Bibliotherapy by Bijal Shah, First Read

Its my reading vlog. Its almost one hour of reading. Which shows that I do read. 😁

I am currently reading the book "Bibliotherapy" by Bijal Shah. In the book, the author speaks about the therapeutic power of reading. Up to now, I have read till the chapter where she shares her encounter with Bibliotherapy. Before that, she speaks about what bibliotherapy is, and its ancient origin. Interestingly, the word itself wasn’t famous until the 20th century. But the practice was there or atleast people did experience the healing powers of the books which they read. Books, especially with the stories that relate to people and their situation. The relatability enables the reader to get into the story and empathize with their favourite character, and then experience the catharsis.

According to the author books allow us to have that virtual experience about the things which we cannot have in real life. The role of the reader is dual the one who observers the character as well as one who experiences. This makes the book a therapeutic tool for the readers and reader is free of any fear of judgement which he might have while sharing things with the therapist. But with the book it becomes much more easier for the reader to observe ones own thoughts and gain understanding about the self, leading the author to claim bibliotherapy is a self-therapy. (Obviously, not all mental illnesses can be healed by bibliotherapy, but it can be complementary).