We live in a divisive world right now. it may seem difficult, perhaps even impossible, to come together as global citizens about anything. but I think there’s one thing most people can agree on, no matter what you think: 2016 sucks. 2016 has been one big stinky garbage fire of a year. 2016 even ruined the wish that 2016 would end, because iin 2017 a man most Americans didn’t vote for is going to be sworn in as president of the united states. so if you feel a sense of hopelessness or loss, here are some books you can read to restore just a little bit of your faith in humanity (or at least, your faith in books).
To be totally honest, I’ve never been much of a “self-help” reader. I’m still not entirely clear on what the word “mindfulness” means. and i have an irrational dislike for elizabeth gilbert (sorry liz i’m sure you’re a good person in real life). but if a book inspires you, then it’s a good book to read. If a book leaves you feeling a little little hopeless, and maybe even hopeful, then it’s a great piece of work. It doesn’t matter if you found it in the self-help section, the fantasy section, or in a puddle on the side of the road.
You are reading: Books to read when you feel hopeless
so here are some books from all genres, to remind you that all is not lost, even when life feels hopeless:
1. the alchemist by paulo coelho
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A shepherd boy travels from Spain to Egypt in search of buried treasure. But that simple synopsis doesn’t even scratch the surface of Coelho’s inspiring fable about the power of dreams (spoiler alert: the treasure is a metaphor). If you need a reminder that dreams matter and that there are still good things in the world, The Alchemist is the book for you.
2. letter to my daughter from maya angelou
See Also: Banned books: Which titles are being targeted and why
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letter to my daughter is a letter from maya angelou to the daughter she never had. but it is also a letter to all her daughters: to all women on earth, of all origins and beliefs. Through essays, memoirs, and poetry, Angelou shares her lifelong wisdom with her many daughters, urging each of them to remain hopeful and live meaningful lives.
3. the little prince by antoine de saint-exupéry
See Also: Banned books: Which titles are being targeted and why
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yes, yes, I know I know that the ending is sad (and that flower is also a terrible girlfriend). But there’s a reason why the little prince is so loved around the world. is a deceptively simple children’s story for adults with its charming fairy tale characters. the lessons he teaches, however, are intended for adults who have forgotten how to get out of their own narrow perspective.
4. barack obama’s audacity of hope
See Also: Banned books: Which titles are being targeted and why
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look i know a lot of us just want to hold on to obama’s leg and beg him not to leave us. but since we can’t make him stay, the best we can do is read his book on hope and reclaiming the american dream, and try to share young obama’s bold hope for the future (but seriously, is there no escape? that allows Obama to remain president for life?).
5. your illustrated guide to becoming one with the universe by yumi sakugawa
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Even if you don’t think of yourself as a meditator, Yumi Sakugawa’s cute and relaxing illustrations will soon lead you to a new sense of inner peace. There’s nothing wrong with taking a moment to take care of yourself and have a heart-to-heart with your inner demons, even in the midst of political conflict. deep breaths.
6. I’m malala from malala yousafzai
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At fifteen, malala yousafzai was shot in the head at close range for daring to go to school. she not only survived, but she kept fighting for her right to her education and she wrote a book just to emphasize the point (and she also won a noble peace award, for good measure). Her fiercely feminist memoir is an inspiration to all young women who want to change the world.
7. cece bell’s deaf
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For fans of graphic memories, the deaf is guaranteed to make you feel good about the world. Based on the actual childhood of Cece Bell (except Cece Bell is not, in fact, a rabbit), The Deaf is the story of a little girl who deals with hearing loss, begins a new school, make friends, and possibly even become a superhero.
8. the life of pi by yann martel
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If you think you’re feeling hopeless right now, wait until you get lost at sea in a lifeboat with an adult Bengal tiger. the life of pi is a novel about how to survive a deadly situation, about the common beliefs that unite all human beings, and about carnivorous islands. but above all, it’s a story about keeping hope alive in the darkest of times.
9. the harry potter
series
See Also: Banned books: Which titles are being targeted and why
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what can I say? I grew up in the Harry Potter generation. hp is the classic hero’s journey, but it’s also a not-so-subtle allegory about defeating fascism through community organizing and civil disobedience. and it is the heartwarming childhood story that first taught us to never lose hope, to always keep fighting, and to trust that there are still good things worth fighting for.
images: mybookbath/instagram
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