Rating of the best books about overcoming yourself

It is well known that the best way for a qualitative change in personality is to get acquainted with the story of the hero about overcoming himself, life's difficulties. Among the many books about people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, one can single out a rating of high-quality creations that catch readers to the quick. The article presents the best authors who have written works in which difficult life situations arise that are unthinkable for an ordinary person. Some books from the list, in addition to the stressful situation, describe the rejection of the main character by other people.

How to choose the right book

Today, most of the world's population is interested in their cultural development. New bestsellers are released every year, popular books about complex life that win the hearts of fans for themselves. The most anticipated works are described in advertisements.

How to choose a good book to read? This question occupies people who want to read books about overcoming an illness or a seemingly insoluble problem. The following selection criteria can be distinguished:

• Cost (how much does it cost);
• The year of publishing;
• The presence of pictures (with illustrations, with photos of the book or not);
• The content of the book (is it useful to study the work);
• What are the specifics of the events narrated in the book (scientific, medical, or is it a book about psychology);
• Where published (Russian publishing house or foreign);
• Is there a problem of inclusion in the creation (is there a theme about the acceptance of the disease by the main character).

Top books about people who have experienced stressful situations that everyone should read

Where to start your acquaintance with books that tell about how to live on after tragic incidents?

For fans of the genre, a selection of works is recommended, an overview of which is presented in this top. According to readers, the popularity of books is due to the fact that each of them is easy to read, and the literature itself is interesting and exciting. In addition, the work reveals the meaning of ongoing events that negatively or positively affect the hero. Each of the books in this TOP will help you avoid mistakes when choosing reading for the soul.

Alice Sebold "Happy"

Before writing a best-selling book about a schoolgirl brutally murdered by a neighbor, the author herself faced violence. The long days during which a woman learned to live again, not to give up in search of a maniac and grow into a wonderful writer, are described in this novel. The title of the book has a deep meaning. Happy - not because she escaped violence, but because she was able to survive against all odds. Sebold was able to convey the image of a brave heroine who confronts the fears inherent in victims of violence.

The book is based on documentary details from the criminal identification procedure, the quintessence of the victim's emotions, the instinctive fear of the criminal and the revolution of consciousness as a result of a change in worldview. The book is worth reading for people interested in a tolerant attitude towards people who have suffered from violent actions.

• The work helps victims of violent acts to survive traumatic experiences;
• Beautiful syllable;
• Increases tolerance towards victims of violence, reducing victimblading;
• The work touches upon the theory of a just world.

• The book is hard to find in the open market.

Boris Polevoy "The Tale of a Real Man"

In school years, many students get acquainted with an excerpt from a book about a brave pilot who passed through forests after a plane crash. As a result of frostbite, a man loses both legs, getting used to life with prostheses. In fact, he becomes disabled.

In those times when others would have given up, the main character again comprehends the sky, lifted up in his love to its heights. Many people know that without limbs, the control of an aircraft cannot be fully felt, so a career as a pilot could be safely put an end to. However, Alexey surprises everyone.He learns to feel the car using prosthetic legs.

We can safely say that the main character overcomes all the vicissitudes of fate, causing admiration in readers for his courage, stamina and love for the blue and clear sky. It is no coincidence that the author wrote the phrase “Real Man” in the title, because it is with this word that one can characterize the pilot from the story.

• Instills in teenagers a love of life, a desire for victory, honesty and nobility;
• Introduces the real history of the pilot;
• Teaches you not to give up in any situation;
• A fascinating story about overcoming a problem, interesting for everyone.

• The work was written in Soviet times.

Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt "Oscar and the Pink Lady"

The ingenious book is composed of five stories. Each of them addresses a social problem that worries the author. According to reader reviews, the work is very poignant. Each story touches the soul, impressing with its authenticity and undisguised realism.

The first of them tells about a seriously ill child. Little Oscar is faced with a disease that has a detrimental effect on his body. The leukemia invades the cells, steadily shortening the boy's lifespan. When twelve days remain before death, the child writes letters to God, presenting each day as a decade of his life, which he is not destined to meet in life.

The second story tells about the friendship of a Jewish boy with a man who works in a grocery store. The father of the child is constantly busy, which brings Moses closer to the seller. The next creation from the cycle tells about the life of Jews during the Second World War.The problem of the extermination of an entire nation forces individual representatives in every possible way to disguise themselves as the majority, avoiding renunciation of religion. The latest stories are about sumo wrestlers and an elderly Chinese woman who lives with ten children.

Although the plots are complex, the book is read in one breath. The stories are saturated with philosophical views on life circumstances, as well as religion. There are few pages in the volume, but each of them has such a meaning that the book can be easily disassembled into quotations.

• Complex plots are written in simple language;
• Affected by acute social topics;
• The book teaches kindness, mercy, acceptance of universal values.

• Few pages in the book.

Viktor Frankl "Say Yes to Life"

The creator of logotherapy, who survived the horrors of the concentration camp, tested his own psychological theories on himself. From the moment of admission to the place of detention and up to the moment of release, the human psyche changes irreversibly. The author describes the process of oskotinization of the people around him, where normal human feelings are replaced by surrogates. Instead of compassion, disgust and indignation comes indifference, stupefaction and apathy.

However, there are those prisoners who are not broken in spirit. They believe in their own meaning of life, so every day they meet such prisoners with love for life. “Internal choice is made by the person himself” is the central idea of ​​the work. After all, it’s not enough just to survive, you need to remain Human at the same time.

The book is about the triumph of life over death. Life in the story is the sprouts of flowers growing through the cold metal of the anti-human attitude of the Nazis towards the captives.The book talks about the importance of living meaningfully and teaches readers about it.

• A documentary about the author's life in a concentration camp;
• Good style of the author;
• Creation affirms the importance of understanding the surrounding life, love for the world;
• The story is about people's problems.

• There are violent scenes that sensitive people may not like;
• The book is intended for an adult readership.

Marie-Aude Murray "Oh, boy!"

In the work, skillfully played by the author in a humorous way, deep topics are touched upon with outward simplicity. This is fatigue from life, pushing the mother of three children to suicide. The struggle of the eldest son with a serious illness that weighs heavily on his young being. The homosexuality of a relative who learns to interact with three orphans. Low tolerance of the environment towards sexual minorities. Social maladjustment.

Marie-Aude masterfully works with the word. The story that comes out from under her pen makes you worry about the children who remain alone in a cold and indifferent world. The reader thinks about what is better: to leave the guys with a gay guardian who takes care of them, or to give them to a vixen relative who does not care about orphans?

In the course of reading, life situations flash before the reader, forcing him either to laugh sadly, or to cry, or to smile admiringly. This is the resilience of the oldest child who underwent chemotherapy for the sake of his dream of "Becoming the youngest bachelor in the history of France." And unsuccessful attempts at the beginning of the guardian to become a "mommy" to the children. And guardianship authorities wandering near the house, checking the situation with children.

A wonderful book for non-standard people, where in simple words it is said about the complex. Feedback from readers indicates that the idea embodied in the work reaches the hearts, making them a little kinder in the world.

• The work touches on acute social topics;
• The presentation of the material allows both an adult and a child to read the story with interest;
• The book is the quintessence of humor, tragedy, love and everyday life;
• Teaches tolerant attitude towards sexual minorities;
• Talks about the problems of cancer patients and suicidal people.

• Not available for sale everywhere.

John Green "The Fault in Our Stars"

The writer was inspired to create a magnificent story by a girl who heroically fought against cancer. A fascinating book written in simple language, read in one breath. There are two main characters. It's a girl named Hazel who is battling a terminal illness and a guy named Augustus who originally came to support his friend. They meet... And magic begins to happen.

If earlier the girl did not enjoy therapy sessions, then after meeting with Augustus, she begins to appreciate every moment of her own life. The thought of the value of life with the one you love runs like a bright thread through the book. The realization that a person who is nearby can disappear at any moment is tragic and painful, but it allows you to appreciate all the moments that bind the couple together.

The book strikes the imagination with a mixture of humor, drama and everyday life, superimposed on a tracing paper of strong and sincere love. The novel is recommended for reading by teenagers, however, older people also speak warmly about the book.This is a bestseller that tells the story of overcoming things that are incompatible with life. Readers' reviews testify to a deep emotional shock, mixed with admiration for the fortitude of the main characters. Included in the rating of books that must be read without fail.

• The novel introduces people to the resilience of those who fall ill with a fatal disease;
• The work evokes a wide range of feelings in readers;
• An example of pure and sincere love of two people is shown;
• The literary style of the author is harmonious.

• The availability of the book in each region should be specified additionally.

Paulo Coelho "Veronica Decides to Die"

The main character of the work is Veronica. She sees no meaning in life. Everything seems to be fine, however - about nothing ... And the girl drinks a handful of pills. People walk past her window. People who don't care about the dying.

The beginning of the story is about depression. The main character cannot find the meaning of her own life, choosing death instead of existence. By chance, they managed to save her. And sent to a psychiatric hospital. Finding herself among people recognized by society as inadequate, Veronica learns to live. The stories of some patients are tragic and painful. The girl is faced with a choice: to remain closed from society (in the hospital) or to risk and trust the world outside the institution.

In the course of the story, a deep reorientation of values ​​takes place, a new love is found, and the world around the heroine ceases to be a hostile force. Coelho places a subtle emphasis on self-acceptance of the inner world of a person, due to which the outer world also changes. The story of Veronica is the scourge of most modern people living in a system of hierarchical values. And the more valuable is the transformation that happened to the heroine.

• Clearly demonstrates the depressive state of the main character;
• Shows the evolution of the girl while reading the story;
• Approves life values ​​that are important to every person.

• The method of suicide is described in detail, so the book is not recommended for reading by persons under 18 years of age.

Daniel Keyes "Flowers for Algernon"

A clear hit in American schools, taking a new approach to the problem of people with disabilities. The writer's novel belongs to the epistolary genre. Its peculiarity is the unusual manner of presenting the material: in letters. In addition, the genre of the work gravitates towards science fiction.

Recommended for compulsory reading in American schools, the creation tells the story of a person with disabilities. Mental retardation is the scourge of modern society, since it is impossible to predict the development of an unborn fetus.

The protagonist suffers from an intellectual disability. He is thirty two years old. Charlie's life is bland and gray. He sincerely yearns to be normal. Have friends. To fulfill his dream, the hero is ready to work hard. Charlie's determination is so great that he was able to learn to read.

A group of scientists have developed a method to restore brain cells. Thanks to innovative development, it becomes possible to increase its activity. The first test subject is a mouse named Algernon. A successful experiment allows Charlie to agree to the experiment. Thanks to the quality of the work done, the hero becomes a genius. Unfortunately, the effect of experimental development is not eternal ...

Keyes's book is especially recommended for teenagers, as it allows you to think about the personal actions of each child.In high school, when children can be cruel to others, the work allows you to look at actions from the outside. Creation is highly appreciated by adult readers. The idea submitted by the author is a new word in a tolerant attitude towards “not such” people.

• The work tells about the problems of people with disabilities;
• The book shows the deep action that occurs as a result of the experiment of scientists;
• The presentation of the material creates the illusion of live communication with the main character through reading letters;
• The book brings up tolerance towards people;
• The work can be read by both adults and teenagers.

• Keyes's book was released decades ago.

Marianna Vekhova "Paper poppies"

The story created by the writer tells about the years when she was little. Having lost her parents, the girl wonders what reasons pushed her mother to commit suicide. During the war years, Marianna was unable to find her father, who disappeared without a trace on the front line.

A terrible illness pinned her to bed. Tuberculosis of the spine. It caused constant, debilitating pain that tormented the baby. Her cries were heard by a military man passing by, who left a ration for the child. Delirious, Marianne asked to find her father, but she never met him.

In the hospital, where the girl had to lie motionless in a cast, books were the only salvation. Neighbors, lying motionless on their backs, made artificial flowers that silently told about their suffering. The thought of light pain passes through the book like a bright star. Superimposed memories of bad times, where it is impossible to share tragic events, are overcome by the baby. She grows into a beautiful woman who has overcome a cruel illness.

The history of Vekhova is a piece-by-piece, thoughtful and piercingly pure thing, recognized by readers as a real gem among many similar books. The theme of the incomprehensible and terrible world of adults is replaced by social issues, relations between sick girls lying in the ward. Suffering becomes an allegory for exaltation, because in overcoming a cruel adversity the main character becomes a real jewel.

• Beautiful literary style of the author of the work;
• The book affirms the value of life;
• A true description of the unsightly life in the war and post-war years.

• Description of the cruelty of the people around the girl.

Janusz Korczak "King Matt the First"

The famous Polish teacher, who without hesitation stepped with his pupils into the gas chamber under the fascist dictatorship, created a wonderful story about a young king who ascended the throne after the death of his father. The book tells how a boy faces the hardships of a front-line movement, experiencing the difficulties of a war between several states.

In addition to the fact that the book shows the ugliness of court ministers, weaving intrigues in their own country and unleashing hostilities against it, there are also positive aspects. One of them is that the little king is undergoing an evolution of his character. Coming from the front, he begins to carry out reformist activities aimed at improving the lives of his subjects entrusted to him. In fact, it represents the maximum help to ordinary people. Despite the fact that he is small, the child loves his country so much that he is perceived by the reader as an adult, whom one involuntarily begins to admire.

Overcoming in this book can be viewed on the example of a lad, at first pampered, far from sorrows and troubles, who later, having gone through a harsh front-line school, grows into a worthy king. He is deservedly honored by the courtiers, and the people rejoice and admire the ruler, because a Personality appears from a little boy.

• The book contains scenes of the introduction of an aristocrat to the life of the common people;
• The evolution of the hero in the course of the story is shown;
• The king is represented by a person with a capital letter, who cares about the welfare of his own subjects;
• Presumably, there is a real prototype of the main character.

• Old edition of the book;
• The book is quite large.

Conclusion

Depending on what the reader needs, you can give recommendations for reading the works from the list above. What to look for when choosing a book?

• Average cost of creation;
• Circulation of the published work;
• Series and year of publication of the publication in print;
• The volume of the printed source (includes one or more parts);
• Who created the book (written by an expert or is fiction);
• Is the book recommended for a general readership;
• What can teach people (helps learn to make decisions, talks about overcoming an illness, or contains thoughts that are valuable to the reader);
• Is it possible to purchase for use with minimal financial costs (for free, as a textbook in a library or at a low cost when books are budget and inexpensive).

In a difficult life situation, moments of confusion and even unwillingness to live, it is worth turning to literature, because there are many books that will help you overcome yourself or a problem, no matter how hopeless, at first glance, it may be.