Here are some books I loved reading in 2024. While not all of them are directly related to mental health, they each offered valuable insights into different lived experiences, expanding my understanding of the world and the people in it.
Reading Lolita in Tehran – Azar Nafisi
A powerful memoir about life under an oppressive political regime and the refuge found in literature. A reminder of how, even in the most restrictive circumstances, people carve out spaces for themselves and others.
How to Understand Your Gender – Alex Iantaffi & Meg-John Barker
An insightful introduction for anyone curious about or questioning their gender, offering a compassionate and accessible guide to self-exploration.
When the Body Says No – Gabor Maté
A compelling look at the connection between chronic stress, trauma, and physical illness, emphasising the necessity of self-awareness and healing.
I Don’t Want to Talk About It – Terrence Real
A deep dive into male depression, unpacking the cultural and emotional barriers that make it difficult for many men to acknowledge and address their struggles.
Good Girls – Hadley Freeman
A deeply personal account of anorexia, explored through both an individual and a broader social and historical lens.
The Best Minds – Jonathan Rosen
A gripping, heartbreaking exploration of schizophrenia through the lens of friendship, while also examining how public attitudes and policies around mental illness have shifted over the decades.
The Half of It – Emma Slade Edmondson & Nicole Ocran
A thoughtful reflection on mixed-race identity, exploring both the challenges and joys of belonging to multiple cultural heritages.
A Stranger in Your Own City – Ghaith Abdul-Ahad
A firsthand account of the wars in Iraq over the past two decades, told by an Iraqi architect-turned-journalist who captures the resilience of those living through conflict.
Waiting to Be Arrested at Night – Tahir Hamut Izgil
A harrowing memoir about life under extreme surveillance in Xinjiang and the painful experience of being forced to leave one’s home and community.
Qian Yang 