Suffering is universal, whether it is being diagnosed with a chronic illness, being overworked from the many assignments that have been offered, or your significant breaking up with you. We are all susceptible to the pain and afflictions of life, which is why finding support is an integral and vital part of life. Hope is the most critical ability demanded to survive as it is the ability to see the present and future in more ways than one. It is the chance to see the good in the bad, the love in the hate, and the joy in sadness. If you are struggling to cope, we have compiled a list of books to bring hope to your doorstep:
1. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
“It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.” –The Goblet of Fire
J.K. Rowling’s classic series, Harry Potter, follows the adventures of Harry Potter, Hermine Granger, and Ron Weasley in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and their fight against the main antagonist, Lord Voldemort. The series is seen as a beacon of hope due to its nostalgia and value, the relatability of the main characters, and the author’s creativity with its many nuances and complex plots. It is also recognized as a pop culture symbol owing to its widespread fanbase and the fantasy-driven world, making it a perfect read for those struggling to cope with the many hardships life may offer them.
2. Looking for Alaska by John Green
“What you must understand about me is that I’m a deeply unhappy person.”
A gem of coming-of-age tales, the story centers on the protagonist Miles “Pudge” Halter and his transfer to Culver Creek because of Francois Rabelais’s last words: “I go to seek a Great Perhaps.” There, he is introduced to the enigmatic and emotionally unstable Alaska Young, who changes his life for the better and worse. The book focuses on the meaning of life, grief, and the teenage moments one may experience and hope, philosophy, and pain, making it a good read for those looking for a sad yet hopeful tale of the labyrinth of suffering.
3. Going… Going… by Jack Weaver
“It’s all here: their lives, their love, and their lies.”
Jack Weaver’s book about Alzheimer’s disease is a must-read for people struggling with illnesses due to its poignant and faithful account of a person’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. The book follows Jack and Janey as one commences a fifteen-year struggle with the disease and the many trials and tribulations they have experienced together throughout the adventure. This book is the epitome of hope, love, and truth, and this book will surely touch the hearts of readers and inspire them to live life to the fullest.
4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
“Suddenly, I saw things differently, and because I saw differently, I thought differently, I felt differently, I behaved differently.”
The classic self-help book familiar, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is excellent for those who need help in finding a new perspective in life while offering helpful advice in the form of “true north” principles for readers who are aiming to find the sustainable balance and improvement necessary to become a more efficient person.
5. Atomic Habits by James Clear
“You should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than with your current results.”
Similar to The 7 Habits book, Atomic Habits serves as a guide to building good habits and breaking bad ones. It concerns itself, not with the formation of goals, but diverting our attention to small, minuscule habits or “atomic habits” and improving our daily routines and systems to create a structured life. It is an excellent read for those looking for a manual in creating good habits and encouragement towards the inception of an improved life.