This TBR will go across a couple months, but I’m trying to focus more on books where mental health is represented, and these are some of the ones I want to start with, I’m especially looking for books with female-identified or gender non-conforming narrators because the story on many conditions (especially autism) is overwhelmingly male.
1)Give and Take
Elly Swartz did such a good job with Finding Perfect, I want to see her take on another mental health issue, hoarding. When Maggie’s parents become temporary guardians to a baby from foster care, Maggie’s need to hoard spirals out of control. I’m interested to see how this compares to Finding Perfect.
To see my review of Finding Perfect look here: Finding Perfect Review
2)The Someday Birds
Another book about mental health, this one about OCD and autism, both of which I have so I’ll be happy to do another #ownvoices review. Twelve-year-old Charlie, who is autistic and has OCD has to travel cross country with his siblings and a strange babysitter to visit his father who is about to have brain surgery.
I hope this will be another good take on OCD, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this author deals with an autistic narrator. I have high hopes but low expectations because I’ve yet to see an author deal with autism properly. Which I suppose means I need to read more #ownvoices autistic authors.
3)On the Edge of Gone
Sixteen-year-old Denise, who is autistic must survive the end of the world with her neglectful mother and try to find her missing sister as they find space upon a generational ship where they aren’t supposed to be. Deals with the issues of who deserves to be saved at the end of the world. I’ve heard lots of good things about this book so I’m hopeful.
4)Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse
This book has two narrators, Jesse, who is autistic and her friend Springer, the two are trying to solve a mystery related after Springer’s father is accused of stealing. It also happens during post-tornado cleanup efforts. The autistic narrator is female and has what I believe is an emotional support animal her pomeranian.
Amazon: Me and Sam-Sam Handle the Apocalypse
5)The Goldfish Boy
I’m going to give this book a chance, but I’m not super happy with the ableist language in the description where the narrator is described as ’emotionally crippled’ by his OCD. I’m not saying OCD can’t be debilitating, however, it doesn’t bode well for the viewpoint of the book. The plot revolves around teenage Matthew who rarely leaves his room due to his condition, yet may be the key to solving a mystery of a missing neighbor due to his people watching.
I also have to point out that the protagonists as far as I know for all the novels are white, it doesn’t surprise me but there is a definite representation problem within the disability community.
If anyone has more diverse picks containing mental health issues please shoot them my way.
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels
Another book suggestion, isn’t so much mental health but regards disability is Meet Me in Outer Space by Melinda Grace, it’s an #ownvoices work as the main character has Auditory Processing Disorder. It is a contemperary new adult romance, and I haven’t read it (it’s been on my TBR for a while) but I’ve heard it’s good, especially as there are hardly any books about this disability. I have it myself so I was close to tears when I heard there’s a book about it, and the sample made me tear up a bit because I got it.
Oh that’s interesting. I wish I read that genre, because you’re totally right you don’t see that disorder represented at all. If you read it please tell me how it is!