Published By: HarperCollins
Pages: 288
Released On: 12/09/2024
Through turbulent times, stories keep us afloat. Books, particularly, console and guide us, feed our souls and open our eyes to worlds, possibilities and experiences we have never considered before. Many of us have been self-medicating with books for years without identifying the practice as ‘bibliotherapy’. Celebrate the positive impact books can have on our lives with this collection of carefully curated suggestions for each life stage.
Stages include:
– New Beginnings
– First Loves and Great Loves
– Grief and Loss
– Self-Love and Self-Discovery
– Heartbreak
Use this book to identify the right reads for the right time, and to help you find the books that will always matter to you.
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I read a similar book a few years ago about bibliotherapy and it intrigued me so much that I signed up for an online course in it – which for some reason I never finished, must get back round to it. But I absolutely love the idea of bibliotherapy. Everyone I speak to think it’s absolute nonsense, but I believe that the right book can help you through just about anything. And I love giving books to people as gifts, it’s like I’m giving them a part of myself.
In her introduction, Molly talks about how books have been used for many years for people who are unwell, physically or mentally, and in hospital, and I completely agree. In May 2023, I spent 4 weeks in a neurology hospital, and whilst my treatment was not linked to reading, the huge pile of books I took with me (and the ones I subsequently bought in the nearby Waterstones after being told I had to walk in the community to regain my walking ability), helped me through what was one of the most difficult periods of y life. I ended up reading, I think, 4-5 books a week, before leaving them in the lounge area for other inpatient. I was also asked by nurses, doctors, and therapists for lists of books and recommendations, which I absolutely loved!
I read this in a matter of hours, cover to cover, but you can pick and choose the chapters you feel most suitable for you. It’s an easy read, quick to read but it’s interesting and thought-provoking and like talking to a friend. Molly seems to be able to talk directly to each reader, and it’s obvious the passion she has for books and reading and that’s just beautiful.
I’m going to contradict myself a bit here. I would have liked there to be less repetition, however, I am aware that some books can straddle different emotions and happenings and whatnot, but I’m greedy and just want more and more books.
The bad thing about this book is that it’s now given me a list of 63 more books I want to read! As if I needed any more!
Books By Your Bedside 