hi @coffetalks3723! Really glad u asked for help. Here are a few book recommendations, that provided insights when I struggled to understand my emotions and grappled with anxiety/mental health. Hope you may benefit from them too! ☺️
1. When breathe becomes air by Paul Kalanithi
A biography of a neurosurgeon battling his life and stage 4 lung cancer in his late 30s. The book talks about the uncomfortable topic: the challenge of facing death and the meaning of life.
2. Reasons to stay alive by Matt Haig
A true story from the author who shared his journey on how he had a breakthrough from mental illness and learn to live again. To a certain degree, the story is like a personal diary that sheds light of the real issues when dealing with depression.
3. Retrain your brain: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy workbook in 7 weeks by Seth. Gillihan, PhD (an ongoing read)
This is a good exercise book, that helps me to pay careful attention to my thought patterns and how our thoughts, emotions and behaviours are interconnected with each other as a cycle. This guidebook helps to point out the trigger points of what prevents us from experiencing the peace and compassion that we need most towards ourselves.
Currently, I am onto another book by Stephen Grosz titled "The examined life | How we lose and find ourselves." The book covers the theme of loss and pain in 3 to 5 pages length short stories, from a psychoanalyst experience with his patients. You can check this out too if this interest you 🌱.