Isolation can be a tough time for anyone, regardless of who you are. 

Whether you're missing your friends, missing your privacy, or just missing the time spent outdoors, this quarantine can take a real toll on you. So, to make us feel better, Cheryl brings us a book that can help get you through these tough times, It's Kind of a Funny Story.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Based upon Vizzini’s own experiences in a psychiatric ward, It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a book about depression that is actually rather uplifting. Despite being a YA novel that follows 15-year-old Craig’s high school struggles that lead to a suicidal episode, landing him in the psych ward, Vizzini’s writing makes for a fantastic piece of literature that is not in the least depressing and is extremely relatable to anyone who has ever felt down. With heavy cynicism, sarcastic humour, and a plot that really is kind of a funny story, the self-deprecating tone of the book makes it a truly authentic and insightful work that shows the harsh realities of dealing with mental illnesses.

Unlike the film adaptation of the same name which slightly glamorises mental illness (as on screen content is wont to do), this novel is a veridical expression of a life of blues, and showcases an accurate depiction of how bleak everything can seem to someone who is struggling – a real reflection of how much this was based upon Vizzini’s own hospitalisation. The only caveat to this read, is that the inevitable emotional investment is painfully underscored by the harrowing knowledge that Vizzini himself later died of suicide. Yet the novel itself holds a hopeful ending that makes this the perfect book to help you through tough times. A serious but enjoyable read, and one of my favourite books of all time.