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Quick answer: If you liked Turtles All the Way Down, try Challenger Deep, Under Rose-Tainted Skies, Counting by 7s, The Rest of Us Just Live Here, Looking for Alaska and Highly Illogical Behavior. These books treat anxiety, OCD and friendship with honesty and heart.
John Green's novel follows Aza Holmes, a teen whose thought spirals shape every part of her life, while a missing billionaire gives the story its mystery. Readers who connect with Aza look for books that treat mental health honestly, without making it only a problem to solve. These 15 books cover anxiety, OCD, grief and friendship. Some include heavy topics like self-harm or suicide.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Challenger Deep | Neal Shusterman | 14+ | readers who want an honest, inventive portrayal |
| Under Rose-Tainted Skies | Louise Gornall | 14+ | readers who want a close-up of anxiety |
| Counting by 7s | Holly Goldberg Sloan | 10-14 | younger readers |
| The Rest of Us Just Live Here | Patrick Ness | 13+ | readers who like humor with heart |
| Looking for Alaska | John Green | 15+ | more by the same author |
| Paper Towns | John Green | 14+ | readers who like mystery |
| An Abundance of Katherines | John Green | 14+ | readers who want a lighter tone |
| The Impossible Knife of Memory | Laurie Halse Anderson | 14+ | readers who want family stories |
| Girl in Pieces | Kathleen Glasgow | 15+ | older teens |
| Highly Illogical Behavior | John Corey Whaley | 14+ | readers who like friendship stories |
| Hold Still | Nina LaCour | 14+ | readers who want a gentle story about grief |
| Wintergirls | Laurie Halse Anderson | 15+ | older teens ready for heavy topics |
| Speak | Laurie Halse Anderson | 13+ | readers who want a modern classic |
| Reasons to Stay Alive | Matt Haig | Adult | readers who want nonfiction |
| The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Stephen Chbosky | 15+ | readers who like an honest narrator |
1. Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
Caden Bosch slips into mental illness and imagines himself aboard a ship headed to the deepest part of the ocean. Based on the author's son's experience.
Best for: readers who want an honest, inventive portrayal.
2. Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall
Norah has agoraphobia and OCD, and her life changes when a new neighbor reaches out. Raw and sensitive.
Best for: readers who want a close-up of anxiety.
3. Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Willow Chance, a genius who is obsessed with the number seven, loses her parents and builds a new family. Warm and hopeful.
Best for: younger readers.
4. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
While chosen ones save the world, ordinary teens, including one with OCD, deal with real life. Funny and clever.
Best for: readers who like humor with heart.
5. Looking for Alaska by John Green
Miles meets Alaska at boarding school and his life changes forever. A story about grief and meaning.
Best for: more by the same author.
6. Paper Towns by John Green
Quentin follows clues left by his neighbor Margo after she disappears. A mystery that questions how well we know people.
Best for: readers who like mystery.
7. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Colin, a former prodigy who was dumped by nineteen girls named Katherine, takes a road trip. Light, funny and nerdy.
Best for: readers who want a lighter tone.
8. The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson
Hayley's father returns from war with PTSD, and she tries to protect him and herself. Powerful and tender.
Best for: readers who want family stories.
9. Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
Charlotte, a teen who self-harms, leaves a treatment center and tries to build a life. Intense and moving, with heavy content.
Best for: older teens.
10. Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley
Lisa wants to cure Solomon's agoraphobia to get into college, but they become real friends. Funny, gentle and queer-inclusive.
Best for: readers who like friendship stories.
11. Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Caitlin finds her late best friend's notebook after Ingrid's suicide. Quiet and thoughtful.
Best for: readers who want a gentle story about grief.
12. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Lia struggles with anorexia after the death of her friend Cassie. Haunting and heavy, with strong content notes.
Best for: older teens ready for heavy topics.
13. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Melinda stops talking after an assault at a summer party. A classic about trauma and speaking up.
Best for: readers who want a modern classic.
14. Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Matt Haig writes about his own depression and how he survived it. Short, hopeful and practical.
Best for: readers who want nonfiction.
15. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Charlie writes letters about high school and a past he does not fully understand. A modern YA classic.
Best for: readers who like an honest narrator.
How to Choose
If you want a close-up of OCD or anxiety, start with Under Rose-Tainted Skies, Challenger Deep or Highly Illogical Behavior. For lighter reads, try An Abundance of Katherines or The Rest of Us Just Live Here. Girl in Pieces, Wintergirls and Speak include self-harm, eating disorders or assault, so read them when you feel ready. If you or someone you know needs help in the US, call or text 988.
Related: 15 Books Like All the Light We Cannot See You’ll Love · What Is the Best-Selling Book of All Time?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Turtles All the Way Down portray OCD accurately?
John Green has said that Aza's experience is based on his own OCD, which is why many readers feel it is honest.
Is it a mystery or a mental health book?
Both. The missing billionaire is the plot, and Aza's thought spirals are the heart.
What age is it for?
It is usually shelved as young adult, for ages 14 and up, and many adults love it too.