Task 24: Read a Book with a Main Character Who Has a Mental Illness

[Bonnie G.]

Travis wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I've had Still Alice sat on the shelf for a couple of months."

Great book."

Still Alice is about dementia, not mental illness.

[Nadine in California]

I read The Incarnations by Susan Barker for this challenge.

[Ale]

Do you guys reckon Moab Is My Washpot would count? Fry has bipolar disorder, but this isn't a work of fiction, it's a memoir/autobiography. There are other picks I could make, but I'm keen on reading more nonfiction this year as it is and it would be great if one of the books could also fit this challenge/topic.

[Bea]

Although "main character" implies fiction, the task does not specifically state fiction, and I think you could make a point that the primary subject of a memoir/autobiography is the "main character". I think the key is the metal illness issue.

In reading the description on GR, I do not see mental illness in the description, so I would say NO.

[Ale]

Hi Bea, thanks for the reply. It doesn't mention the exact words mental illness, but it does contain: " attempted suicide", so I feel it would fit. I'll read it anyway and then see whether it qualifies enough for the task.

Otherwise, I'll just pick something different (like Girl, Interrupted for example).

[Bea]

Ale wrote: "Hi Bea, thanks for the reply. It doesn't mention the exact words mental illness, but it does contain: " attempted suicide", so I feel it would fit. I'll read it anyway and then see whether it quali..."

OK. I think you could say that "attempted suicide" equates to depression, which is a mental illness. Go for it.

[Bonnie G.]

Ale wrote: "Do you guys reckon Moab Is My Washpot would count? Fry has bipolar disorder, but this isn't a work of fiction, it's a memoir/autobiography. There are other picks I could make, but I'm ..."

This was discussed early in the thread and BR said nonfiction is fine.

[Travis]

I'm having a hard time with this # because I've already had depression and tried to commit suicide and really don't feel like reading a book about it. I'd like to read a book about a maniac but those seem to be thrillers, also not my favorite genre. I'd like to recommend Dirty Little Secret by Ormolulu which was about a teen with a hoarder mom. I think I'll read Randy Frost's "Stuff" although it's nonfiction.

[Bonnie G.]

Travis wrote: "I'm having a hard time with this # because I've already had depression and tried to commit suicide and really don't feel like reading a book about it. I'd like to read a book about a maniac but tho..."

You might like The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry. Its fascinating and funny, and not likely to be a trigger of any sort. Also if you want a novel you might like Addition. The main character has OCD.

[Travis]

Thanks! I read the Sociopath Next Door years ago and loved it. I'll request this.

The Psychopath Test was very funny and enlightening, but only as a book about (soft) science. No main character, really. But I'm very glad I read it.

[nukie19]

Looking through what I read earlier in the year, I was thinking that Harriet Wolf's Seventh Book of Wonders: A Novel might fit the bill. Anyone else read it and think the same thing? They never come out and say that the characters have agoraphobia, but it sure felt that way to me.

[NancyWithABook]

Travis wrote: "I'm having a hard time with this # because I've already had depression and tried to commit suicide and really don't feel like reading a book about it. I'd like to read a book about a maniac but tho..."

You are not alone.. I was in a bad low... I read 'Furiously Happy' by Jenny Lawson and I LAUGHED my full head off... it was perfect. She also has 'Let's Pretend this Never Happened' its ok... but not quit as funny,

[jillannjohn]

I read Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things for this task.

[Paula]

I'm reading The Bell Jar- read it many years ago so am counting it as new ;-) particularly as now I'm reading it as a mental health professional so I'm finding I have a new perspective on it.

[Elizabeth]

Elizabeth wrote: "I am reading Home by Toni Morrison. I'm fairly certain this counts for this task--I've only just started it, so I'm not positive. My understanding is that the main character has PTS..."
I read this and it was quite good, would recommend for fans of Morrison's work.

[Martha]

I'm reading A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy. I decided to pair it with Andrew Solomon's Far from the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity for a book group since he interviewed the Klebolds in his book, and find that Sue Klebold's book fits this category.

[Beka]

I'm reading Still Alice. I haven't finished it yet, but I'm more than halfway done with it and I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would.

[Beka]

Nancy wrote: "You are not alone.. I was in a bad low... I read 'Furiously Happy' by Jenny Lawson and I LAUGHED my full head off... it was perfect. She also has 'Let's Pretend this Never Happened' its ok... but not quit as funny."

I love Jenny Lawson! Her blog (The Bloggess) is one of the best things out there! Makes me laugh every time I read it!

[Bonnie G.]

I just started Madness: A Bipolar Life. So far it is graphic, and honest, and fascinating, but as one would expect it is a very hard read.

ETA: I read this a while ago and really recommend it. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carolyn]

I'm listening to A Mother's Reckoning, interesting so far. Best book on Columbine is Columbine by Dave Cullen. He explores all the things we get wrong after one of these tragedies. We like to make people "other" sometimes so we can believe these tragedies can't happen to us.

[Bonnie G.]

Carolyn wrote: "I'm listening to A Mother's Reckoning, interesting so far. Best book on Columbine is Columbine by Dave Cullen. He explores all the things we get wrong after one of these tragedies. We like to make ..."

Columbine was AMAZING!

[Liz]

I just read Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things. So funny!

It reminds me of Hyperbole and a Half - she has mental health issues but is so funny about how she writes about them.

[Britta]

I have read one of the MBI2016-nominees for this challenge: The Vegetarian. Quite grim, I have to say...

[Cheri]

I read Ablutions by Patrick DeWitt. I loved The Sisters Brothers. Ablutions was much, much darker. A descent into alcoholism and the various troubles that can come along with it.

[Danielle]

I highly recommend Challenger Deep if you are looking for a YA book to fit this challenge. Make sure to read the "Author's Note" at the end though.

[Danielle]

Apparently, I am just unintentionally reading all these books with characters that have a mental illness! Everything, Everything would count because a secondary character (but very important to the story) has a mental illness. It is also a super quick read.

[Mary]

Since I have seen group works and autism, I chose Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome by Rudy Simone. The author talks about her life and those of other women.

[Bonnie G.]

Mary wrote: "Since I have seen group works and autism, I chose Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome by Rudy Simone. The author talks about her life and those of ..."

Asperger's is not a mental illness.

[Mary]

Bonnie wrote: "Mary wrote: "Since I have seen group works and autism, I chose Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome by Rudy Simone. The author talks about her life ..."

I apologize. I was going off of the use of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time being repeatedly used in this group.

[Bonnie G.]

Mary wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Mary wrote: "Since I have seen group works and autism, I chose Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome by Rudy Simone. The author talks ..."

Sorry, I did not mean to sound snippy or to be the Book Riot police! I have commented on the people using Curious Incident too. People tend not to distinguish between neurological and mental illnesses, but at least for now there is a difference. The more they find out about organic causes for mental illness the grayer the area becomes, but for now they are distinct.

[Leigh]

Jenna wrote: "I read The Girl on the Train for this task. The main character is an alcoholic."

Lianne wrote: "Any thoughts on The Girl on the Train for this one? For some reason the psychological thriller genre makes me think it's kind of a cop-out but there's definitely depression and alc..."

So glad to see some others mentioning this book. I'm currently reading it and wanted to use this one for my mental illness book. I asked my co-worker (an MD) if alcoholism qualifies as a mental illness. His response that alcoholism is part mental and part genetic and that yes, someone that is a practicing alcoholic does have a mental illness. Counting it!

[Bonnie G.]

Leigh wrote: "Jenna wrote: "I read The Girl on the Train for this task. The main character is an alcoholic."

Lianne wrote: "Any thoughts on The Girl on the Train for this one? For some reason t..."

Addiction is generally considered a mental illness (I work for a human services nonprofit, and our addiction recovery services are part of our counseling division.) But, you could also use this book because the protagonist is pretty clearly suffering from clinical depression.

[Leigh]

Bonnie wrote: "Leigh wrote: "Jenna wrote: "I read The Girl on the Train for this task. The main character is an alcoholic."

Lianne wrote: "Any thoughts on The Girl on the Train for this one? For..."

Thanks, Bonnie!

[Lissa Mascio]

An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness
I just finished reading an Unquiet Mind. This was a quick and fascinating read for anyone who has been affected by manic depressive illness - themselves or family. My mother has severe manic depression and this was eye opening. I highly recommend it.

[Bonnie G.]

Lissa Mascio wrote: "An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness
I just finished reading an Unquiet Mind. This was a quick and fascinating read for anyone who has been affected by manic depressive illn..."

Agreed! Wonderful book. My late best friend had rapid cycling bi-polar disorder, and several other important people in my life are living with other forms of the illness. This book really helped me to truly understand what they deal with. I am reading Madness: A Bipolar Life and it is also fantastic.

[Trudie]

I selected Norwegian Woodfor this task as several of the main characters suffer mental illness /depression, although you could argue not the main character. I do feel like I got an insight into mental states and in a very unique Murakami way. It's not an easy read for many reasons. My review

[Bonnie G.]

Trudie wrote: "I selected Norwegian Woodfor this task as several of the main characters suffer mental illness /depression, although you could argue not the main character. I do feel like I got an ins..."

My favorite Murakami ever, until the last paragraph. A girl wants a little closure....

[Gwen S.]

Task 24: Completed!

My selection for a novel with someone who has a mental illness, was " The Vecellio Connection" by Estelle Ryan. The super villain, Gallo, again, along with the psychopathic Vernet Brothers, plan on destroying not only Asperger's affected Genevieve Lenard and her group, but the world leaders at a conference. Not only does he employ one method of destruction, but two. The second method involved the murder of the staff and the patients at a hospital. This novel was worth the angst and months of anticipation incurred while awaiting its release. Highly recommend reading this is you are into governmental espionage, sabotage, and Asperger's!

[Jamie]

I read Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig. His battle with depression is profound and his story really struck a chord with me.

[Stina]

Would Darkly Dreaming Dexter count? Dexter is never specifically identified as having a mental illness, but the guy is obviously not right in the head.

[Ashley]

Christina wrote: "Would Darkly Dreaming Dexter count? Dexter is never specifically identified as having a mental illness, but the guy is obviously not right in the head."

Hi Christina! You're absolutely right in terms of Dexter being "not right in the head". I think it's safe to say he has an Axis II disorder - likely Antisocial Personality Disorder (I work in mental health, just fyi). While I'm sure this task was assigned to help us understand the ins and outs of more "conventional" mental health disorders, I would think a Personality disorder still counts! I happened to binge on the show when it came to Netflix a couple years ago and was thoroughly entertained!

[Mary]

Though not the main focus of the book, in Lab Girl Hope Jahren discusses how manic depression effected her life and work.

[[deleted user]]

Would a main character with dementia count as im not sure if its classed as a mental disorder

[Amanda]

Do non-fiction books count? I read "A mother's reckoning," by Susan Klebold, mother of Columbine shooter Dylan Klebold. The book extensively talks about mental health through the lens of Dylan's depression and anxiety.
?

[Martha]

Amanda wrote: "Do non-fiction books count? I read "A mother's reckoning," by Susan Klebold, mother of Columbine shooter Dylan Klebold. The book extensively talks about mental health through the lens of Dylan's de..."

Nonfiction does count and I counted A Mother's Reckoning as my book for this category.

[Carolyn]

I read A Mother's Rececking as well, what a powerful book! I read Dave Cullen's Columbine when it came out. Great read on how often in a tragedy the fog of "first" reporting gets things wrong...

[Travis]

Jodie wrote: "Would a main character with dementia count as im not sure if its classed as a mental disorder"

Illness, isn't it?

[Patty]

Would "Best Boy" by Eli Gottlieb count?

"Sent to a “therapeutic community” for autism at the age of eleven, Todd Aaron, now in his fifties, is the “Old Fox” of Payton LivingCenter. A joyous man who rereads the encyclopedia compulsively, he is unnerved by the sudden arrivals of a menacing new staffer and a disruptive, brain-injured roommate. His equilibrium is further worsened by Martine, a one-eyed new resident who has romantic intentions and convinces him to go off his meds to feel “normal” again. Undone by these pressures, Todd attempts an escape to return “home” to his younger brother and to a childhood that now inhabits only his dreams. Written astonishingly in the first-person voice of an autistic, adult man, Best Boy―with its unforgettable portraits of Todd’s beloved mother, whose sweet voice still sings from the grave, and a staffer named Raykene, who says that Todd “reflects the beauty of His creation”―is a piercing, achingly funny, finally shattering novel no reader can ever forget."


http://www.amazon.com/Best-Boy-Novel-...

[Bonnie G.]

Patty wrote: "Would "Best Boy" by Eli Gottlieb count?

"Sent to a “therapeutic community” for autism at the age of eleven, Todd Aaron, now in his fifties, is the “Old Fox” of Payton LivingCenter. A joyous man w..."

Autism Spectrum Disorders are developmental disabilities, not mental illnesses.

[Bonnie G.]

Travis wrote: "Jodie wrote: "Would a main character with dementia count as im not sure if its classed as a mental disorder"

Illness, isn't it?"

Dementia, whatever its genesis, is a neurological symptom not a mental illness.