Ten Bookish Things to Explore: Bibliotherapy #CauseAChatter

Since my last post on ‘Bibliotherapy’ in this series under #CauseAChatter, much has changed. We are under lockdown and many have written about the mental health effects of staying indoors. They said the man is a social animal and today, they have changed it to social distancing. The pandemic may have turned the gloomy button on for people who loved socializing and going out. So, I wanted to write this post in a more fun way rather than recommending books to uplift the mood.

In the previous two posts, I talked about the benefits of reading and even recommended a few books to sway you away from feeling low.

This time, not exactly going by the bibliophile’s list of book recommendations, I wanted to write about the bookish things that can help you to feel better under the stressed situation.

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Reading books is therapy, especially when you want to break the monotony of a daily routine or want to escape from the sad realities of life. The Alice in Wonderland effect of falling down the rabbit hole is a real experience for the readers partnering in the adventures with the fictional characters. Now that walking and reading in the park or reading while commuting may not happen, even handing a physical copy of a newly launched book may be a distant reality, let’s juggle with the things in hand and create a book-related Bookish ‘Bibliotherapy’. Here goes the list of things that can keep you engaged and positive while reading.

1. Organising your Book Shelf

This is one thing that can keep any book lover engaged for hours and give a level of high satisfaction after the session of dusting and re-arranging the bookshelves. Another benefit of this activity is bumping into a book bought ages back and forgotten on the shelf. Last year, during one of these re-arranging sessions, I found The Autograph Man by Zadie Smith. I didn’t remember getting this book but around that time, everyone was recommending Zadie Smith to me and I was elated to have found her sitting right there.

2. Maintain a Journal with your Favourite Quotes

When you begin to read a book, you are easily drawn to the selected sections of the dialogues or lines. You would always want to turn back to them. It isn’t always possible to go back to the book from the shelves or Google the line (not that Google will be keen on getting your personal favourite quotes). The rescuer here will be a Journal.

A few of my favourie, go-to quotes are –

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“Woman is deprived of rights from lack of education, and the lack of education results from the absence of rights.” – Anna Karenina

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“..I am not going to tell you my whole goddamn autobiography or anything. I’ll just tell you about this madman stuff that happened to me around last Christmas…” – The Catcher in the Rye

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“You are public property – the received past. But you are also private; my view of you is my own, your relevance to me is personal…Egocentric Claudia is once again subordinating history to her own puny existence.” – Moon Tiger

3. Doodle your way

Doodling is a great way of de-stressing oneself. The creative flow of thoughts on paper can work wonders. In Bibliotherapy, experts have often stressed on combining reading with writing or some creative activity to double up the benefits of reading. Doodling is informal and playful in nature so you can easily vent out the stress. Instead of portraying your anger, which you may be scared to admit or unknowingly have pent up inside you, can come through doodling something related to the book you are reading.

4. Create an Alternate Dialogue

What if Jane had a different reply to Mr.Rochester when he told her about Bessie? Yes, an alternate dialogue would have changed the course of this book, some less pain for Jane but would it have elevated her to the position that she is today. An alternate dialogue develops your mind to think for alternatives, it works on the coping mechanisms inside you.

5. A Poetry for your Beloved Fictional Character

Reading translates to feelings inside us. You do not have to be Dante in rendition, in your little journal, try writing a verse. A poetic version of the book in your hand can make you feel happy. If it doesn’t sound great, leave and skip to the next moment of inspiration in the book. Remember, you are not writing this to publish, you are writing for the love of reading and knowing yourself a bit further.  

6. Turn to the Good Movie Adaptations of your Favourite Books

There is nothing worse than turning to a badly executed movie adaptation of your favourite book. And, nothing is better than a good movie adaptation. I am inclined towards Classics made by BBC. I can always turn to Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. You can pick yours and watch them to feel happy.

7. Borrow a book from your child’s library

As parents of young children, we try to include a co-reading time with them. Then they grow up and reading becomes a more personal affair for them. Well, in both cases, you come to benefit from their collection of books. Borrow a book from your child’s library and see the magic sprinkle into your life. Children’s books are inherently therapeutic, with fairylands, chivalry, adventures and an ultimate ending where good wins over the bad.

8. Spice up your little Book Corner in your house

The love that you give your book is sure to return. People have a fetish to decorate corners with plants and lights and other little knick-knacks. You can jazz up a part of the corner at home with books in a way that reciprocates your personality. This little bookish nook will surely radiate positivity for you.

9. Joining the Online Book Clubs

The days of book club meets are far-fetched at present. Ofcourse, there are the virtual book clubs, especially the ones on Goodreads. This may be the perfect time to join one of these clubs. A sense of belonging and being part of a group while reading a book can usher great spirits.

10. Blog about your favourite books

For any bibliophile, there is a part inside that wriggles to discuss the characters and the plot with someone with the same interest level. Blogging is an interesting platform to do so. Your own blog will give you the independence to read and post on books of your liking, instead of being restricted by the Book Club picks.

I hope this post will be beneficial to you. Trusting a happier tomorrow for us!

This post is a part of Blogchatter’s ‘Blogging with a Purpose’ #CauseAChatter.