Our Favorite Books About Mental Health Written by Female Authors
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we would love to share some of our favorite books written about mental health by female authors. By no means is this an exhaustive list – there are so many incredible works, from memoirs to fiction and everything in between!
Here are our top 10 favorite books by female authors:
Autism in Heels: The Untold Story of a Female Life on the Spectrum by Jennifer Cooke
Unparalleled in its invitational, familiar candor around her personal journey, this book has inspired thousands of women with similar challenges to explore autism spectrum conditions.
Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr. Julie Smith
This comprehensive toolkit is considered to be the modern guide to building resilience, and great insight into everyday challenges like building self-confidence and finding motivation. No 1 Sunday Times bestseller!
An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield
A brilliant examination of her mental health as a doctor and a patient, this book is truly inspiring. A simple and eloquent review of this book – ‘It stands alone in the for its bravery, brilliance, and beauty.’ Oliver Sacks
A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic Depressive Illness by Patty Duke & Barbara Kochman
Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke wrote about her tumultuous journey through life living with bipolar disorder (then called “manic depression.”) An empathic and compassionate approach, this book offers insight from Patty herself working with medical reporter Barbara Hochman to educate and explore ideas around mental health.
Willow Weep For Me by Meri Nana-Ama Danquah
An exceptional memoir, this story is told fearlessly, calling on other women to step out of the shadows. Her story also addresses cultural differences around depression and identity.
Lucky by Alice Sebold
A tragic and poignant memoir about her own experience as an eighteen-year-old student who was assaulted on campus. Her goal in sharing her own story was to inspire others to do the same. Award-winning author of The Lovely Bones.
Changing My Mind by Margaret Trudeau
Margaret has led a fascinating life and her eloquent memoir touches on her struggles with mental health in the public eye as a wife and mother of prominent politicians.
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
A stunning debut novel written by a neuroscientist – the story of Alice Howland is fictitious. However, this book brought a lot of attention to the heartbreaking reality of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Starving In Search Of Me by Marissa LaRocca
Exploring the complex relationship between mental health, body image, and eating disorders, Marissa writes about her first-hand experience struggling with identity, control, and self-esteem.
The Evolution of a Girl by L.E. Bowman
This striking collection of both poetry and prose talks about transformation, rebirth, and the value of self-acceptance.
