Reading to Heal

Amidst the mountain of self-help books, how do we know which ones are right for us? Bibliotherapy can show us! Reading to Heal is the first non-academic book on the topic of bibliotherapy. It is an accessible, useful and engaging resource that informs readers how to choose and use self-help books to deal with their personal issues. The book also gives guidance on how to read fiction and analyze characters and situations as they may relate to our own lives. Divided into two parts, each provides invaluable information for the self-help reader. Part I contains an historical overview and explanation of what bibliotherapy is and how it is useful. This section includes case studies, suggestions and exercises to illustrate how readers can get the most out of the material they read. Part II is arranged in categories -- from parenting to divorce to relationships -- that provide "bookscriptions" for people seeking advice, guidance and inspiration for each particular subject. These bookscriptions show the readers what to look for in a book and how to utilize the information it contains. For the fiction lover, Reading to Heal shows how to analyze the resources of fictional situations to better understand conflict management. Stanley provides case histories and examples of how to apply bibliotherapy to real-life situations, and includes recommendations and questions to stimulate discussion within groups and for self-exploration. A recommended reading list is included at the end of the book.