuck with me. It's basically about finding God within yourself.
5. Wherever You Go, There You are. By Jon Kabbat Zin. Short vignettes on Mindfullnes. I frequently carry it around in my purse. I'm a huge believer in Mindfulness and try to practice it as much as possible.
6. Sane, by Marya Hornbacher. The only sensible book I've ever read about dealing with a mental illness and and addiction using the 12 steps - it helped me come to terms with the 12 steps a lot.
7. Broken by William Cope Myers. His story of addiction and recovery - very honestly written.
8. First Year Sobriety: When all that Changes is Everything. Again sorry I can't think of the author but a good guide to some of the emotional upheaval you experience in early sobriety.
9. The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brene Brown. Talks about letting go of shame and perfectionism, quite well written.
10. April Fool's Day, Bryce Courtney. This one is a little hard to get a hold of in Canada. It was out of print, but Penguin recently re-released it. It's one of the most moving books I've ever read, although it's terribly sad. It's the true story of Courtney's son who was a haemopheliac, and who contracted Aids through tainted blood donations in the early 80's.
Ok I'll stop now - that's what I can think of off the top of my head.
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