The Howling Dog, Tracey Campbell Pearson. Farrar Straus & Giroux 1991
She's lonely, she's tied up outside at night, and her leash is frayed. The howling dog goes looking for company and finds it. I have a copy of this book displayed on my mantel.
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When the Sky is Like Lace, Elinor Lander Horwitz. Lippincott 1975
Strange and clever, with beautiful dark illustrations. Gentle and lyrical. Instructions for what to do on bimulous nights. This one you have to see. A great read-aloud book, especially if you like to sing. Out of print, but amazon.com may be able to find it for you.
The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster. Paperback reissue Random House Children's 1993.
This is my absolute all-time favorite book. I read it about twice a year, and if you don't have a copy, you should get one. It's a charming and clever tale that illustrates why learning is important.
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Ironman, Chris Crutcher. Paperback reprint edition Laurel Leaf 1996.
This is my favorite of Chris Crutcher's books, all of which I recommend. In this one, an angry young man learns to accept help from an unlikely collection of outcasts. Although it's set against a story of a triathlete struggling against his school, his coach, and his family, it's really an account of finding peace.
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Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes, Chris Crutcher. Greenwillow 1993.
Chris Crutcher's books are all populated by misfits, dropouts, and wounded people. The beauty of it is that they learn to save themselves through their own strength and through the strength of compassion. In this book, a young man struggles to stay ugly for the sake of friendship.
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Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot, John Callahan. William Morrow 1989 Paperback edition Vintage 1990
I think John Callahan's cartoons are very funny, sometimes in spite of my better judgement. Callahan is a quadriplegic and an alcoholic, and this is his autobiography. It's a biting story of recovery, and it changed my life. No joke.
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The Depression Workbook : A Guide for Living With Depression and Manic Depression and Living Without Depression and Manic Depression : A Workbook for Maintaining Mood Stability, Mary Ellen Copeland. New Harbinger 1992 and 1994 Paperback editions, respectively.
My mom likes these two books very much. Although I like them somewhat less, I think they're excellent starting points, especially if you're feeling kind of lost. Even if you don't like the whole concept, they're worth having for reference and as examples. I have both of them in my library.
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A Brilliant Madness, Patty Duke and Gloria Hochman. Bantam Books 1992
Patty Duke's case study of her life with manic-depression, in alternating chapters discussing the illness and its treatment. Informative and compassionate.
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Call Me Anna , Patty Duke and Kenneth Turan. Bantam Books 1987
Patty Duke tells the difficult story of her life's struggle with manic-depression, and her lost childhood. No excuses.
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An Unquiet Mind, Kay Redfield Jamison. Knopf 1995
A professor of psychiatry delivers her account of her own struggle with manic-depression. Sharp and hopeful.
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Undercurrents: A Therapist's Reckoning with Her Own Depression, Martha Manning. Harper Collins1995. Paperback editions 1996
This book practically jumped off the shelf at me when I needed it most. I was on my way to the register with it before I had even read the title. I took it as a sign. My mom has borrowed my copy and lent it all over the universe, so I don't know if I'll ever see it again. You should get a copy, or at least see if you can get someone to lend you mine, wherever it is.
Martha Manning is funny and informative in the telling of her own passage through hell.
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This is the most useful book on bread baking I've ever seen. Even if you never use any of the recipes, this is the place to turn for quick reference. Simple breads, reliable recipes, no nonsense. Out of print, but amazon.com may be able to find it for you.
The Modern Art of Chinese Cooking, Barbara Tropp. William Morrow 1982Buy it from amazon.com