Books That Explore the Depths of Existence
Dive into these profound reads that tackle the complexities of life, mortality, and the human experience. Each book offers a unique perspective that resonates with those seeking meaning amidst suffering. Let these stories guide you through your thoughts and feelings, reminding you that you are not alone.
Man S Search For Meaning
124 pages
This book is a profound exploration of finding purpose in life, especially during tough times. It really helped me when I was feeling aimless and depressed, and I think it could do the same for others.
The Myth of Sisyphus And Other Essays
226 pages
This book tackles profound philosophical questions about life and suicide, and it can be incredibly helpful for those grappling with similar feelings.
Existential Psychotherapy
708 pages
An academic yet accessible read that delves into the harsh realities of life, exploring how therapists can help patients process the meaninglessness of existence.
The Ethics of Ambiguity
101 pages
It's a short, beautiful book that explores what ethics would look like in a life that feels ultimately meaningless.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
306 pages
This profound and beautiful book discusses characters grappling with the weight of life's meaninglessness, ultimately conveying a hopeful yet honest perspective on existence.
A Man Called Ove
368 pages
This book is a bright light in dark times, offering warmth and humor that can uplift anyone's spirits.
Future Primal
730 pages
This book explores deep themes of identity and self-discovery, challenging the notion that it's merely depressing. It's a profound journey for those feeling lost.
When Breath Becomes Air (Indonesian Edition)
249 pages
Pada usia ketiga puluh enam, Paul Kalanithi merasa suratan nasibnya berjalan dengan begitu sempurna. Paul hampir saja menyelesaikan masa pelatihan luar biasa panjangnya sebagai ahli bedah saraf selama sepuluh tahun. Beberapa rumah sakit dan universitas ternama telah menawari posisi penting yang diimpikannya selama ini. Penghargaan nasional pun telah diraihnya. Dan kini, Paul hendak kembali menata ikatan pernikahannya yang merenggang, memenuhi peran sebagai sosok suami yang ia janjikan. Akan tetapi, secara tiba-tiba, kanker mencengkeram paru-parunya, melumpuhkan organ-organ penting dalam tubuhnya. Seluruh masa depan yang direncanakan Paul seketika menguap. Pada satu hari ia adalah seorang dokter yang menangani orang-orang yang sekarat, tetapi pada hari berikutnya, ia adalah pasien yang mencoba bertahan hidup. Apa yang membuat hidup berharga dan bermakna, mengingat semua akan sirna pada akhirnya? Apa yang Anda lakukan saat masa depan tak lagi menuntun pada cita-cita yang diidamkan, melainkan pada masa kini yang tanpa akhir? Apa artinya memiliki anak, merawat kehidupan baru saat kehidupan lain meredup? When Breath Becomes Air akan membawa kita bergelut pada pertanyaan-pertanyaan penting tentang hidup dan seberapa layak kita diberi pilihan untuk menjalani kehidupan. [Mizan, Bentang Pustaka, Memoar, Biografi, Kisah, Medis, Terjemahan, Indonesia]
The Martian
385 pages
This book is really funny and scientifically fascinating, and the story of a guy fighting for his life can inspire you to fight for yours.
The Way of Kings
1284 pages
This book delves deep into the struggles of its main character, who battles with overwhelming guilt and suicidal thoughts, making it a profound exploration of mental health.
How Not to Kill Yourself
This book is practical and offers useful insights, making it a great read for those who might struggle with negative thoughts.
The Bell Jar
246 pages
This book is painfully relatable for anyone dealing with suicidal thoughts and depression, making it a powerful read for those who understand these struggles.
Maude
This book tells the incredible story of Maude, who faced immense challenges throughout her life, including the Flu Pandemic, the Dust Bowl, and WWII. Her resilience and determination to keep trying every day serve as a powerful reminder that we can overcome our own struggles.
Furiously Happy
352 pages
This book is a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of mental health, showcasing how laughter can be a powerful tool in dealing with life's challenges.
No Mud, No Lotus
117 pages
Thich Nhat Hanh does a wonderful job of teaching how to embrace suffering and transform it into happiness. His teachings have truly changed my life.
Seneca's Letters from a Stoic
483 pages
Seneca's Letters from a Stoic offers profound insights that can provide comfort during tough times.
Veronika beschließt zu sterben
224 pages
This book delves deeply into the themes of life and purpose, making it a thought-provoking read that resonates with those exploring their own existence.
Anxious People
352 pages
A wonderfully uplifting read that brings light to challenging moments, making it a must-read for those seeking comfort.
A Long Way Down
369 pages
“One New Year’s Eve, four people with very different reasons but a common purpose find their way to the top of a fifteen-story building in London. None of them has calculated that, on a date humans favor for acts of significance, in a place known as a local suicide-jumpers’ favorite, they might encounter company. A Long Way Down is the story of what happens next, and of what doesn’t.” —The New York Times Book Review A wise, affecting novel from the beloved, award-winning author of Dickens and Prince, Funny Girl and High Fidelity Nick Hornby mines the hearts and psyches of four lost souls who connect just when they’ve reached the end of the line. In four distinct and riveting first-person voices, Hornby tells a story of four individuals confronting the limits of choice, circumstance, and their own mortality. This is a tale of connections made and missed, punishing regrets, and the grace of second chances.
Discourses (Books 3 and 4)
130 pages
Epictetus' Discourses are filled with wisdom that can help navigate life's challenges.
The Light the Dead See
132 pages
Between 1972, when he published his first book, The Signing Knives, and 1978, when he died at the age of twenty-nine, Frank Stanford published seven volumes of poetry. Within a year of his death, two posthumous collections were published. At the time of this death, as Leon Stokesbury asserts in his introduction, "Stanford was the best poet in America under the age of thirty-five." The Light the Dead See collects the best work from those nine volumes and six previously unpublished poems. In the earlier poems, Stanford creates a world where he could keep childhood alive, deny time and mutability, and place a version of himself at the center of great myth and drama. Later, the denial of time and mutability gives way to an obsessive and familiar confrontation with death. Although Stanford paid an enormous price for his growing familiarity with Death as a presence, the direct address to that presence is a source of much of the striking originality and stunning power in the poetry.
A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius
440 pages
"Exhilarating…Profoundly moving, occasionally angry, and often hilarious...A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is, finally, a finite book of jest, which is why it succeeds so brilliantly" (The New York Times Book Review). A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is the unique, moving memoir of a college senior who, in the space of five weeks, loses both of his parents to cancer and inherits his eight-year-old brother. In his distinctive style unlike any other memoir, Egger's story is an exhilarating debut that manages to be simultaneously hilarious and wildly inventive, as well as a deeply heartfelt story of the love that holds a family together.
The Way of Kings
1008 pages
This book is a must-read because it features a powerful scene where a character, on the verge of suicide, is brought back to life by a simple question. It’s a chilling and dramatic moment that really resonates, making you reflect on the value of trying one more time even after losing everything.
Be Here Now
418 pages
This book also emphasizes living in the present, which resonates deeply with my experiences.
The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
428 pages
This book helped me find purpose in the present moment, especially while dealing with chronic illness.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
This book is amazing and often recommended for its relatable portrayal of depression and its laugh-out-loud moments.
Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It
240 pages
This book is worth exploring as it offers valuable insights on self-love and personal growth, which can be incredibly helpful for anyone going through tough times.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
268 pages
Spellbound before his own portrait, Dorian Gray utters a fateful wish. In exchange for eternal youth he gives his soul, to be corrupted by the malign influence of his mentor, the aesthete and hedonist Lord Henry Wotton.
Siddhartha
121 pages
This book helped me gain perspective on life's complexities, emphasizing that every truth has its opposite and encouraging a broader view of existence. It teaches that life may seem void, but it's up to you to fill it with meaning.
SAPIENS - Eine kurze Geschichte der Menschheit
533 pages
The Sapiens trilogy by Yuval Noah Harari is a transformative read that can profoundly impact your perspective on humanity and our history.
Meditations
258 pages
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Meditations offers a glimpse into [Marcus Aurelius’s] mind, his habits, and his approach to life. . . . I think any reader would find something useful to take away from it.”—James Clear, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Atomic Habits “To me, this is the greatest book ever written. . . . It is the definitive text on self-discipline, personal ethics, humility, self-actualization, and strength. . . . If you’re going to read it, you absolutely have to go with the Gregory Hays translation.”—Ryan Holiday, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Obstacle Is the Way “It is unbelievable to see how the emperor’s words have stood the test of time. . . . Read a page or two anytime you feel like the world is too much.”—Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Wall Street Journal Nearly two thousand years after it was written, Meditations remains profoundly relevant for anyone seeking to lead a meaningful life. Your ability to control your thoughts—treat it with respect. It’s all that protects your mind from false perceptions—false to your nature, and that of all rational beings. A series of spiritual exercises filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behavior, Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. With bite-size insights and advice on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others, Meditations has become required reading not only for statesmen and philosophers alike, but also for generations of readers who responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style. In Gregory Hays’s translation—the first in nearly four decades—Marcus’s thoughts speak with a new immediacy. In fresh and unencumbered English, Hays vividly conveys the spareness and compression of the original Greek text. Never before have Marcus’s insights been so directly and powerfully presented. With an Introduction that outlines Marcus’s life and career, the essentials of Stoic doctrine, the style and construction of the Meditations, and the work’s ongoing influence, this edition makes it possible to fully rediscover the thoughts of one of the most enlightened and intelligent leaders of any era.
The Martian
It's an empowering read about a man's relentless struggle to survive on Mars, showcasing determination and ingenuity.
Post Office
162 pages
This novel captures the struggles of everyday life with humor and grit, making it relatable and uplifting.
Reaper Man
354 pages
Reaper Man offers a unique blend of fantasy and thought-provoking themes, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the deeper questions of life and death.
The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition
320 pages
A beloved classic—the original book on happiness, with new material from His Holiness the Dalai Lama Nearly every time you see him, he's laughing, or at least smiling. And he makes everyone else around him feel like smiling. He's the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, a Nobel Prize winner, and a hugely sought-after speaker and statesman. Why is he so popular? Even after spending only a few minutes in his presence you can't help feeling happier. If you ask him if he's happy, even though he's suffered the loss of his country, the Dalai Lama will give you an unconditional yes. What's more, he'll tell you that happiness is the purpose of life, and that the very motion of our life is toward happiness. How to get there has always been the question. He's tried to answer it before, but he's never had the help of a psychiatrist to get the message across in a context we can easily understand. The Art of Happiness is the book that started the genre of happiness books, and it remains the cornerstone of the field of positive psychology. Through conversations, stories, and meditations, the Dalai Lama shows us how to defeat day-to-day anxiety, insecurity, anger, and discouragement. Considerd by many to the classic book by the Dalai Lama, he explores many facets of everyday life, including relationships, loss, and the pursuit of wealth, to illustrate how to ride through life's obstacles on a deep and abiding source of inner peace. Based on 2,500 years of Buddhist meditations mixed with a healthy dose of common sense, The Art of Happiness is a book that crosses the boundaries of traditions to help readers with difficulties common to all human beings. After being in print for ten years, this book has touched countless lives and uplifted spirits around the world.
The Neverending Story
401 pages
Read the book that inspired the classic coming-of-age film before it's back onscreen in select theaters this September! From award-winning German author Michael Ende, The Neverending Story is a classic tale of one boy and the book that magically comes to life. When Bastian happens upon an old book called The Neverending Story, he's swept into the magical world of Fantastica--so much that he finds he has actually become a character in the story! And when he realizes that this mysteriously enchanted world is in great danger, he also discovers that he is the one chosen to save it. Can Bastian overcome the barrier between reality and his imagination in order to save Fantastica? "An instantaneous leap into the magical . . . Energetic, innovative, and perceptive"—The Washington Post "A trumpet blast for the imagination."—Sunday Times
The Goldfinch
820 pages
This book is filled with emotional depth, exploring themes of pain and drug use. It resonated with me during a tough time, making me feel less alone and ultimately inspiring me to continue living. The phenomenal ending is a highlight that makes the lengthy read worthwhile.
Turtles All the Way Down
251 pages
This book is really good as it offers an introspective look at a girl with OCD, making it relatable while exploring themes of death, injury, and existence.
Women
302 pages
Bukowski's exploration of relationships and desire is both poignant and thought-provoking.
Hogfather
388 pages
Hogfather is a delightful journey into a whimsical world filled with magic and humor, perfect for those looking to explore the vast wonders of Terry Pratchett's imagination.
Ham on Rye
365 pages
Bukowski's raw and honest storytelling can be incredibly cathartic for those feeling down.
Hey God. Hey John.
544 pages
This book features uplifting conversations with God that can help you feel less alone during tough times, especially if you're dealing with depression and anxiety.
Alan Watts - In the Academy
392 pages
Gold Winner, 2017 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards in the Philosophy category To commemorate the 2015 centenary of the birth of Alan Watts (1915–1973), Peter J. Columbus and Donadrian L. Rice have assembled a much-needed collection of Watts's scholarly essays and lectures. Compiled from professional journals, monographs, scholarly books, conferences, and symposia proceedings, the volume sheds valuable light on the developmental arc of Watts's thinking about language and mysticism, Buddhism and Zen, Christianity, comparative religion, psychedelics, and psychology and psychotherapy. This definitive collection challenges Watts's reputation as a "popularizer" or "philosophical entertainer," revealing his concerns to be much more expansive and transdisciplinary than is suggested by the parochial "Zen Buddhist" label commonly affixed to his writings. The editors' authoritative introduction elucidates contemporary perspectives on Watts's life and work, and supports a bold rethinking of his contributions to psychology, philosophy, and religion.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
338 pages
This book brought lots of smiles and light, even for someone who usually prefers darker stories. It's a reminder that life is full of adventures, both big and small.
The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
126 pages
This book delves into profound themes of life and death, offering perspectives that can help find peace during anxious times.
The Alchemist
166 pages
The Alchemist is a special book that resonates deeply with readers, offering profound insights into following one's dreams and the journey of self-discovery.
Darkness Visible
64 pages
It's a curious feeling to read someone else articulating the experience of dealing with depression.
The Midnight Library
324 pages
The Midnight Library is simple yet super effective, making it a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and comfort.
The Midnight Library
316 pages
Between life and death there is a library. When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret. She feels she has let everyone down, including herself. But things are about to change. The books in the Midnight Library enable Nora to live as if she had done things differently. With the help of an old friend, she can now undo every one of her regrets as she tries to work out her perfect life. But things aren’t always what she imagined they’d be, and soon her choices place the library and herself in extreme danger. Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: what is the best way to live?
The Bell Jar
262 pages
It was incredibly uplifting for me as someone struggling with depression, and it explores suicide head on.
Speaker for the Dead
This book helped me find some purpose and offers deep insights into the complexity of human nature, emphasizing that every life has worth, even when we struggle to see it.
Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes 30th Anniversary Edition
244 pages
The Sandman series is a captivating exploration of existential themes through the journey of Dream, one of the seven endless entities. The side stories about life and the character of Death add depth and intrigue, making it a must-read.
