Calming Books to Read for Fun this Autumn
Reading is a great way to calm the mind and relieve stress, and autumn is the perfect opportunity to curl up with a good book and get lost in its pages.
As the weather turns colder and we spend more time indoors, it is not unusual for many people to experience seasonal depression — an affective disorder that’s triggered by the change of seasons. Luckily, not only is reading fun and easily accessible, but it also comes with plenty of mental health benefits.
How Reading Nourishes Your Mental Health
Studies have shown that reading for just a few minutes each day can improve your sleep quality and help you reduce and cope with stress. When you become engaged in a book, your heart rate slows down, and your muscles relax, calming your parasympathetic nervous system (in charge of your “fight or flight” response). This relieves stress and tension in your body, similar to the way a warm bath would.
Now that you understand how reading can benefit your mental state, where do you begin? We’ve compiled a list of sixteen calming books for you to try this autumn — and don’t worry, because if physical books aren’t really your thing, audiobooks are an excellent alternative that are just as beneficial.
Calming Books to Read for Stress and Anxiety
Peace Is a Practice: An Invitation to Breathe Deep and Find a New Rhythm for Life: Written by Morgan Harper Nichols, this book invites you to become a peacemaker in your own life. You’ll learn how to appreciate the present, let go of the past, and release fear of the future.
How Far You Have Come: Musings on Beauty and Courage: This illustrated poetry collection by Morgan Harper Nichols invites you to reclaim your difficult moments and re-envision them in a positive light. Morgan reflects on the moments that shaped her while encouraging you to do the same.
Self-Help for Your Nerves: Learn to Relax and Enjoy Life Again by Overcoming Stress & Fear: Dr. Claire Weekes’ essential guide offers insight that will help you cope with nervous stress. It’s everything you need to know to keep relaxed throughout your day-to-day life.
Calming Books to Read Before Bed
The Best of Me: This book contains 46 insightful and humorous essays David Sedaris has experienced throughout his life. He also explores deeper issues, like losing a parent, falling in love, and recognizing his own aging.
Devotions: This definitive collection of Mary Oliver’s work includes over 200 poems. The book includes work from her very first book of poetry, all the way through her most recent collection published in 2015.
The Island of Sea Women: Lisa See’s mesmerizing historical novel tells the story of two best friends living on the Korean island of Jeju. It spans over many decades, including World War II and the Korean War.
Calming Fiction Books
The Midnight Library: This feel-good novel written by Matt Haig is one that’s sure to lift your spirits. Have you ever wondered what your life could have been? Follow along as Nora Seed searches within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library.
Where We Belong: Written by Anstey Harris, this is the story of a mother and son who are left alone after the father’s suicide. They’re forced to move into an apartment above a struggling museum and soon fall under its spell.
Love, Nina: Despatches from Family Life: This is a collection of letters written by Nina Stibbe describing her life moving to London in the 1980s to be a live-in nanny. She shares her trials and tribulations she faced in this true story that inspired a major TV series.
A Man Called Ove: Fredrik Backman’s debut novel is about a grumpy man who finds his world turned upside down when a young family moves in next door. The story explores the impact one’s life has on countless others.
Calming Non-Fiction Books
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World: Explore the nature of true joy while also learning about its obstacles — fear, stress, anger, grief, illness, and death. This book offers Eight Pillars of Joy that are meant to provide a foundation for lasting happiness.
Just Sit: A Meditation Guidebook for People Who Know They Should But Don’t: You’ve probably heard of the benefits of meditation, but in order to get those benefits, you have to actually take action. Co-written by Sukey and Elizabeth Novogratz, this illustrated meditation guidebook includes an eight-week plan perfect for busy beginners.
Call Us What We Carry: Poems: Presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman explores topics like history and identity through this poetry collection, featuring poems in a variety of imaginative styles.
Calming Audiobooks
The Dutch House: Read by Tom Hanks, this story explores the bond between two siblings. It digs deep into topics like love, forgiveness, inheritance, and true identity.
Once Upon a River: Written by Diane Setterfield, this novel tells the story of a small town, the disappearance of three young girls, and the wide impact their disappearance has on the townsfolk.
A Gentleman in Moscow: Set in 1922, this novel is the story of a man who’s ordered to spend the remainder of his life in a luxury hotel. At its core, it’s a story of emotional discovery.
Whether you’re reading to relieve anxiety, unwind before bed, or simply listening to an audiobook while taking an autumn stroll, there are tons of awesome reads out there to choose from.