What if your path to peace could be found within the pages of a riveting read?
That’s the idea behind bibliotherapy, which is “the intentional use of literature to support emotional healing, self-reflection, and skill-building,” as Emely Rumble explains it. As a psychotherapist and the founder of Literapy NYC, she makes reading a fundamental part of her practice, using books to help her clients parse through the complicated feelings that could be holding them back from reaching their full potential.
“I guide clients through texts that resonate with their lived experiences, allowing them to process emotions, develop insight, and reframe their narratives,” Rumble tells us. “Some of the stories of our lives we inherit, some are forced upon us, and others we outgrow as we evolve over time. Engaging with literature on an emotional level provides readers with an opportunity to turn inward and make meaning out of these stories, in order to revise a truer narrative about who we are and who we’re in the process of becoming.”
Of course, if you’re a bookworm, you’re probably already thinking regularly about the parallels between your own experiences and the things you read. After all, there’s a reason people love recommending books with the promise that they’ll change your life. But what does this work actually look like when you’re collaborating with a trained mental health professional?
“In practice, bibliotherapy can take many forms: a therapist recommending books tailored to a client’s needs, a structured reading group centered on therapeutic themes, or even expressive writing exercises inspired by literature,” Rumble says. “Bibliotherapy can help people navigate grief, relationships, identity, trauma, and self-discovery by offering stories and perspectives that validate, challenge, and expand their understanding of themselves, others they are in relationship to, and the world around them.”
The work has been so meaningful to Rumble that she’s written about it in her new book, Bibliotherapy in the Bronx, out on April 29. (You can preorder it right here.) It’s a blend of memoir, therapeutic case studies, and fascinating research that highlights how incorporating reading into a therapeutic modality can make a world of difference in one’s life. “It serves as both a how-to guide and an invitation to rethink how reading can foster emotional strength, connection to self and others, and personal growth,” Rumble says.
What sort of books work best for this method of personal development? Below, Rumble shares recommendations for five “go-to texts” that she uses with clients at her own practice. “Whether through humor, education, or emotional resonance, each of them has the power to support readers on their journey to becoming the best version of self,” she tells us.
Five Books With Therapeutic Potential
This Is Supposed to Be Fun: How to Find Joy in Hooking Up, Settling Down, and Everything in Between by Myisha Battle
“This book is an essential bibliotherapy tool for clients navigating the dating world. The author, a certified clinical sexologist, encourages readers to reflect on their dating habits, boundaries, and desires with clarity and intention. In a culture obsessed with sex and relationships, this book emphasizes making conscious choices, vetting partners, and prioritizing personal safety — especially important for clients who are from vulnerable populations or living single. The case scenarios provide practical guidance, helping readers recognize what serves them and what does not.”
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
“Sometimes humor is the best medicine. This workplace comedy follows Jolene, an admin worker who stumbles upon her colleagues’ private messages, leading to a hilariously chaotic yet deeply relatable journey. I recommend this novel to clients who feel overwhelmed by workplace stress and need a literary escape. It offers emotional catharsis and a reminder that work doesn’t define our entire identity. Engaging with this book allows readers to step outside of their own anxieties and find humor in the absurdity of office dynamics.”
Falling Back in Love With Being Human: Letters To Lost Souls by Kai Cheng Thom
“This poetic collection of letters speaks to both suffering and hope. Kai Cheng Thom, a Chinese transgender femme writer, offers gentle yet sincerely heartfelt reflections on overcoming adversity, identity, and trauma healing. I turn to this book with clients who are struggling with self-worth, loneliness, or navigating societal harm. Thom’s words balance political realities with personal tenderness, making space for readers to reflect on their pain while also imagining new possibilities for living joyfully, and with openness.”
Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child by Kelley Coleman
“For parents of disabled children, navigating support systems can be overwhelming. This book provides a wealth of knowledge on securing diagnoses, accessing therapies, understanding insurance, and prioritizing self-care. With insights from more than 40 experts, it’s a vital resource for clients who are caregivers, offering empowerment through information. I often use this book to help parents process their experiences and equip them with the tools they need to advocate for their children while caring for themselves.”
And Then There Was Us by Kern Carter
“Processing grief is never straightforward, especially when the relationship with the deceased was complicated. This novel follows Coi, who must confront the death of the mother who once abandoned her. I use this book in bibliotherapy with clients experiencing grief intertwined with resentment, since it doesn’t place forgiveness on an unrealistic pedestal. Instead, it validates the spectrum of emotions that come with losing someone who caused harm. Carter’s storytelling allows readers to explore the complexity of grief on their own terms.”
