The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (1986, Paperback)

It's hard to not be obsessed by this book. It's alot of psychology...thinly veiled autobiography. the honesty is what got me. It's hard to admit that you have psychological disorders...let alone write, in detail about trying to kill yourself and your obsessions. THe main character, Esther, is a great medium to learn about Plath. Her writing is impeccable and when I first read it, I wished she had lived to write more prose. It's a beautiful and stunning piece of work. Just as pleasing to hear and read as her poetry. If you like emotional work, if you can handle raw hate and despair, you need to read this. It changed my writing style. If you're a writer, you REALLY need to read this.