Best Summer Reads 1: Non-Fiction

The summer holidays often provide us with the time to enjoy a good read, so we asked our counsellors to recommend books that are both enjoyable and thought-provoking for people interested in mental health and well-being.  These are the recommendations we came up with:

Debjani Chatterjee has suggested two self-development books that complement each other nicely, and have been particularly helpful to male clients.  They are “No More Mr Nice Guy” by Dr Robert Glover, and “No More Mr Nice Guy: The Hero’s Journey” by Dr Michael Pariser. 

Debjani says “Dr Glover asks readers to reflect on whether they are ‘people pleasers’, who try to avoid conflict, and in so doing repress some parts of themselves.  The book considers what is a ‘Nice Guy’ as well as possible measures to overcome the ‘Nice Guy’ mindset.  The book also explores masculinity, relationships and self-acceptance.  The other book continues from the point that “No More Mr Nice Guy” ends.  Michael Pariser’s book is a companion the Robert Glovers, but those who only read the second book will still find it very useful.  It’s an easily accessible step-by-step guide on the hero’s journeu to self-discovery, particularly for men.”

Chloe Starbuck suggests “Driven to Distraction” by Edward M Hallowell and John J  Ratey.  Chloe writes “this is a lovely book that explains adult ADHD in such an informative and easy-to-follow way  It has stories of the clients that these talented clinicians have worked with, and it expresses the importance of reflection to improve your self-awareness.”  She adds, “I am loving this book so far, as it reads well for both mental health practitioners and clients.”

Karen Swarbrick has recommended “Staring at the Sun” by Irvin Yalom.  She says “The focus is on mortality and it explores a person’s own realities.”  She adds that it is “really helpful  for people who have anxiety specifically towards death, or health anxiety.”

Sarah Saatzer recommends “Untypical” by Peter Wharmby  as “… a really good book for understanding life from an autistic adult male’s point of view, and for understanding what we can do individually and as a society to be more supporting and inclusive of the autistic people around us.”

Alistair Thain recommends “33 Mediations on Death” by David Jarrett”.  He says “This book explores death from the professional and personal view of an ex-NHS doctor.  It explores ideas of dying, end of  life care, and living with death.  It opens the reader’s eyes to how the end of  life might be for them or  others in their life, and allows the reader to explore their own thoughts on how they wish to live when they are really close to dying. It is a really open and honest view on both the change in NHS practices about death over the decades, and what it means to have a “good” death.”