We’re building a community one book at a time by sharing the reads that inspire us. We’re asking community members about what’s on their nightstands or devices to enrich our “to-be-read” lists and celebrate Bay Area libraries and independent book vendors. Check out these recommendations for books addressing homelessness and mental health to find your next good read. And if you are looking for more recommendations or have one of your own, click the buttons below!
Who: Anita Katz, freelance writer and film critic
Recommendation: “The Lost and the Found: A True Story of Homelessness, Found Family and Second Chances” by Kevin Fagan
Why it’s a good read: The character-driven work compellingly explores the entwined tragedies of homelessness and addiction with statistics, insights and human stories. The book covers the journeys of two people who were reunited with their estranged families; and while one takes a heartbreaking turn, both give homelessness a human face and contain terrific hope and joy.
Synopsis: Written by an award-winning former reporter and editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, who covered homelessness in an acclaimed series and lived on the street himself, the book explains what’s behind the homelessness epidemic in San Francisco, offering extensively researched commentary on the city’s housing market and policy choices as well as personal stories of two unhoused people who tried to change their situation.
Check if the book is available to borrow from your local library.
Who: Joe Dworetzky, Bay City News reporter
Recommendation: “San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities” by Michael Shellenberger
Why it’s a good read: This is not a book that I loved and there was much that I disagreed with, but I recommend it because homelessness, mental illness and addiction are such pervasive problems in San Francisc; and it was excellent to read a deep dive into them by someone who challenges the orthodoxy of the current approaches and forces the reader to look at how those policies have actually worked.
Synopsis: The author looks at progressive approaches to homelessness, mental health and addiction and makes a powerful case that the existing approaches have not worked well and in some cases are immeasurably cruel. He is most comfortable when using statistics to support his points. He is best at pointing out what is not working, less so in proposing and supporting solutions, but his viewpoint should be at the table when discussing approaches of these three banes of urban life.
Check if the book is available to borrow from your local library.
Who: Katherine Rowlands, publisher of Bay City News
Recommendation: “My Brother’s Keeper” by Nicholas Rosenlicht, M.D.
Why it’s a good read: Many of us struggle with the question of how we can help when confronted with the mental health crisis afflicting so many of our communities. Rosenlicht accurately notes that we are all impacted by the failure of our healthcare system to effectively manage the mental health crisis that so often leads to homelessness and even prison instead of proper care. His book outlines the problem and also some solutions. Rosenlicht does not mince words when describing the state of mental healthcare in the U.S. as “nothing short of atrocious.”
Synopsis: The clinical professor at the UC San Francisco School of Medicine with more than 40 years of clinical, research, administrative and teaching experience brings a wealth of knowledge to mental health crisis in the United States and also outlines some solutions for reform. This book is a good and well-sourced read for policy makers and anyone with concern about the need for better care.
Check if the book is available to borrow from your local library.
The post One Good Read: Books addressing homelessness and mental health appeared first on Local News Matters.