Written by Tess Ezzy
Look, you’ve made it to mid-session. Heroic. Whether you’ve been running on caffeine, crying over your textbook, or accidentally attending the wrong Zoom class for three weeks (we won’t tell), this is your sign to stop, breathe, and maybe… read something that doesn’t have endnotes.
Here are a few books to reset your brain, refill your vibe cup, and gently coax you back into being a functioning human. 
1. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Vibe: soft, weird, makes-you-cry-in-a-good-way.
For when: you’re feeling nostalgic but also existential.
This Japanese novel is about a tiny Tokyo café where you can time travel—but only until your coffee goes cold. It’s quirky, heartwarming, and short enough to finish in one sitting (aka one emotional breakdown).
2. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Vibe: creative pep talk with glitter thrown in.
For when: you’re in a slump and need someone to whisper, “you can do it, buddy” into your soul.
Gilbert makes you want to pick up a paintbrush, write bad poetry, or start that random idea you’ve had for six years. Zero guilt, just joy. Even if you’re not artsy, it’s still a vibe.
3. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Vibe: sweet, queer, and serotonin-packed.
For when: you need something wholesome to recover from uni life trauma.
This graphic novel series is basically a warm hug with pastel tones. Bonus: it’s now a Netflix show, so you can binge it after.
4. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Vibe: “what if” rabbit hole meets gentle life philosophy.
For when: you’re spiralling and wondering if you should’ve become a marine biologist.
In a magical library between life and death, every book is a life you could’ve lived. Deep? Yes. Comforting? Weirdly, also yes.
5. No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
Vibe: chaotic internet brain meets devastating reality check.
For when: you want to laugh and cry and say “what just happened?” out loud.
It’s about being Extremely Online and then having your whole worldview flipped. Short, sharp, and mind-bending in the best way.
Honourable Mentions:
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – don’t Google the twist.
- Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner – have tissues ready.
- The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green – essays about everything and nothing.
- You’re a Badass by Jen Sincero – for chaotic motivation vibes.
Pro tip: Grab any of these on audiobook and listen while you walk, clean, or lie on the floor staring at the ceiling like a Victorian ghost.
You don’t always need to be productive. You just need something nice in your brain. And sometimes, a good book is all it takes.
Charlie blog is a SSAF funded initiative.
