Autobiographies are typically included along with self-help books on resource lists for mental health clients. Although first-person narratives may have advantages of reader identification with the protagonist, little research has been done on this issue. One problem is that book categories overlap, e.g., some novels are autobiographical, and some autobiographies have been fictionalized. In view of this overlap, exclusive reliance on any single book type has limited clinical justification. What is needed is an anthology of recent first-person accounts of mental disorders based on the potential benefit of selections for clients and families. Outcome research is required on use of prescribed reading of autobiography during therapy. Another unexplored area of research is the use of a journal by clients in therapy. Ethical issues associated with this are discussed. (JDM)