Why would anyone want to read a book that makes them feel uncomfortable?

Oh, trust me! Reading books that make you squirm can be so eye-opening. They challenge you, push your boundaries, and make you think about things differently. Sometimes it's just what you need to grow or see the world in a new light.

Can uncomfortable books help improve my mood?

Surprisingly, yes! Getting through a tough book can be rewarding. It can feel like an accomplishment and sometimes even give you a new perspective on your own life, which can actually feel pretty uplifting when you close that last page.

Are uncomfortable books always dark or heavy?

Not necessarily! They can tackle serious topics, but they don't always leave you feeling down. Sometimes they're uncomfortable because they introduce you to different cultures, unusual situations, or even stories that make you rethink what you believed.

Any tips on how to get through a discomforting book?

Sure! Take breaks if you need to; it's okay to pause and reflect. Discuss with friends or a book club—it can be comforting to know others are on the same weird and wonderful journey. And remember, it's okay if you don't like it in the end!

Why do some people love books that make them feel seen?

Relatability! There's nothing quite like finding a book that mirrors your own experiences or emotions. It can be super comforting and validating, like a friend who just gets you.

7 Books Guaranteed to Make You Feel Uncomfortable ...

Novels are there, essentially, to make you feel something. They'll make you fall in love, break your heart, make you laugh and much more. But then there are the novels you almost have to look away from, like you would a gory scene in a film. Of course, that doesn't help because the words are already wriggling in your head. I really admire authors who write like this - I think it's an extraordinary skill to make a reader feel like that just through words alone. So, if you're looking for an uncomfortable but powerful read, try one of these.

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1. Eat My Heart out by Zoe Pilger

Eat My Heart out by Zoe Pilger This is actually very tame compared to the other books on this list. Set in present-day London, it's a frank, very honest look at the life of a young woman unsure what she wants and who she is. The majority of the book is fine but there are a few scenes - horribly inappropriate one-night stands and animal murders - that left me feeling like I needed to close the book and walk away for a while.

***

Eat My Heart Out represents a raw, unsparing exploration of contemporary femininity through the eyes of its protagonist. Despite the humorous moments, Zoe Pilger doesn't shy away from exposing the darker, twisted side of her character's journey. Boldly confronting themes of sexuality, identity, and the pressure to conform, this narrative forces readers into an uncomfortable introspection about the complexities of modern relationships and the often-grim realities behind them. It's uneasy reading, challenging societal expectations and personal delusions with a narrative that oscillates between the disturbing and the all-too-real.

2. Tampa by Alissa Nutting

Tampa by Alissa Nutting You've probably seen the cover of this one - google it if not; graphic, but an example of just how powerful a good jacket design can be! It tells the story of a female teacher with a penchant for pre-pubescent boys and her affair with a student at her school. It doesn't spare any detail, but the most off-putting thing is the protagonist's total inability to see that she's doing anything wrong - and the way we, as a society, treat an attractive, young woman who is also a paedophile.

Frequently asked questions

: Oh, trust me! Reading books that make you squirm can be so eye-opening. They challenge you, push your boundaries, and make you think about things differently. Sometimes it's just what you need to grow or see the world in a new light.
: Surprisingly, yes! Getting through a tough book can be rewarding. It can feel like an accomplishment and sometimes even give you a new perspective on your own life, which can actually feel pretty uplifting when you close that last page.
: Not necessarily! They can tackle serious topics, but they don't always leave you feeling down. Sometimes they're uncomfortable because they introduce you to different cultures, unusual situations, or even stories that make you rethink what you believed.
: Sure! Take breaks if you need to; it's okay to pause and reflect. Discuss with friends or a book club—it can be comforting to know others are on the same weird and wonderful journey. And remember, it's okay if you don't like it in the end!
: Relatability! There's nothing quite like finding a book that mirrors your own experiences or emotions. It can be super comforting and validating, like a friend who just gets you.

3. The End of Alice by a M Homes

The End of Alice by a M Homes I found this when I was much younger (too young) in the classics section of a Waterstones in an airport and happily took it with me as a beach read. It is truly horrendous - easily the most disturbing book I have ever read. The protagonist is in prison and the story of why he's there unfurls gradually - A M Homes reveals his monstrous nature so slowly that the ending, when we find out what exactly it is that he did, is even more shocking. It's a testament to her great writing that the reader feels sorry for him, and then is left feeling horribly guilty for that by the end.

***

I stumbled upon this dark treasure far earlier in life than I should've. Nestled among the supposedly tame titles typical of airport bookstores, I could never have guessed the content would haunt me for years to come. A.M. Homes crafts a narrative that tears at the edges of comfort, leading us through a psychological labyrinth with enough twists to make your stomach churn. The slow reveal of the protagonist's heinous acts is both masterful and manipulative, ensnaring us in a sickening sympathy before snatching it away. It's a book that blurs the lines between disgust and curiosity, making it an unexpectedly potent read.

4. Guts by Chuck Palahnuik

Guts by Chuck Palahnuik A friend told me to read this and to be prepared to feel a little ill. Palahnuik isn't exactly known for mincing his words and this short story, part of a larger collection called Haunted, is tough-going. It'll only take you a minute to read, but don't do it over lunch. Apparently, people actually had to leave during a reading of this because it was too much for them. Don't say I didn't warn you.

***

Guts by Chuck Palahnuik is a short story that is part of a larger collection called Haunted. This story is not for the faint of heart. Palahnuik is known for his frank and honest writing style, and this story is no exception. It's not for the faint of heart, and it's definitely not for reading over lunch. In fact, when Palahnuik read it at a book reading, some people had to leave because it was too much for them.

The story is about a young boy who is dared by his friends to put his hand in a carnival game. He does it, and the consequences are dire. He ends up in the hospital and has to have his hand amputated. The story is a powerful exploration of the consequences of taking risks and the power of peer pressure. It also speaks to our culture's obsession with taking risks, no matter how dangerous they may be.

5. The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks

The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks There are so many things wrong with the protagonist of this book that I'm not sure where to start. It follows the story of Frank, a teenager living on an isolated island with his father. As we read, we learn that he's probably murdered two people before reaching the age of ten, and makes a habit of torturing animals. He also has a brother who's escaped from a psychiatric hospital. And wait 'til you find out what the wasp factory is.

***

Iain Banks' "The Wasp Factory" is a grim tale that forces us to peer into the mind of a character whose morality is as stark and desolate as the Scottish island he inhabits. This novel, suffused with dark humor and chilling moments, exposes us to a warped family legacy and bizarre coming-of-age rituals. Frank's unsettling inner world, replete with symbolic violence, is constructed with a strange logic that turns the stomach while piquing morbid curiosity. Few stories disturb on such a visceral level, ensuring that the impression it leaves is as indelible as it is distressing.

6. We Have Always Lived in the Castle

We Have Always Lived in the Castle If you read any book on this list, make it this. I don't think this has ever received the acclaim it deserves, and it remains one of the best books I have ever read. It tells the story of Constance and her sister, Merricat, following the deaths of their entire family by arsenic poison. It's a murder case that was never solved, and now the sisters live alone in the isolated house, hated by the townspeople. It's Merricat that's the truly unsettling thing about this book, though - you'll get the sense straight away that's there's something a little...off.

***

Shirley Jackson's uncanny ability to weave psychological unease into narrative is on full display here. As you delve deeper into the Blackwood sisters' bizarre routines and rites, the atmosphere of the novel thickens with a palpable sense of dread. The story masterfully unfolds, revealing the layers of trauma and secrecy that bind and isolate them. We Have Always Lived in the Castle blurs the lines between victim and perpetrator, leaving you questioning the nature of innocence and guilt throughout. Jackson's nuanced storytelling will leave you with a lingering discomfort long after the final page.

7. Perfume by Patrick Suskind

Perfume by Patrick Suskind The beautiful, lyrical quality of Suskind's writing makes a very dark story easy to read in Perfume. It's about a man born with no smell of his own, but a heightened ability to smell others. So, he sets out to create the perfect scent by murdering young, female virgins.

So, I'm not suggesting you take any of those on your summer holidays this year. But whether you enjoy them or not - and I'm not sure 'enjoy' is the right word - you'll certainly remember them. What books have you read that have disturbed you?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

American psycho..... It was grotesque yet super powerful!!

Ugggggg who would read these books it's disgusting

Definitely going to read all of these !!!

I only read Perfume from this list and it's one of my favorite books.

What about "We need to talk about Kevin"?That was a horrific,intense and uncomfortable book.

Second star to the right is a disturbing book.. Also my name is Catherine

OMG there was a movie done on the book perfume! It was really good!! But really wrong! It was called parfume so maybe it was french I am uncertain of that but I remember watching it and he makes the perfume... just ugh but so intriguing! The end was ridiculous!

Sound weirdly interesting.

"After" is a disturbing and intense book

I started reading Perfume and I was really enjoying it, but when the killings started I couldn't go on; I left it, that's why I think I wouldn't read any of these books, thanks for the warning!!

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