Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah

Dear Listener, Following International Women's Day 2025, and in celebration of Women's History Month this March, I have selected a notable set of thought-provoking books that explore women's stories - their resilience, courage and drive.  These spotlight the journeys of courageous women, trailblazers, and change-makers from around the world. From memoirs and biographies to fiction t...

Dear Listener, In today's voicenote, I talk to Stephanie Affinito, Literacy Coach, Bookologist and Host of the Get Lit(erate) Podcast, on the role of literary journaling & reflective practice in bibliotherapy plus more. Enjoy! Warmly, Bijal Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

Dear Listener, Get ready to dive into a year of literary magic with my most anticipated reads of 2025, where unforgettable characters, gripping plots, and thought-provoking themes promise to captivate your imagination. From epic adventures to heartwarming tales, these books are set to redefine storytelling and leave a lasting mark on your bookshelves! I hope you enjoy the listen! Warmly, Bijal x B...

Dear Listener, In today's voicenote, I share my personal reflections on Bibliotherapy in 2024. I hope you enjoy the listen! Bijal x Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io Support the show Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe t...

Dear Listener, In this special voicenote, I share a short, curated list of my favorite books, movies, TV show, and a quote from 2024. Join me as I explore the stories and moments that left a lasting impression. From page-turning reads to thought-provoking screen gems, this episode is a small celebration of some of the art and words that shaped my 2024.  I hope you enjoy the listen! Warmly, Bijal x...

Dear Listener, In today's voicenote, we explore scriptotherapy and how it is used alongside bibliotherapy. Enjoy! Bijal x Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io Support the show Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my subst...

Dear Listener, This week, we’re diving into the type of books that don’t just tell a great story or share a great idea, but truly change lives . What makes a book life-changing? It’s one that lingers in your thoughts, shifts your perspective, or nudges you to take action. And what better gift to give someone than a book that has the potential to inspire, empower, or transform their life? Whether y...

Dear Listener, In today's voicenote, I share some of my favourite bookish gifts, including some bibliotherapy options too, to inspire your gift giving ahead of the festive season :) Enjoy! Warmly, Bijal Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, my name is Bijal Shah and I am a bibl...

Following on from last week's voice note on Indian Rasa Theory & Bibliotherapy, I wanted to dive into the rich and evocative world of Indian literature—both fiction and nonfiction—to uncover its therapeutic power and heartwarming and uplifting effect. How can the words of writers from this diverse and multicultural land offer solace, healing, and insight in our own lives? Listen to the ep...

Dear Listener, In today's voicenote we delve into the timeless wisdom of Indian Rasa Theory—an ancient Indian philosophy of emotions—and explore its fascinating role in modern bibliotherapy. I hope you find this blend of tradition and healing both enjoyable and valuable :) Bijal x Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy ------------------------------------------------------------------...

It is that time of the year when I draw up my 40 best books of 2024 list and in this episode, I wanted to share my 10 most noteworthy ones out of these 40 from this list  across both fiction and non-fiction. I hope you enjoy the episode and find some inspiration for your reading lists next year. Do let me know what you enjoyed reading this year! If you'd like access to the transcript, you can...

Dear Listener, In today's voicenote, we learn more about Carl Jung, his influence on bibliotherapy and Jungian-inspired fiction with some noteworthy fiction book recommendations! And if you'd the like full transcript to this, subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack Enjoy! Warmly, Bijal Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy --------------...

Dear Listener, In today's voicenote, I discuss whether hypertext novels can be helpful in bilbiotherapy. (If you'd like to read the transcript instead you can do so here .) Enjoy! Warmly, Bijal Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, my name is Bijal Shah and I am a biblioth...

Dear Listener, It's tennis season and today we have a very special edition voice note focused on bibliotherapy and tennis. (If you'd like to read the transcript instead you can do so here .) Enjoy! Warmly, Bijal Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, my name is Bijal Shah a...

In this episode we explore books  on embracing change across both fiction and non-fiction. I hope you enjoy them and do let me know if there are any other books I should add to the list here. If you'd like access to the transcript, do subscribe to my substack:   Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack . Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io Support the show Don't forget to sub...

Dear Listener, In today's voicenote, we touch upon the world of graphic medicine. (If you'd like to read the transcript instead you can do so here .) Enjoy! Warmly, Bijal Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, my name is Bijal Shah and I am a bibliotherapist and founder of...

In this episode we explore books  on healing from and coping with heartbreak across both fiction and non-fiction. I hope you enjoy them and do let me know if there are any other books I should add to the list here. If you'd like access to the transcript, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack . Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io Support the show Don...

Dear Listener, In today's voicenote, we focus on why genre matters when building empathy or mentalising. Enjoy! Warmly, Bijal Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, my name is Bijal Shah and I am a bibliotherapist and founder of Book Therapy (a bibliotherapy and literary curatio...

In this episode we explore books for navigating family dynamics across both fiction and non-fiction. I hope you enjoy them and do let me know if there are any other books I should add to the list here. If you'd like access to the transcript, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack . Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io Support the show Don't forge...

Dear Listener, In today's voicenote, we discuss the role of fairytales in bibliotherapy and psychoanalysis. I hope you enjoy it! Warmly, Bijal Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, my name is Bijal Shah and I am a bibliotherapist and founder of Book Therapy (a bibliotherapy and...

In this episode we explore books for difficult times across both fiction and non-fiction. I hope you enjoy them and do let me know if there are any other books I should add to the list here. If you'd like access to the transcript, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack . Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io Support the show Don't forget to subscr...

Dear Listener, In today's voicenote, I wanted to focus on whether bibliotherapy is effective and the evidence to support it. I hope you find it helpful. Warmly, Bijal Bibliotherapist & Co-founder, Book Therapy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi, I'm Bijal Shah, a bibliotherapist and founder of Book Therapy (a bib...

Dear Listener, In the last voicenote we touched upon bibliotherapy, what it is, a brief history and how we define it at Book Therapy. In today’s voicenote, I wanted to talk about how we can use bibliotherapy in treating every day mental health issues, as well as touch upon who practices it, why it works, and the impact of solo reading vs group reading. I hope you enjoy it! Warmly, Bijal Bibliother...

In this episode we explore books for loneliness across both fiction and non-fiction. I hope you enjoy them and do let me know if there are any other books I should add to the list here. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack . Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io Support the show Don't forget to subscribe...

In this episode we explore books for anxiety across both fiction and non-fiction. I hope you enjoy them and do let me know if there are any other books I should add to the list here. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack . Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io Support the show Don't forget to subscribe whe...