What is a good book to read when financially struggling and out of hope?
January 11, 2012 10:45 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for an inspirational book. One that will inspire, motivate and give hope to someone who's unemployed, financially struggling, depressed and hurting. More details inside...
A friend has been out of work for approximately four years. At first, she thought she had enough money to weather the storm, but since the economy tanked, she has found herself seriously struggling financially. She has become very depressed, angry and negative - three things she never was prior to this situation.
Before her unemployment, she would read books on finance, making money, making wise financial decisions...she'd read inspirational quotes, etc. I'm looking for book recommendations that might give her some motivation, hope, peace, etc. Something light to read (not too technical or heavy) to lift her spirits and make her realize there is reason to be optimistic!
A friend has been out of work for approximately four years. At first, she thought she had enough money to weather the storm, but since the economy tanked, she has found herself seriously struggling financially. She has become very depressed, angry and negative - three things she never was prior to this situation.
Before her unemployment, she would read books on finance, making money, making wise financial decisions...she'd read inspirational quotes, etc. I'm looking for book recommendations that might give her some motivation, hope, peace, etc. Something light to read (not too technical or heavy) to lift her spirits and make her realize there is reason to be optimistic!
Henderson the Rain King, by Saul Bellow.
posted by TheRedArmy at 10:57 AM on January 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by TheRedArmy at 10:57 AM on January 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Wherever You Go, There You Are. Truly a beautiful and encouraging book.
posted by jbickers at 11:02 AM on January 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by jbickers at 11:02 AM on January 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
I haven't read it in a while, so I might be a little off on the tone, but The Art of Possibility might be a good one. Usually I'm pretty cynical about go-get-'em books, especially when they're given to me by my schmoozy-globetrotting dad, but this book actually made me think.
posted by Madamina at 11:05 AM on January 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Madamina at 11:05 AM on January 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
The Art of Happiness
I found this on a friend's shelf on the worst day of my life. I'm not religious, but this is as close to a "holy book" as I've ever encountered.
posted by EKStickland at 11:05 AM on January 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
I found this on a friend's shelf on the worst day of my life. I'm not religious, but this is as close to a "holy book" as I've ever encountered.
posted by EKStickland at 11:05 AM on January 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
I had forgotten about Art of Happiness. Definitely second that recommendation.
posted by rich at 11:14 AM on January 11, 2012
posted by rich at 11:14 AM on January 11, 2012
Pema Chodron's When Things Fall Apart may be helpful.
posted by argonauta at 11:36 AM on January 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by argonauta at 11:36 AM on January 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
Must it be about unemployment / unhappiness when unemployed?
There is a pretty sweet memoir, The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love. 5 stars on Amazon! :-)
A city woman gives up her job to move to a rural area with her boyfriend and be a farmer, starting completely from scratch.
You say your friend reads about making wise financial decisions and such...? Hahaha...
The author is very frustrated at times, she has no money, it's too hard, and she doesn't know if things will ever work out at all. In other words, she's pretty pessimistic and unhappy.
But the book itself is a fun, light read, and her boyfriend is always optimistic. It made me smile many times. It also made me think that no matter how bad things are (financially, for example), as long as I'm alive, I could be happy just raising some food for myself and my family.
I think this book would be just uplifting enough to someone unemployed, without making your friend know that you're trying to cheer her up.
;-)
posted by midnightmoonlight at 12:39 PM on January 11, 2012
There is a pretty sweet memoir, The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love. 5 stars on Amazon! :-)
A city woman gives up her job to move to a rural area with her boyfriend and be a farmer, starting completely from scratch.
You say your friend reads about making wise financial decisions and such...? Hahaha...
The author is very frustrated at times, she has no money, it's too hard, and she doesn't know if things will ever work out at all. In other words, she's pretty pessimistic and unhappy.
But the book itself is a fun, light read, and her boyfriend is always optimistic. It made me smile many times. It also made me think that no matter how bad things are (financially, for example), as long as I'm alive, I could be happy just raising some food for myself and my family.
I think this book would be just uplifting enough to someone unemployed, without making your friend know that you're trying to cheer her up.
;-)
posted by midnightmoonlight at 12:39 PM on January 11, 2012
I have to push, push, push Illusions by Richard Bach. It is exactly your description.
posted by General Malaise at 1:26 PM on January 11, 2012
posted by General Malaise at 1:26 PM on January 11, 2012
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Amazon link. Incredible.
posted by llacness at 9:11 AM on January 12, 2012
posted by llacness at 9:11 AM on January 12, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
Pursuit of Happiness - Chris Gardner
maybe?
posted by rich at 10:53 AM on January 11, 2012