I am an avid reader. The kind of reader who can’t put the book down long enough to unload the dishwasher or cook supper. It’s a bit problematic sometimes.

My favorite genre by far is historical fiction. It’s what I read most, and also what I write most these days (outside of my posts here, of course). You may be surprised to know that there are a good number of books in that genre that represent chronic illness and disability!

If you are a fellow hist fic junkie and looking for a book that represents some diverse experiences, check out a few of these titles.

*Several of these books deal with mental health issues. While I won’t describe the situations the characters face explicitly, I do reference the types of mental health issues they have (such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal ideation, etc).

Veiled in Smoke– by Jocelyn Green

This book takes place during the Great Chicago Fire, and features a character with PTSD, depression, and social anxiety. The writer does a good job of describing the sensation of detachment that often accompanies depression.

Fair as a Star by Mimi Matthews

The story centers around a young woman with depression and a history of suicidal attempt. I loved the way the male protagonist helps her to find simple ways to cope with her depression.

Not by Sight by Kate Breslin

The male lead character in this story loses his sight. I thought this story did a beautiful job of showing both the challenge of adjusting to a disability like that, and also the compassionate and thoughtful ways the female lead character helps him to experience the world around him and find himself again.

Miss Wilton’s Waltz by Josi S. Kilpack

In this story, the protagonist suffers from severe social anxiety. Throughout the story, she uses concrete coping skills to help her manage her anxiety, including grounding, box breathing, etc. It’s the first time I’ve seen those types of tools referenced specifically in historical fiction.

The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews

The female lead in this story is probably one of the most compassionate people I’ve encountered in fiction. There is a moment early on that is absolutely breathtaking in its thoughtfulness, where the female lead character very subtly lends support to the male protagonist (who has impaired mobility and chronic pain caused by an injury). The whole story is moving, but that moment, alone, makes my list of top favorite book scenes.

Still my Forever by Kim Vogel Sawyer

While it’s not one of the main characters in the book, a secondary character in this story lives with the long-term effects of an illness. She has chronic fatigue, heart complications, and is prone to illness. Her health is somewhat of a central theme in the story as her family works to care for her and she struggles to still be an active part of their lives.

What about you? What kinds of stories have you found that represent characters from the chronic illness or disability community? What do you wish you could see more of?