Best Books to Pick Yourself Up When You're Feeling Low
When you're low, a big self-help book can feel like one more job on the list. You want something gentle that you can pick up and put down.
These books are kind, practical and easy to dip into.
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Shop cheer-up cards and gifts Feel-good books Books to get over a breakup Books about focusing on yourself
Cheer-up cards and gifts to go with a book
A book with a kind card tucked inside makes a lovely present. Our cards are designed in house and posted from the UK.
Gentle and easy to dip into
- The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy: a page or two at a time is enough.
- Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig: short chapters about staying sane in a busy world.
- The Comfort Book by Matt Haig: small bits of hope you can read in any order.
Practical and grounding
- Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty: simple exercises for quieting negative thoughts and resetting.
- Atomic Habits by James Clear: small changes that add up, and useful when you're rebuilding routines.
- Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? by Dr Julie Smith: bite-sized tools from a clinical psychologist.
Stories that lift you
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: a reminder that the life you have is worth living.
- Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: loneliness, kindness and slowly getting better.
Found your words? Now find the card
Shop cheer-up cards and gifts Feel-good books Books to get over a breakup Books about focusing on yourself
How to write it so it lands
- Read in bed instead of scrolling for the last half hour.
- Don't feel you have to finish it. Take what helps and leave the rest.
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Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before
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Frequently asked questions
What should I read when I'm feeling down?
Something short and gentle, like The Comfort Book or The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, rather than a dense self-help title.
Can books help with low mood?
Many people find them comforting, but they're not a replacement for support. If low mood lasts or feels heavy, speak to your GP. You can also call Samaritans free on 116 123.
What is a good example of best books to pick yourself up when you're feeling low?
"The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy: a page or two at a time is enough." is one of 8 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.
Can I copy these messages word for word?
Yes. Everything on this page is free to copy, print and read out - no permission or credit needed. Changing one detail so it fits the person is all we would suggest.