Reading to Heal : How to Use Bibliotherapy to Improve Your Life

by Jacqueline D. Stanley

Book by Stanley, Jacqueline D.

Genres: Nonfiction, Books About Books, Self Help

244 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

Also writes as Jacqueline Stanley, without the 'D,' but is not to be confused with another author of that name.

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the whole Cinematherapy
idea; I love the bibliotherapy
idea even more, though I'm not
convinced of the effectiveness of
either (or in any type of therapy,
actually). Nevertheless, this
might be a professional option
for me, combining two of my
favorite things, books and trying
to understand human beings.

[Semi-Academic Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

Filled mostly with lists, the book dragged on. The great quotes and few worthwhile references can probably be found in other titles of interest by authors who have taken the time to really study any of the subjects this author seemed to quickly throw together booklists about.

[Karla Strand · Rating 1 out of 5]

The biggest issue I have with this book is that what the writer is describing is reading, the benefits of reading, what to read on certain topics, etc. But it’s not bibliotherapy. And I’m not referring to only clinical bibliotherapy as practiced in hospitals, etc. but this isn’t developmental bibliotherapy either, as these both benefit from a trained facilitator and - most importantly - discussion with at least one other, most often a group. What a librarian does is reader’s advisory, for instance, without the depth, understanding, or therapeutic nature of bibliotherapy. What a teacher or friend does is suggests books you might like or that you may learn from to help a situation, but without the depth, expertise, discussion, and time, it’s not bibliotherapy. I’m not saying one needs to be a therapist or doctor, etc., like in clinical bibliotherapy, but at least have training in group facilitation, communication, psychology, librarianship, bibliotherapy, etc. in order to do developmental bibliotherapy effectively. So what got me (clearly!) was the indication that this is bibliotherapy. If it lost the subtitle and the use of the word bibliotherapy and just focused on reading as individual tool for addressing issues in life then maybe I would’ve liked it better. In addition, I’m a stickler for editing and also read this when it was already quite dated, both of which swayed my reactions to it.

The book lists and ideas in this one might serve general readers or those who want to read more, but if you’re looking at clinical or developmental bibliotherapy as a practice, this isn’t it.

[Edwin Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I was interested in the concept of Bibliotherapy. The whole book is basically this, identify what areas of your life need healing. Spend time narrowing down your struggles, stresses, and areas of desired growth and be your own therapist through reading well. The book was helpful for me in that it encouraged me to read in certain fields I would not have thought about prior to this book (science fiction).

[Jill]

This is an awesome book. Now to find the books I want to read to help me.

[Nancy Svinicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little outdated, but it does give a good foundation for what bibliotherapy is, and techniques/tactics to use in the process of bibliotherapy. The understanding and discussion of mental illness can be triggering - it focuses on how people with mental illness need to be 'cured.' I took this book to be a product of its time, and to be liberal for the time period, but ultimately, the advice given for mental health is not useful to me.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is good for the personal bibliotherapist but not a lot of scientific research or enough of a professional lens to take to heart.