If You’re Stressed, Anxious, Or Depressed, This Is Your Counterintuitive Medicine | Rabbi Sharon Brous

The Bell Jar is a thinly veiled autobiography that follows Esther Greenwood, a talented and ambitious college student, as she experiences a mental breakdown. The novel begins with Esther's unfulfilling summer internship as a guest editor for a women's magazine in New York City, where she grapples with identity and societal norms. Upon returning home, Esther's mental health deteriorates, leading to several suicide attempts and eventual hospitalization. The novel explores her treatment, including electroconvulsive therapy, and her gradual recovery under the care of a progressive psychiatrist. It also critiques the limited roles available to women in the 1950s and the brutal psychiatric treatments of the time.

Lonesome Dove is a classic Western novel that follows the journey of two former Texas Rangers, Augustus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call, as they embark on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. The novel is renowned for its vivid descriptions of the American West, its exploration of themes such as friendship, loyalty, and the decline of the Old West, and its well-developed characters. It is the third book in the Lonesome Dove series and is widely regarded as McMurtry's magnum opus.

In "The Amen Effect," Rabbi Sharon Brous addresses the modern crisis of loneliness and social isolation. She argues that turning towards each other with vulnerability and compassion is crucial for individual and collective healing. The book explores ancient Jewish rituals and practices to illustrate the importance of human connection. Brous offers practical tips and exercises for improving social health and fostering deeper relationships. Ultimately, the book emphasizes the spiritual necessity of joy and the power of human interaction to mend broken hearts and heal the world.

In 'Finding the Words,' Colin Campbell shares his deeply personal story of losing his two teenage children to a drunk driver. He challenges common wisdom on grieving, which often suggests that the process is private and mysterious, and that the pain is too great to be expressed in words. Instead, Campbell provides an alternative path that is active and vocal, emphasizing the importance of community support, mourning rituals, and expressing grief to honor loved ones. The book is full of practical advice on how to survive the aftermath of loss and live more fully while holding loved ones close.