What to Do When Chronic Illness Makes You Feel Angry at the World
Living with chronic illness can take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. One day, you’re hopeful and determined to work towards your goals despite the pain you’re experiencing, and the next day you’re stuck in bed, feeling sick, sad and defeated.
During times of struggle, it can be such a relief to feel seen and understood, to know that others are going through similar problems. But not everyone has family and friends who really get what it’s like to be in your shoes, or peers they can talk to. That’s when bibliotherapy comes in handy.
No matter if you’re angry at the whole world or you feel lost, there’s a book for every mood. Not only does a relatable read make you feel less alone, it can also help you see your situation from a fresh perspective and provide new insights.
Books have a big impact on your emotional state too. Reading regularly makes you happier and more satisfied with life. According to the Mood Management Theory, we subconsciously choose media content that fits well with how we currently feel. People who are overstimulated tend to choose more relaxing reads, music and movies than people who are bored, while individuals in a bad mood seek out positive content to take their mind off their worries.
Whether you need some distraction, a good cry or a spark of hope, you can find the right book to read at the right time. From classic novels to modern fiction, and from memoirs to poetry, take a look at these 25 comfort reads for chronically ill people to match your mood.
If you feel inspired to buy any of these therapeutic books through the affiliate links below, you will support both independent bookshops and The Health Sessions through your purchase, at no extra costs to you. Pretty cool, right?
When You’re Feeling Sad: Books That Understand Your Pain
On days when the world feels heavy and your body hurts, you don’t need forced positivity. What you’re looking for is someone who understands your pain but doesn’t try to fix your sadness. That’s when it’s soothing to turn to novels and memoirs that hold space for all your emotions, to remind you that you’re not alone in feeling this way.
‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig
When life feels unbearable, Nora Seed finds herself in a magical library between life and death. Each book on the shelves represents a version of the life she could have lived if she had made different choices. As Nora moves through her regrets and what-ifs, will she uncover what makes life worth living?
‘The Midnight Library’ is charming and thoughtful story for those moments when you’re wondering “What’s the point of all this?”
‘Notes on Grief’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
In this short but powerful memoir, Adichie reflects on the loss of her father. Her raw writings capture how the world keeps spinning, even when your life has suddenly halted, and how sorrow reshapes your thoughts and your days.
‘Notes on Grief’ validates the pain bereaved people feel without offering platitudes. This book is a gentle companion for anyone navigating grief and emotional exhaustion.
‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’ by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Do you ever wish you could relive a special moment or fix a crucial mistake? In a small Tokyo café, one particular seat lets you travel back in time, but only as long as it takes for your coffee to get cold. Four visitors take their chance to explore regrets and missed opportunities, like confronting the partner who left them and seeing a sibling one last time.
This quirky but touching novel acknowledge heartache, while also showing you the bittersweet beauty of connection and reflection.
What Doesn’t Kill You: A Life with Chronic Illness by Tessa Mille
When a young journalist suddenly experiences severe stomach problems, it turns out to be the start of a years-long journey with Crohn’s disease. From hospital stays and painful flare-ups to the emotional toll of living with an unpredictable illness, Tessa Mille’s story doesn’t shy away from frustration and grieving all that she’s lost.
But for anyone living with chronic illness, reading Tessa’s experiences mixed with journalistic reporting also offers some solidarity and understanding. Yes, your pain is real, it is hard, but you’re not the only one going through this, and that can be comforting to know.
When You’re Lonely: Books That Feel Like a Friend
Do you feel like no one really gets what it’s like to walk in your shoes? Living with chronic illness can be isolating and lonely. On days when it seems you have nobody to turn to, reading an absorbing novel that acknowledges your loneliness but also warms your heart may be just what you need.
‘The Reading List’ by Sara Nisha Adams
Aleisha, a smart but anxious teenager working at a local library over the summer, finds a mysterious reading list in the back of a book, and decides to recommend the titles to a lonely widower called Mukesh. As they read the 8 classic books together, an unlikely friendship forms.
‘The Reading List’ is a heartwarming book about the power of fiction to connect strangers and heal emotional wounds.
‘Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine’ by Gail Honeyman
Eleanor is a socially-awkward clerk who leads a punctual life in Glasgow, dictated by frozen pizzas and phone calls with her mother. But when she and her unhygienic IT colleague Raymond save an elderly man called Sammy, her world changes and pulls Eleanor out of isolation. Will Ray’s big heart help heal Eleanors’s trauma?
Witty yet touching, ‘Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine’ shows how small acts of kindness and opening your heart to others can be a catalyst for change.
‘A Man Called Ove’ by Fredrik Backman
After his wife died, Ove, a grumpy 59-year old Swedish man, feels angry at the world and no longer sees the point of living. But when an Iranian family moves in next door, Ove keeps getting drawn into the lives of the people around him, leading to unexpected experiences.
This darkly humorous novel explores grief, loneliness and community in the most charming way.
‘Everything, Everything’ by Nicola Yoon
Madeline Whittier is an 18-year old Afro-Asian girl who is life-threatening allergic to basically everything and confined to her sterilized house. Then one day, her world gets turned upside-down when a charming boy moves in next door and they start exchanging messages. Maddy falls hard for Olly, but will she sacrifice her personal health for love?
‘Everything Everything’ is a tender exploration of what it feels like to truly want to live, even if that means taking huge risks, that will speak to anyone feeling betrayed by their body.
When You’re Angry at the Whole World: Books to Help You Process
Life isn’t always fair, and it’s completely normal to feel frustration, resentment and anger when you’re faced with serious problems. Thankfully, there are books that can help you process those feelings, reflect on your emotions and maybe even let them fuel your motivation for change.
‘Sitting Pretty’ by Rebekah Tausig
Are you tired of seeing disability portrayed as either inspirational or sympathy-evoking? In ‘Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body’, Rebekah Tausig discusses tough topics like (in)dependence, charity and ableism with both frustration and humor.
Through honest essays, this memoir explores what it means to live in a body that looks and moves differently than most.
‘Big Magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert
If you’d like to channel your anger into creative energy instead of letting it consume you, ‘Big Magic‘ is the guide for you.
Through a mix of philosophical wonderings and practical advice, this book urges you to let go off your fears and unleash the creativity within you.
‘Fierce Fairytales’ by Nikita Gill
Gone are the days of knights in shining armor and princesses who need rescuing. In this beautifully illustrated collection, Nikita Gill reimagines classic fairytales to empower a new generation.
The poems and short stories in ‘Fierce Fairytales’ showcase strength, resilience and the power to reframe existing narratives.
When You Need Hope to Hold Onto: Books That Shine a Light in the Dark
There’s nothing like having hope in your heart to pull you through the toughest times. So when you need some bibliotherapy for mental health, take a look at these beautiful books that’ll help you see the light in the darkness.
‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse‘ by Charlie Mackesy
In this illustrated novel, a boy and his three animal friends journey through life, united by friendship, vulnerability and a search for home.
Even though this simple yet profound story can be read in a single sitting, ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ offers nuggets of inspiration and quiet reassurance for all ages.
‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho
‘The Alchemist’ is a modern but mystical parable about following your heart and discovering purpose.
A young Andalusian shepherd called Santiago decides to act upon a recurring dream about a treasure buried near the Egyptian Pyramids. Faced with many challenges on his path, Santiago must learn to overcome his fears and trust his intuition to find his true destiny.
‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ by Viktor Frankl
It may seem strange to mention a psychiatrist’s account of his time in Nazi concentration camps under ‘hopeful books’. But in ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’, Viktor Frankl describes how our ability to choose hope and purpose can help us endure even the most horrific circumstances.
Part autobiography, part therapeutic, this book is a must-read exploration of resilience, meaning and shining light in the darkest times.
‘The House in the Cerulean Sea’ by TJ Klune
When social worker Linus Baker is sent to inspect an orphanage on an island, housing six children with ‘dangerous’ powers, he is faced with fears, secrets and hard dilemmas. Will he have to close the one place where these magical creatures have created a home?
‘The House in the Cerulean Sea’ is a heartwarming young adult fantasy story about acceptance, found family and finding love in unexpected places.
When You Feel Overwhelmed: Books for Calming the Chaos
Dealing with symptoms, doctor’s appointments, medical diets and insurance issues on top of juggling work, chores and a social life can be pretty overwhelming. These reads will calm your mind, give you permission to pause and breathe, and offer practical advice to do less.
‘How to Keep House While Drowning’ by K.C. Davis
Struggling to stay on top of your daily chores? In short, accessible chapters, this practical guide will help you to clean messy spaces without overwhelm or shame, so you can restore the functionality of your home.
Although ‘How to Keep House While Drowning’ seems mostly written for people with mental health problems and neurodivergence, chronically ill readers may also find comfort in K.C.Davis’ compassionate philosophy and actionable tips when life feels unmanageable.
‘Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times’ by Katherine May
‘Wintering’ is a meditative memoir that uses the seasonal cycle as a metaphor for the need to retreat to overcome hardship, just like plants and animals do during the cold, dark months. Combining lessons from nature, literature and mythology, Katherine May encourages you to surrender instead of fighting difficulties.
This book highlights the importance of rest, being kind to yourself and finding beauty in the depth of your figurative winter.
‘Slow Productivity’ by Cal Newport
Despite what hustle culture tells us, busyness is not the same as useful efforts. In this guide, Cal Newport offers a more sustainable alternative for people doing knowledge work, namely doing less but better. Perfect for when your to-do list feels impossible!
Even though the book centers around the mental load in the workplace, the key principles of ‘Slow Productivity’ for pursuing meaningful accomplishment without overwhelm can also be adapted to fit chronically ill readers.
‘How to Be Sick’ by Toni Bernhard
When you suddenly fall ill and become restricted in everything you do, and you stay that way for years, you have to learn how to be sick. In this Buddhist-inspired memoir, Toni Bernhard, shares wise practices to reduce your suffering, even if you cannot get better.
Packed with compassion and grace, ‘How to Be Sick‘ offers gentle guidance for living well with chronic illness, while validating your struggles.
When You Want to Lift Your Spirits: Books That Spark Joy
Bibliotherapy can help you balance out all the heartache of living with chronic illness with comfort reads that make you smile, even if just for a moment. Turn to one of these books to lift your spirits when you’re sick.
‘The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared’ by Jonas Jonasson
After being part of major historical moments in his eventful life, Allan Karlsson is not that interested in celebrating his 100th birthday in a nursing home. So he climbs out of the window for one more (hilarious) adventure, involving a gang and an elephant…
This quirky novel shows us that life can be full of surprises, no mater your age.
‘The Little Prince’ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
In this beloved illustrated book, a pilot crashes in a desert and meets a strange boy from another ‘planet’ (a tiny asteroid, really), who’s come to Earth looking for a friend. As the little prince recounts his journey across different planets, we get to see how we each look at the world differently.
‘The Little Prince’ is a whimsical story with timeless lessons on friendship and finding beauty in the small things of life.
‘Broken (In the Best Possible Way)’ by Jenny Lawson
Mental health problems are no joke. But Jenny Lawson’s anecdotes about her struggles with depression and anxiety are both highly relatable and humorous.
In ‘Broken (In the Best Possible Way)’, she normalizes these human experiences through entertaining takes on heavy subjects.
When You Feel Lost: Books to Help Find Yourself Again
Life-altering events like chronic illness or losing a loved one can make you feel lost, confused or alone. These books will help you reflect, discover new perspectives and remind you that searching for your identity and where you belong are a normal part of being human.
‘You Are Here’ by David Nicholls
Two middle-aged, divorced strangers who lost their ways, Marnie and Michael, are brought together by a mutual friend to begrudgingly walk across northern England. Not only do they have to navigate the terrain and British weather, but also their loneliness and the (funny) awkwardness of unfolding new relationships.
Written with wit and empathy, ‘You Are Here’ reminds us that sometimes you have to get lost to find yourself again.
‘Between Two Kingdoms’ by Suleika Jaouad
How do you move on after surviving leukemia, when the world doesn’t make sense anymore? Suleika Jaouad decides to travel across America to rebuild her identity and learn to live again in a changed body.
‘Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted’ is a thoughtful exploration of what it means to begin again.
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‘When Things Fall Apart’ by Pema Chödrön
In this collection of talks, Pema Chödrön discusses how we can overcome life difficulties through Buddhist principles like acceptance and letting go of attachment.
‘When Things Fall Apart’ offers spiritual guidance for sitting with grief, fear and uncertainty when you feel lost.
Final words
Stories are powerful. The right read at the right time can be a lifeline and a reminder that you’re not alone. Whether you need laughter, comfort or a mental escape, there’s a book for every mood, that can meet you exactly where you are.
What are your favorite comfort reads when you’re chronically ill?
Struggling to focus on your books because of chronic illness? Take a look at this practical guide to help you get back into reading with brain fog.
