Why reading is a form of therapy

Summary Bibliotherapy, the practice of reading for wellness, provides a powerful way to relax and gain personal insights. For most of us, “there’s not really too many opportunities to slow down and turn inward,” said Rumble, who teaches a course on bibliotherapy at Queens College in New York City. “Sometimes we read something reframe our perspective.” Rumble said stories also remind readers that they’re not the only ones who are suffering. “When you’re looking at it through the lens of a fictional character,” she said, “it becomes a lot easier to talk about some of those painful memories or to consider different experiences that you’ve had.” Don’t set book goals Despite the benefits of books, people have been reading less. Rumble recently spent two months reading Imani Perry’s book “Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People.” As she read along, she listened to blues music and checked out other books that Perry referenced.