Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that happens during the same season of the year every year. The winter blues are a milder condition similar to this one that has some of the same symptoms and many of the same treatment options, although some people also use that term colloquially to refer to SAD.
As someone who has SAD and struggles with winter because of it, I thought I’d use this week’s freebie post to share some books about it. Both fiction and nonfiction titles are included. I haven’t read most of them yet, but I’d like to!
1. The Girl and the Grove by Eric Smith
2. Super Chill: A Year of Living Anxiously by Adam Ellis
3. Light Boxes by Shane Jones
4. Stay and Fight by Madeline Ffitch
5. Winter Blues: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder by Norman E. Rosenthal
6. Defeating SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder): A Guide to Health and Happiness Through All Seasons by Norman E. Rosenthal
If you have a medical condition or conditions, which books about it or them are you aware of? Would you recommend reading those books to people who want to learn more?
I read somewhere that January or February is the cloudiest months of the year and I think the gloomy weather can have a negative affect. Hope you find some great things to cheer you this winter. 🙂
Thank you. 🙂 Yeah, those are the worst months.
I know a little about SAD, my friend swears by daylight temperature light bulbs through their whole house and a special daylight lamp.
Happy Tuesday
They really do help!
Oh wow, I don’t think I have run into this in fiction. Thanks for sharing.
I assume you have the special light box, that you can put on your desk etc. Very efficient, says a friend of mine who suffers from SAD.
Here is mine, I have done that for several years for the December freebie: https://wordsandpeace.com/2025/12/02/top-ten-2025-books-with-one-word-titles/
Yes, I have. I use it every day from late autumn until spring. if only there were more books on this subject.
What a great way to use the freebie!
Thank you. 🙂
I sometimes wonder if the acronym was on purpose…
Same here. 🙂 I did try to leave a comment on your post, by the way, but I’m not sure if it went through.
Thank you for sharing about your experience with SAD and for this list of recs! I have to say, Eric Smith writes about such a wide range of topics—I love his stories. I hope you have find something(s) to spark joy for you this coming season, Lydia!
Thank you very much, Dini.
I do everything I can to avoid this—getting out whenever there is even a little ray of sunshine…keeping in contact with people…trying to stay true to the natural rhythms of the day and night.
Thank you for this list of recommended books.
You’re welcome. I’m sorry winter is a struggle for you as well.
Great idea for this week’s freebie. My son has been a using a SAD lamp for a couple of years now, and definitely finds it helpful.
They are very helpful for sure.
I’m sorry that you have to deal with this. One of the best things about where I live is that there is rarely any snow and there are more bright and sunny days than there aren’t. Thank you for posting such useful books and hopefully one of them will help someone this year!
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
You’re welcome. Thank you for your kind words.
Great post!
Thanks.
Very timely list. Have you read Wintering by Katherine May?
Yes, I have. It was a good read.
An interesting list.
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/top-ten-tuesday-freebie-christmas-books/
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing. It’s nice to have books to learn more about this and I hope this winter will be kinder to you.
You’re welcome, and thank you.
Some years seem worse than others, but the weather truly does impact one’s health and happiness. I hope that this winter is a bit kinder to you. And thank you for sharing titles to help us all understand it a bit better.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/december-2025-holiday-tbr-will-i-read-them-all/
You’re welcome. I hope this is a better winter for you.
This was such a great post. I learned about this in some of my Psych classes. I’m sorry that you suffer from SAD. Thank you, for sharing and having recommendations for books to read. I’m sure it’s so helpful to someone! <3
Thank you so much, Leslie. I’m sorry my comments don’t seem to be coming through some weeks.
Such a great post and information, Lydia. I wish the winter months weren’t so difficult for you. Sending you sunshiney hugs and love.
Thank you very much.
Such a great topic! I am sure this will help some people out!
Thank you. 🙂
I don’t have a problem with SAD myself, but then I live in an area where even in the winter we get plenty of sunny / partially sunny days. Instead, I have to worry about wildfires which make my asthma tons worse.
I hope you are able to take walks on some of these winter days which can help lift your mood! I know you enjoy being out among nature.
Oh, I’m sorry. Wildfires are awful. Thank you for your kind words.
I had no idea there were books that dealt with this disorder. Nice list!
Thank you. I just wish there were more.
I really like it when there’s a “freebie” for TTT, because people come up with really unique topics. I’m sure a lot of people will appreciate your post.
I totally agree with you there. 🙂
Hello Lydia, what a lovely idea of topic for this week’s freebie. I struggle with anxiety and low mood, which is worse in winter. I am reading this with my S.A.D lamp on. While not directly linked to a condition, I found Wintering by Katherine May a wonderful read about going through difficult times.
Blessings, Jessica 💌
Thank you very much. I”m sorry you have SAD as well. Wintering is a great book sort-of related to this subject.t