I may be biased due to the fact that I got a minor in English Literature in undergrad and have always had a deep love for the written word, but I am a huge believer that literature has a special and powerful ability to transform our lives. The opportunity to relate to different characters, to understand ourselves more through a narrative, explore important life themes in a unique way, gain perspective on critical topics such as virtue and cultural issues, are just a few things literature offers. Some of the most valuable, enduring, important, life-changing lessons that I have learned about life and death, morality, truth, humanity, suffering, love, my own weaknesses, and so much more have been found through great works of literature. Through different narratives and the experiences of characters, we can learn so much about ourselves, our beliefs, behaviors, values and experiences, offering insight and inspiration.

In this list, I have included some of my favorite classics for bibliotherapy, a therapeutic approach that aims to support one’s mental health through narratives. Whether you are interesting in exploring a therapeutic topic more or maybe want to start doing more reading and less scrolling, this list is for you:

Book Recommendations

1. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Brothers Karamazov is arguably the greatest novel ever written. Following the lives of romantic Dmitry, rational Ivan and virtuous Alyosha Karamazov, one of the important themes this novel explores is both the evil and goodness present in every human heart. By examining both the darkness and the light in each character, it dares to ask readers this question: which side will you choose to act on, the darkness or the light? It’s a beautiful commentary on the power of value-based actions, aligning one’s emotions and will toward goodness, examining what true goodness is, how to cope with the seemingly never-ending suffering in the world, a person’s capacity for change, and the power of honesty with oneself. Dostoevsky’s personal experience culminating into this masterpiece is also, in itself, a commentary on how wisdom and beauty can be borne from trials. Throughout his life, Dostoevsky spent 7 years in a Siberian labor camp, struggled with gambling addiction, experienced a tumultuous marriage and had to wrestle with the grief of the passing of his son, which ultimately led him to write The Brothers Karamazov in response to his grief. He was not a man devoid of sorrow, and his deep understanding of suffering, grief and morality makes this novel an enduring classic.

2. The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Grey is a novel that centers around the character Dorian Grey, a very physically attractive young man who becomes obsessed with preserving his physical appearance, eventually leading him to utterly disregard his morality and values. This novel is a poignant and moving expose about the dangers of intense focus on physical appearance and maintaining youth, particularly at the expense of morality, a theme becoming all too common in our era of “looksmaxxing.” Additionally, it forces readers to examine where Dorian is getting his narratives/messages about life from and, therefore, what societal or personal narratives one is listening to and acting on. This causes us to examine in our own lives, especially during this time ruled by social media, these questions: where am I getting my messages from about topics concerning life, the worth of a person, the purpose of living, love and beauty, and are these narratives that I choose to listen to helpful or unhelpful for pursuing true values-based actions?

3. A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass’ was a Black man born in Maryland into slavery in the 1800s, eventually escaping North, and through education and literacy, became a prominent abolitionist. In his autobiography, Frederick Douglass details the brutality and evil of slavery in the south, yet displays extraordinary resilience by eventually becoming an enduring voice for change. This is a ground-breaking book that explores the harm of oppression and racism with unflinching honesty, while empowering readers in the transformative nature of education, the power of pursuing truth, the courage to fight for what is right, and the value of understanding ourselves not through the lens of evil or untrue narratives, but rather through the truth of the inherent dignity and worth of every human person.

4. A Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Viktor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist who was a Holocaust survivor. He is also the inventor of logotherapy, a school of psychotherapy that speaks about how the primary aim of life is to find meaning, rather than simply find pleasure. This book has been a powerful and encouraging source of inspiration for people all over the world, offering valuable insights into themes such as what it means to be human, radical acceptance, resilience and focusing on the factors within each of our control. Frankl’s insights, borne out of intense suffering and trauma, offers real hope that trauma and encounters with evil do not have to have the final say.

5. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre is a young woman in 19th century England, who experienced abuse, neglect and grief in her childhood, as well as experiencing poverty, heartbreak and loneliness throughout her life. Yet despite these challenges, Jane displays traits of independence, an understanding of her own dignity and individuality, forgiveness and deep understanding of morality. Although this book was written almost 200 years ago, this enduring classic offers a cathartic and moving experience of the power of the human spirit, allows readers to explore their own experiences with hardships such as loss or loneliness, and reflect on the power of choosing goodness and virtue, even when things don’t seem to make sense.

6. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

In this novel, Austen explores the lives of Eleanor and Marianne Dashwood, as they navigate life as young women in regency England. Austen wrote this novel as a critique of the culture at the time, which was marked by intense romanticism at the expense of rationality. These two sisters act as a microcosm of the culture at large, Eleanor being reasonable, sensible, objective and stoic, and Marianne being romantic, passionate and driven by her intense emotions. The classic piece explores themes of following emotion versus values, emotion regulation, grief and heartbreak, what love truly is, and personal growth as the two sisters live and learn throughout the challenges they face.

Final Thoughts

The hope is that one (or all!) of these books can offer insight, perspective and growth through their enduring narratives and characters. Yet, regardless of whether one of these six books are chosen or not, the hope is that this article can inspire you to view books not merely as a source of entertainment, but also inspiration, a chance to grow in wisdom and compassion, and an opportunity to gain more understanding. Additionally, if you are interested in exploring more blog posts from Optimum Joy that are similar to this one, see the list below. Happy reading!

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