Blog

As a bibliotherapist, I often come across readers and clients who say to me that reading is a luxury, or that reading is simply one choice among the many leisurely activities available to us. We live in a time that constantly pulls us away from reading: speed, distraction, overstimulation. So I would like to begin with a very direct question: is reading still a choice… or is it becoming a necessity? That’s a really interesting question, and it cuts deeper than it looks. The honest answer is: it's always been both, and the tension between them is getting sharper, and...

In this blog I reflect on the most powerful, inspiring, and thought-provoking books of 2025 — the ones you’ll want to carry with you into 2026. From breakout literary fiction and moving memoirs to transformative nonfiction and hidden indie gems.

I explore how these books can both entertain, and inspire personal growth for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking for comfort reads, bold new voices, or stories that challenge and heal, this episode is your reading prescription for the months to come.

Get ready for an insightful, heartfelt read about why these books really stood out this year — and discover your next favorite book for 2026.

Excited to share Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah is back with Season 4! In Season 4, I’ll be sharing my 40 best books of 2025 to read in 2026 across both fiction and non-fiction — and yes there are some surprise reads in there! We’ll also dive deep into the role of the romantic comedy in healing — and what it means to be a romantic hero: someone who, despite a hundred heartbreaks, can still say, “I still believe in love.” After all, most of us have been heartbroken — if not by a person, then by a loss of any...

What Do Fairy Tales Really Tell Us?  Freud, the Unconscious, and the Hidden Language of Story For most of us, fairy tales bring to mind enchanted forests, wicked stepmothers, magical creatures, and faraway castles. These are the stories we first heard as children, nestled in bed or sitting in a circle at school—simple, fantastical tales meant to entertain, teach lessons, or lull us to sleep. But what if these stories were doing much more than that? What if, beneath their charming surfaces, fairy tales were speaking the language of the unconscious—giving shape to our deepest fears, desires, and internal conflicts?...

Dear friends, I hope this note finds you well. It’s been an exciting month in the world of bibliotherapy, and I’m delighted to share some wonderful news and upcoming opportunities with you. Book News On 4th September, the paperback edition of Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading was released. Thank you so much for your continued support of my work — it is truly appreciated. I’m also thrilled to announce that the Chinese edition of the book is now published, making bibliotherapy accessible to even more readers around the globe. International Conference in BrazilEarlier this month, I had the privilege of speaking at the first-ever International Conference on Bibliotherapy...