books
February 6, 2026
Nussaibah Younis: ‘The Bell Jar helped me through my own mental illness’
The author on taking solace in Joan Didion, discovering Donna Tartt and being cheered up by David Sedaris
TL;DR
- Early reading memories include Enid Blyton's Malory Towers and St Clare's.
- Roald Dahl's 'Matilda' was a favorite growing up, influencing a childhood attempt at telekinesis.
- Sylvia Plath's 'The Bell Jar' provided a crucial framework for understanding mental illness during adolescence.
- Evelyn Waugh's 'Scoop' inspired Younis's debut novel.
- Donna Tartt's 'The Secret History' became a significant read during a period of solitude.
- Joan Didion's 'The Year of Magical Thinking' is a reread for comfort during grief.
- Younis avoids Philip Roth's 'Portnoy's Complaint' due to its portrayal of characters.
- Betty Friedan's 'The Feminine Mystique' altered her views on societal expectations for women.
- Currently reading Paul Beatty's 'Slumberland', appreciating its sharp observations on racism.
- David Sedaris is a comfort read for cheering up.
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