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.
Theme: Evolving Friendships
Please vote for the book of choice! Below are the book options:
Book Option 1:
My Friends by Frederik Backman
• beautiful and emotional story on friendship, love, loss, and found family
• resonant themes, easier read, contemporary novel
• making its rounds on booktok
• one of my favourite books I read this year
Book Option 2:
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
• friendship that spans 30 years
• about video games but so much more
• themes of identity, disability, failure
• importance of human connection
How it works:
Tuesday evenings @ 6pm
3 zoom sessions • 1-hour each
September 8 : Intro session
Expectations + reflection questions. No need to start the book before session one!
September 22 : Midway debrief
Check in on what matters, depth, and what you're learning.
October 6 : Closing reflections
What did you take away? What did you learn about yourself?
What’s included:
• receive a reading guide and reflective prompts once you sign up.
• 3 zoom sessions on Tuesday evenings
• $30-35 for all 3 sessions!
Community, literature, and your feelings, all in one place.
We'll 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, June 30. We will be reading slowly and deliberately so no 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