Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!

Books for Those Stuck in a Rut

Books emoji 12 items
I, too, have been stuck in a rut without any books to read--and it doesn't help that I'm quite picky, especially in the fiction department! That's why I have put together a list of some of my favorite books in multiple genres for anyone who's struggl...
Sections
3
 
 
 

Fiction

My top favorites in the fictional genre, whether they're thrillers, dystopian, horror, or some other subcategory within fiction!

 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
One of my favorite books! Chilling dystopian/psychological fiction book with ties to our current capitalistic world. While there are certain plot points and themes within this book that are right in your face, there are some that you must also dig de... 

This book is more than dystopian, it's downright disturbing, but it's also very raw and thought-provoking when you connect certain parts to our real world. Whether it's the capitalism, government involvement and disregard for life, or the meat indust...
Tender Is the Flesh (B&N Exclusive Edition)
 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
This classic dystopian novel was written more than 70 years ago, and it is still a great and thought-provoking--but disturbing-- read for anyone interested in such a genre. 

With the way parts of the world are developing as every new year passes, the ideas and plot points within this book are looking more and more possible and real in our own lives. It's no wonder why there has been such a major burst in popularity of th...
1984 by George Orwell
 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
If you like Greek mythology and romance, this is the book for you! It's a very sweet and moving story based on the Greek stories of Achilles and Patroclus. 
However, be prepared to shed some tears and stare at a wall for a bit after reading this book! Very bittersweet in a way and a beautiful, romantic retelling.
Song of Achilles
placeholder
 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
The well-known and beloved first book of the Game of Thrones series that got adapted into a TV show.
If you enjoy a mixture of fantasy and medieval themes, then you'll enjoy these books! It's well-written and immersive, especially as you continue to read through the series and everything develops more. There are twists and turns in every direction, ...
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)

Nature, Paganism, Herbs, Crystals

Books for all your nature related, pagan, witchcraft, or general interest needs! Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a practicing witch, or someone who is just intrigued by crystals and herbs, I've got some recommendations for you!

 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
As someone who semi-recently discovered Cernunnos and his general characteristics/traits as a Celtic deity, I got this book to hopefully learn more and expand my horizons, so-to-speak, and I'm glad I did. This book begins with more informative and hi... 

For me, reading all the different people's stories about and encounters with Cernunnos was fascinating, and it reminded me of my own seemingly coincidental instances where "someone" or "something" could've been trying to get my attention. While I am ... 

Although the anecdotes come from both similar and vastly different people, as well as from multiple geographic locations (some quite far away from others), the overarching ideas and traits of Cernunnos are the same; he is a deity that is nature-drive...

There was one in particular where the author was a gay man, and he was worried about a potential lack of acceptance or desire from Cernunnos that would make him not want to "work" with the author. This belief was quite quickly extinguished when Cernu...

My only grievance is that there are multiple noticeable writing or editing errors made throughout the book, whether it was a relatively minor issue with spelling or an issue that is likely the fault of a printing error. Regardless, I don't find this ...
The Book of Cernunnos
 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
A great encyclopedia to look through for all things crystals, gems, stones, and more! Cunningham has a great track record of providing ample details and plentiful guides for crystals and related subjects like herbs, though that's a different book in ...
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic (Scott ...
 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
A great encyclopedia for those wanting to learn more about herbs, their properties, and plenty more! This book can be your main guide in your herb exploration and journey, whether you're wanting to forage, make teas, or practice witchcraft!
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Llewellyn's Sourcebook Series ...
 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
A very interesting and illuminating account of forests, trees, ecosystems and how nature communicates right under our noses (or above our heads in this case with trees).

I have always been intrigued by the ways nature flows and how every organism works together in one way or another; it's also incredible that some trees are hundreds of years old! Trees can adapt, develop, and grow with or despite their surrounding en...
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate ...

Psychology, Memoirs, Nonfiction

Books that are either psychology related, non-fiction, or are within the scope of memoirs or retellings of real people's lives and stories

 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
A very powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking book full of stories a psychiatrist had collected over his years of work, particularly with adolescents. This book can be very heavy at points due to the level of severity of some of the kids' trauma,... 

If you are someone with trauma yourself or are considering going into the psychology or social work field, I highly recommend this read.
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's ...
 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
This book is largely a memoir about the author's own life, primarily her childhood of dealing with abuse and neglect, but it is also informative and empowering. 

While some parts of this book can be heavy since it's about her childhood trauma and the Complex PTSD that she developed because of it, we get a feeling of empowerment, confidence, and understanding start to bloom throughout the read until it blossom... 

This book is not just a trauma dump with a front and back cover as some of these memoirs can seem, but rather, it's a very well-written memoir full of both personal experiences and informative writing.
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma ...
 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
This book was an incredible--but raw-- read as someone who struggles with OCD in my daily life; if you or someone you know struggles with it, I highly recommend this book!

Lily Bailey writes about her life, how her OCD has developed or changed over time, how it has affected her and those around her, and how she sought out help in order to improve her life and not only get better overall, but also to manage her symptoms...
Because We Are Bad: OCD and a Girl Lost in Thought: Bailey, Lily
 
Kallum Mortifer profile picture
Esmé Weijun Wang tells about her life dealing with her mental and chronic illnesses and explores the depths of her schizoaffective disorder in particular, which is still a heavily stigmatized and misunderstood disorder that lacks the amount of resear...

She discusses her journey through the time she was undiagnosed, to the time she got her diagnosis, and then to the time where she got the help she needed to gain control over her life. This book is a great balance between her life story and great inf...
The Collected Schizophrenias
placeholder