Books to read in rehab?

[Entschuldigung]

A male relative (mid 40's) is going into rehab soon. They can take 3 books with them.

Has anyone got any suggestions? Nothing about rehab itself. I'm thinking more uplifting but not fluffy. Escapism, something to get immersed in.

Books he's enjoyed in the past include: 'If this is a man' by Primo Levi
'Miss Smilla's Feeling For Snow' by Peter Hoeg
'The Psychopath Test' by Jon Ronson

Trying to think of others we've discussed in the past ...

If he can only take three books (that sounds nightmarish - only 3!), I’d want to make them count.

So I’d choose The Lord of the Rings, a 3 books in one edition; A Suitable Boy and maybe Barbara Tuchman’s A Distant Mirror for a non-fiction choice.

The other option might be the first three volumes of Dorothy Dunnet’s Lomond chronicles or her Italian books, although I enjoy them less.

Snow Falling on Cedars - good long novel with massive ideas in it but very easy prose to read and uplifting in its humanity. Central male character is strong and the mystery element if good.
Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway (or another absolute classic self-help book)
How about a very comic one - a Bill Bryson or Terry Pratchett or if he likes the bitchiness, David Sedaris? Something to make him laugh.

I'm thinking more uplifting but not fluffy. Escapism, something to get immersed in.

This is exactly what he does NOT need!! Any good rehabilitation centre will object to any kind of “escapism” the whole point of rehab is to be with yourself and your thoughts, thinking of any consequences that your actions may have had!! Etc etc... escapism is taking away from that and aids in minimising their behaviours.

Thanks for the suggestions. I particularly like the sound of Distant Mirror and we've already got Snow Falling On Cedars so that's good.

As for whether escapism is a good idea, I'm not sure but I think it's hard to reflect on yourself for every moment of the day. Then again, he might not be able to concentrate on anything else at all. I don't want to get him anything about rehab because it may not go along with the approach of the centre he's going to. He liked the idea of being visited once a week and swopping out one his books for a new one although we're not sure that will be allowed. We can only play it by ear.

Lipper has a good point. I’ve never needed to go to rehab but have spent time recovering from MH crises and on healing retreats - bit different but similar theme. Escapism doesn’t help, it just passes time but doesn’t get you anywhere. You need to face yourself and your reality to move on.

I’d suggest books that get you thinking, some philosophy. Easy to read in short bursts and then consider.

Marcus Aurelius Meditations is my go-to for this.

Some poetry?

And then maybe some major work of literature, with a metaphysical bent, something full of allegory and metaphor pondering the meaning of life.

But mainly a few beautiful clean fresh notebooks and nice pens, to write - thoughts, memories, streams of consciousness, ideas, plans for the future etc.

@Entschuldigung most rehab centres don’t allow you to bring items when you visit. But maybe this one does?! We weren’t even allowed to bring chocolate/fizzy drinks when we visited.

The Meditations look really interesting and sound a very good idea. Thank you, it's good to get different perspectives on what might be helpful.

@Lipperfromchipper, it wouldn't surprise me at all if we can't take anything in for him. I've asked but he didn't know.

He's not in a good place at the moment but thinking about books has been a good distraction, for me at least! I'll just be glad when he gets there. I'm quite worried he'll back out of it or die in the meantime.

I'll certainly be reading some of these suggestions.

@Entschuldigung are you one of his Concerned Persons?? You can ring the centre yourself to find out if you like. Are you/will you be invited up for group counseling days or are you just going for visiting??

I haven't been to rehab, but I do find that thinking about the big sweep of history tends to put my woes into perspective. Something like Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari might be good. Big themes but written in short sections, which will help if his concentration isn't great.

Also The Consolations of Philosophy, by Alain de Boutain might make a good companion. When you said Primo Levi, I thought of Man's Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankl but it might be too much.

Thanks @bibliomania. They all look like great reads; I'll be reading them anyway.

@Lipperfromchipper - I don't know if I'm named as a Concerned Person. He hasn't told me if I am but I'm not sure who else would be. He's not gone in yet so no one to call at the moment. He's not mentioned group counselling but I would go if invited. We've only talked about visiting so far.

Marilynne Robinson - Gilead or Home, perhaps? Both quite reflective with redemption which could be positive, and they’re beautifully written.

War and Peace, Testament of Youth, 100 Years of Solitude. Or something light and throw away.