Stress Management The 10 Best Books About Loneliness of 2022 Finding peace in solitude By Emily Stone Emily Stone Emily is a writer specializing in health, wellness, and fitness. She writes about fitness and health products for Verywell Health, Verywell Mind, and Verywell Fit. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 21, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Carly Snyder, MD Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments. 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These numbers continue to rise, with young adults being hit the hardest. If you can relate, know that you are not alone. Reading can provide comfort and companionship through turbulent times. Whether seeking counsel or an escape, find comfort in our roundup of best books about loneliness. Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW—research professor, lecturer, and author—brings us on a journey to determine the meaning of belonging as a part of something bigger than ourselves and of standing alone. Throughout the book, Brown addresses what she calls the "current spiritual crisis of disconnection." She believes we live in a world that has lost the art of meaningful interaction, and we no longer know what it means to belong or how to connect with our peers. Through timely research, intertwined with personal anecdotes, Brown guides the reader on a path toward reconnecting with oneself and each other. Brown illustrates the journey of braving the wilderness—the place that is feared, the unknown—and how to navigate feelings of loneliness, discomfort, and division through authenticity and vulnerability. Price at time of publication: $18 Solitude: A Return to Self by Anthony Storr The late English psychiatrist Anthony Storr challenges the psychological paradigm that places interpersonal relationships at the forefront of contentment. Storr shows us to embrace solitude, as it's crucial to fostering creativity. Shining a light on self-discovery and independence, his insights widen our view of the relationship we have with ourselves and others, as well as how we define loneliness. Through examining the minds of prominent figures who lived in solitude—Beethoven, Kant, and Kipling—Storr pronounces his belief that there are other means of fulfillment and satisfaction. Without dismissing the importance of human interaction, Storr views solitude as being equally responsible for cultivating creativity and good health. Price at time of publication: $18 The Lonely City by Olivia Laing Olivia Laing tells the story of moving to New York City in her mid-thirties and feeling helplessly alone. Laing embarks on a mission to unearth what it truly means to feel alone by way of art. Her tale of self-discovery paints a picture of paralyzing loneliness, engulfed in a bustling metropolis. Through dissecting prominent works of art, from Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" and Andy Warhol's "Time Capsules", to Henry Darger's hoarding and the depredations of the AIDS crisis, Laing examines what it means to truly feel alone. Price at time of publication: $19 22 Mental Health Apps for Stress, Anxiety, and More The Friendship Formula by Kyler Shumway, PsyD At every age, we continue to seek new friendships, while also aspiring to strengthen existing relationships. Through psychological concepts and lessons, Kyler Shumway, PsyD. helps us understand our own minds as well as the needs and motives of others. Addressing the feelings of loneliness and isolation, Shumway’s teachings aim to give readers the tools to master the art of cultivating authentic relationships and fulfilling human connection. Throughout this book, he presents us with relevant research, scenarios, and discussion questions. Shumway addresses topics like communication styles, personality traits, and habits to help us discover our own psychological self and the purpose of friendship. Price at time of publication: $12 The World According to Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers Many of us grew up on the timeless teachings of Mr. Fred Rogers, aka Mister Rogers, on PBS’ “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood". Through a collection of Rogers’ personal stories, scripts, interviews, and insights, this book explores universal themes addressing love, courage, inner discipline, and unity. Through an unfiltered lens, Rogers discusses the realities of life—from the hardships to the high points—that connect us all as human beings, and most importantly, as neighbors. “Solitude is different from loneliness, and it doesn't have to be a lonely kind of thing,” Rogers said. His guidance and wisdom serve as comfort to readers, letting us know that our feelings of loneliness are valid and that we are truly not alone. Price at time of publication: $17 The 7 Best Self-Help Books to Change Your Life Unlonely Planet by Jillian Richardson Author and community builder, Jillian Richardson, shares a relatable tale of experiencing complete isolation in a big city. Richardson shares her vulnerable journey from loneliness to fulfillment through motivating and authentic storytelling. “Unlonely Planet” dives into the root of feeling alone and how to overcome this steep obstacle. Richardson provides readers with seven actionable steps toward finding a community and one’s own people. By shifting your mindset and view of community, this book provides a road map for fostering meaningful relationships. Richardson is the founder of The Joy List, a weekly newsletter inviting people to meet at events, highlighting facilitated moments of connection. Price at time of publication: $16 All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols Poet Morgan Harper Nichols shares a colorful collection of illustrated poetry and prose that inspires us to embrace the cards we are dealt and find the light in the present moment. Accompanied by her illustrations, Nichols helps readers find hope and positive affirmation. This ultimate love letter reminds us that we are not alone in our loneliness and that every day is an accomplishment. Stemming from a period of self-doubt, Nichols channeled her insecurity into creativity and connection. By inviting people to share their stories, she finds inspiration for her art and poetry. Her book is described as, "A celebration of hope. An encounter with grace. A restoration of the heart. A healing of wounds. An anthem of freedom.” By reading her book, Nichols hopes the reader will feel both spoken to and heard. Price at time of publication: $19 Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman Author Gail Honeyman observed that there's a blind spot in the conversation around loneliness. Thinking about how it might manifest itself differently in younger people and how the implications differ from generation to generation, Honeyman digs deeper. Also inspired by the idea of social awkwardness, Honeyman combined the two themes in her story about Eleanor Oliphant. The young adult lives a simple life, rarely straying from her normal routine. Whether it's her choice of clothing, brand of vodka, or how she spends her weekends, Oliphant chooses to live her life in a highly regimented manner. The uplifting story follows the quirky and socially awkward young woman as she navigates loneliness and meets a coworker who eventually changes her life forever. Price at time of publication: $27 Stop Being Lonely by Kira Asatryan There is a misconception that loneliness is a byproduct of physical isolation. In reality, it can happen when someone is both physically alone as well as with a group of people. Moreover, online friends don't necessarily fill the void for authentic relationships or fulfilling interactions. This practical book serves as a tool for anyone seeking “the feeling of closeness.” Relationship coach Kira Asatryan helps us cultivate closeness in all areas of our lives—with family, friends, romantic partners, and at work. Her simple and effective techniques give us the tools to form stronger relationships and conquer loneliness in social situations. Price at time of publication: $19 Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin Piggybacking on her book “The Happiness Project,” author Gretchen Rubin embarks on a quest to make home a happier place. Sparked by feeling homesick in her own home, Rubin examines her life—including possessions, parenthood, marriage, body, neighborhood, and time—and discovers which factors influence her personal happiness the most. Dedicating a school year to her self-discovery project, Rubin dissects every aspect of her life at home. She explores the meaning behind her decisions, actions, and needs, and implements ways to enrich her home with comfort, love, and simplicity. Throughout her one-year experiment, Rubin recounts the details of her journey: what she tried, what worked, and the lessons learned. Price at time of publication: $16 What to Look For in a Book About Loneliness Comforting Renowned author Ernest Hemingway once said, "There is no friend as loyal as a book." And in times of loneliness, a book that helps make sense of those feelings can be a life-changing companion. When seeking out a book on loneliness, it's important to look for something that will provide comfort. Comfort is subjective, so ask yourself what makes you feel most supported and seek that out in a book. This could be a story that makes you laugh or feel seen, a book filled with imagery or frameworks to build upon, or one that offers kind words and affirmations. Audiobooks are another great option for feeling less physically alone. If a book's summary doesn't give much away about its contents, looking up reviews online can be helpful. Relatable Stories Everyone feels lonely at some point in their lives—it's only natural. In fact, a 2020 survey of 10,000 adults found that 61% felt lonely. And thanks to the internet, it's easier than ever to find stories that mirror our own experiences. When seeking out a book to help cope with loneliness, finding a story you relate to can actually help you feel less alone. It's important to do your research when seeking out stories on loneliness. Just because a book is trendy or popular doesn't mean it's the right one for you. A book in which you relate to the author, their experience, the setting, or some other aspect of the story will have a greater impact and more staying power than one that's randomly selected. Inspirational It's important to seek out a book that will ultimately help you to feel better about life, not worse. By choosing a story that inspires you to be kinder to yourself or to go out in search of new connections and experiences, you're giving yourself something to work toward and look forward to. This alone can help combat loneliness. Inspirational books on this topic can look like a memoir of someone who overcame loneliness or found healthy ways of coping, or a guide filled with tips and strategies for putting yourself out there. A book that can help you better understand your own goals and aspirations will do more than just make you feel less lonely. Frequently Asked Questions How can I be OK with being alone? The first step toward feeling good while being alone is building a strong, healthy relationship with yourself. There's a difference between being alone and being lonely, and alone time can be incredibly fulfilling when it's spent getting to know yourself and doing things you enjoy.Keep in mind that too much time spent on social media can negatively impact alone time by actually increasing feelings of loneliness and causing FOMO, or "fear of missing out." Instead, fill your time with more beneficial habits and deepen your understanding of yourself and what matters to you. Do books help with loneliness? Studies have shown that just 30 minutes of reading can help reduce psychological distress. Whether you're reading or listening to an audiobook, losing yourself in a story can help combat feelings of loneliness.Even though reading is a solitary activity, diving into a book that's dedicated to dealing with loneliness can help you feel less alone in the moment while also providing tools to cope with those feelings in life. 3 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cigna. Cigna takes action to combat the rise of loneliness and improve mental wellness in America. Cigna. Loneliness and the workplace. Rizzolo D, Zipp G, Stiskal D, Simpkins S. Stress Management Strategies For Students: The Immediate Effects Of Yoga, Humor, And Reading On Stress. Journal of College Teaching & Learning (TLC). 2011;6(8). doi:10.19030/tlc.v6i8.1117 By Emily Stone Emily is a writer specializing in health, wellness, and fitness. She writes about fitness and health products for Verywell Health, Verywell Mind, and Verywell Fit. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist for Stress Management Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.