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12 Books to Cure What Ails You

Like Monsieur Jean Perdu of The Little Paris Bookshop, we're recommending literary prescriptions.

By RIF Editorial Team • 5 years ago

The Little Paris Bookshop’s Monsieur Jean Perdu calls himself a book apothecary; from a barge on the Seine, he prescribes the perfect novels and nonfiction for all of life’s ailments, mending broken hearts and souls, and proving the power of stories to shape people’s lives. Here are some of author Nina George’s favorite fast-acting medicines for minds and hearts affected by minor or moderate emotional turmoil. To be taken in easily digestible doses (between five and 50 pages) unless otherwise indicated and, if possible, with warm feet and/or with a cat on your lap. These books will have you feeling better instantly.


Featured Image: @mbriney/Unsplash

  • The cover of the book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

    Douglas Adams

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    Effective in large doses for treating pathological optimism or a sense of humor failure. Ideal for sauna-goers with exhibitionist tendencies.

    Side effects: An aversion to owning things, and a potentially chronic tendency to wear a robe all day.

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  • The cover of the book Don Quixote

    Don Quixote

    Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra

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    To be taken when your ideals clash with reality.

    Side effects: Anxiety about modern technology and about the destructive effects of machines, which we fight as though they were windmills.

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  • The cover of the book Pippi Longstocking

    Pippi Longstocking

    Astrid Lindgren

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    Effective against acquired (rather than innate) pessimism, and a fear of miracles.

    Side effects: Diminished numeracy skills; singing in the shower.

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  • The cover of the book A Game of Thrones

    A Game of Thrones

    George R. R. Martin

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    Helps one to kick a TV habit and to cope with lovesickness, the hassles of daily life and tedious dreams.

    Side effects: Insomnia; unsettling dreams.

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  • The cover of the book Moby-Dick

    Moby-Dick

    Herman Melville

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    For vegetarians.

    Side effects: A fear of water.

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  • The cover of the book The Man Without Qualities, Vol. 1

    The Man Without Qualities, Vol. 1

    Robert Musil

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    A book for men who’ve forgotten what they wanted from life. A remedy for aimlessness.

    Side effects: The effects are gradual: after two years, your life will have changed forever. The main risks are that you will alienate all your friends, develop a predisposition to social satire, and suffer from recurring dreams.

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  • The cover of the book 1984

    1984

    George Orwell

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    Reduces gullibility and apathy. Old home remedy for chronic optimism, but past its sell-by date.

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  • The cover of the book Raising Steam

    Raising Steam

    Terry Pratchett

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    Terry Pratchett has so far published 40 novels, “The Color of Magic” being the first, and “Raising Steam” the most recent.

    For the world-weary and the dangerously naïve. Mind-warping stuff, even for novices.

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  • The cover of the book His Dark Materials

    His Dark Materials

    Philip Pullman

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    For those who occasionally hear imaginary voices, and believe they have an animal soul mate.

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  • The cover of the book Dracula

    Dracula

    Bram Stoker

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    Recommended for those susceptible to boring dreams and those who sit, waiting, by the phone (“Will he ever ring?”).

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  • The cover of the book The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

    The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

    Mark Twain

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    To overcome adult worries and rediscover the child within.

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  • The cover of the book The Enchanted April

    The Enchanted April

    Elizabeth von Arnim

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    For indecision and for trusting one’s friends.

    Side effects: Falling in love with Italy; a yearning for the south; a heightened sense of justice.

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  • The cover of the book The Little Paris Bookshop
    Featured Book

    The Little Paris Bookshop

    Nina George

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