Bibliotherapy Book Club
Do you miss English class? The smell of old books, the nostalgia of reading, the joy of discovering layers and nuance to a story? Like unlocking a new theme and being able to see parallels and connections? You know, that feeling of debating if the curtains were really blue? There's something special about reading: when our imagination can play and flow, when we discover what we need to take care of us and each other!
Bibliotherapy Book Club is designed by a licensed therapist, third culture kid, and fiction lover to help us get in touch with our feelings through literature analysis. By reading we open up new and diverse perspectives, create shared understanding and experiences, and expand our capacity for empathy.
Our goal is accessibility, we want you to be able to identify, explore, and process your feelings through the medium of reading. We know that getting to the root of your feelings can be hard, especially if you’re less comfortable in a traditional 1:1 counselling session. That’s why we’re offering Bibliotherapy Book Club, with themed readings with reflective prompts to get you in your feels, to help you think critically, and to offer your nervous system the opportunity to slow down. Reading is inherently anti-capitalist; are you ready to slow down and learn together?
Meet your facilitator:
Hi I'm Maryam, a registered clinical counsellor and avid reader. I started researching the power of bibliotherapy when I noticed how clients relate to different forms of media. We all see ourselves in a character, in a storyline, or an arc.
Bibliotherapy can take the pressure off of traditional therapy where instead of tedious self-reflection and introspection, we learn about ourselves and our underlying issues by relating to a story. Bibliotherapy adds the element of whimsy, empathy, all of a sudden isn’t a skillset you have to build, but something that you start to feel through the representation of media.
Our book of the month:
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
Theme: intergenerational healing
A powerful, visionary novel exploring survival, community, and change across generations.
Get your copy of the book here!
How it works:
Every 2 weeks • Tuesdays evenings 6pm
3 zoom sessions • 1-hour each
April 28 : Intro session
Expectations + reflection questions. No need to start the book before session one!
May 12 : Midway debrief
Check in on what matters, depth, and what you're learning.
May 26 : Closing reflections
What did you take away? What did you learn about yourself?
$30-35 for all 3 sessions!
What’s included:
• receive a reading guide and reflective prompts once you sign up.
• 3 zoom sessions on Tuesday evenings
Community, literature, and your feelings, all in one place. See you there!
Frequently Asked Questions:
• where is this? when will I get the link?
- zoom, you will get the link an hour before each session
• when do I need to read the book by?
- you need to have a copy of the book by our first session, April 28 we will be reading slowly and deliberately so need to finish the book by the first session
• what do I need to bring to the sessions
- a notebook, pencil
- any questions you may have
- excitement and curiosity
• what is the reading guide like?
- intended to help you read with a critical eye and specific focus on community and intergenerational healing
• why every 2 weeks?
- no urgency culture here
- slow, deliberate engagement with the text, we want you to feel like you can take your time
• what if I can't make it on one of the sessions?
-zoom sessions will be recorded for your convenience
• how deep will the sessions be?
-as deep as you choose (depending on how much you share in the group)
-we will explore the themes, characters, and story in depth but what you choose to share and your reflections and personal learning will be yours to share
• what if there aren't enough sign ups? (minimum: 4)
- we will keep all the information and poll for another time that may work better for folks