I’ve really missed doing Friday Favorites, and since no one was currently hosting it, Cait @ Functionally Fictional decided to jump into the gap. Each week, she provides a prompt, and I get to talk about my favorite books that fit the topic. Feel free to join in – the more the merrier!
Since September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to highlight books that include good mental health representation. And I’ve read a few that have some really good depictions of characters with various mental health issues depicted on page. Here are some of my favorites:
- Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray — this story features a MC with anxiety and depression, and I love how it was explored.
- We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon — Quinn has OCD and Tarek has depression, and both issues are addressed beautifully in the story.
- White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson — Mari has anxiety and some elements of OCD after a bedbug infestation, and it was so intriguing to see how it was worked into the story in a sensitive way.
- Mona at Sea by Elizabeth Gonzalez James — this is such an awesome book and features an MC who struggles with self-harm.
- Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert — who can resist a sexy, cinnamon roll with anxiety?
- The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan — I couldn’t resist adding this one to the list, since it has an MC who is a kid with ADHD and ultimately makes it out to be one of his strengths.
What are your favorite books featuring good mental health rep?
Categories: Friday Favorites
Leah's Books 
I feel like I read The Lightning Thief many years ago, but I just can’t really remember, lol! I bet if I crack it open again I’d be like oh yea that’s familiar! I think my favorite books with MH rep are A COURT OF MIST AND FURY, A COURT OF SILVER FLAMES, and Raven Kennedy’s Plated Prisoner series. I personally think those are all written very well with respect to overcoming trauma, gaslighting, and domestic emotional manipulation.
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I haven’t read Kennedy’s series, but it’s on my list. And how could I forget about ACOSF?!
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Yea, Nesta’s healing and inner transformation was a long time coming! As for Raven Kennedy’s series, each book gets better and better. Each book is like a progression of self awareness for the main character. Some of it can feel a little repetitive, but I didn’t mind it. On the other hand, I felt A Taste of Gold and Iron was too circular and so I didn’t enjoy it (which was one of many reasons).
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I’ll keep that in mind when I give them a read! Thanks for the heads up.
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