Can a Book Change Your Life? The Growing Movement of Bibliotherapy

A book prescription for an ailment might sound like a relic from the Victorian era of medicine, yet in recent years, a growing number of people have been seeking precisely that – curated literary remedies tailored to their needs. Though the practice dates back as far as the Middle Ages, it has found a renewed place in modern life, offering solace, perspective and even transformation through the written word.

Mastermind’s literary columnist Lucy Pearson has been prescribing books to clients since 2020, when an influx of requests for reading recommendations began flooding in. “The demand for good books skyrocketed, perhaps as a way to escape the chaos of real life for a while,” she reflects. But beyond mere escapism, Pearson’s prescriptions tap into something deeper – an innate human desire for connection, wisdom and shared experience, all found within the pages of the right book.

For those unfamiliar, what exactly does a bibliotherapist do? 

LP A bibliotherapist is someone that helps people find books that resonate with their current experiences, challenges or emotions. Whether someone is looking for comfort, clarity or inspiration, a bibliotherapist will suggest carefully chosen books that can offer new perspectives, a sense of connection, or even gentle guidance. It’s a bit like a literary prescription – matching the right book to the right person at the right time.

What was your own journey into bibliotherapy? Was there a particular book that set you on this path?

LP During lockdown, my Instagram DMs and book blog were flooded with people asking for reading recommendations. Some had more time to read than ever, while others – understandably – were stressed and overwhelmed and turning to books for comfort or escape. The demand for good books skyrocketed, perhaps as a way to avoid the chaos of real life for a while.

I originally launched bibliotherapy sessions as a bit of a tongue-in-cheek experiment, helping people find the right books for whatever they were going through. But it quickly took off, and before long, I was working with eReader brand Kobo as an ambassador and chatting about the wellness benefits of reading. 

So, while there wasn’t one particular book that set me on this path, books have always been my biggest passion in life, and my constant companion. Almost everything I do comes back to my love of reading. Getting to write about and recommend books for a living is something I feel extraordinarily privileged to do.

Is there a formal qualification to become a bibliotherapist?

LP Bibliotherapy is used by all sorts of professions: from social workers and librarians to therapists and educators. But unlike traditional forms of therapy, there’s no official qualification, governing body or standardized training to become a bibliotherapist. In other words, there’s no exam to sit or license to earn, just a deep love of books and an understanding of how the right one can make all the difference.

That said, I did complete an online training course in bibliotherapy to sharpen my skills and deepen my knowledge. But in many ways, my real training has come from a lifetime of reading, recommending books and seeing firsthand how the right story, at the right time, can be genuinely transformative.

In a world of constant digital distractions, how do you encourage people to rediscover the joy of reading?

LP This is probably the question I get asked the most, and I’m afraid the answer isn’t a particularly sexy one. Without wanting to be that person, it really can’t be said enough: we all need to spend way less time online. Our addiction to smartphones and social media is genuinely terrifying. The average person now spends the equivalent of a full day each week on their phone. Imagine if you swapped just an hour of doomscrolling each day for reading, that alone would add up to a book a week.

Stephen King once said, “The trick is to teach yourself to read in small sips as well as long swallows.” He’s right, don’t just wait for a big, uninterrupted swathe of time to pick up a book. Those little moments – five minutes in the queue for your morning latte, ten minutes before bed – really add up. The key is making reading a habit, not a luxury.

Do different genres serve different emotional needs? 

LP Yes, absolutely! Different genres can act like a literary mood board, offering exactly what you need depending on your emotional state. Feeling anxious? A cosy mystery or a comforting classic might help soothe your nerves. Heartbroken? A deeply emotional novel can be cathartic, or a sharp, witty book might be just the tonic you need.

Non-fiction, whether it’s self-help, philosophy or memoir, often provides guidance and perspective, while fantasy and sci-fi can offer an escape from reality altogether. Poetry is perfect for moments of reflection, and thrillers can be a great way to channel nervous energy into something gripping yet contained.

Much like music, books can set or shift your mood. The trick is knowing what you need in the moment – whether it’s solace, distraction, adventure or understanding – and choosing accordingly.

Do you believe that audiobooks provide the same therapeutic benefits as reading a physical book?

LP Yes! Audiobooks can absolutely provide the same therapeutic benefits as physical books, though in slightly different ways. While some people find that physically turning pages helps them focus and retain information better, audiobooks can be incredibly powerful, especially for those who struggle to carve out time to sit and read.

Listening to a well-narrated book can be a deeply immersive experience, engaging the brain in much the same way as reading with your eyes. They can also be soothing – there’s a reason bedtime stories work so well for children! Plus, audiobooks can make literature more accessible, whether you’re visually impaired, prone to eye strain or just someone who prefers to absorb stories while walking, commuting or doing household tasks. I loathe the holier-than-thou argument that audiobooks don’t count as reading, do whatever works for you.

Ultimately, the best format is the one that allows you to engage with books in a way that fits your life. Whether you read with your eyes or your ears, the benefits – stress reduction, emotional connection and cognitive stimulation – are the same.

Are there certain books that you find yourself recommending over and over again? 

LP Yes: Places I Stopped on the Way Home by Meg Fee. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. Anything at all by Natalia Ginzburg. The Hungover Games by Sophie Heawood. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue. Of Mice and Men by John Irving. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robyn Sharma. My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff. Sandwich by Catherine Newman. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher.

Have you ever had a reading experience that profoundly shifted your outlook on life?

LP Many times! But one that stands out is Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, because reading it completely changed the course of my life. I was newly graduated, and very hungover, perusing the shelves of the library when I came across it and fell in love with its Gothic cover. I tore through it that night, and after seeing it had a sticker on its front cover that said it was part of the BBC’s Top 100 Books, I set myself the challenge to read my way through the list in its entirety. 

I went on to start my book blog to record my thoughts on the books (this was before GoodReads challenges were common parlance) and later landed a job working for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. It feels a bit trite to say a book changed my life, but with Rebecca, it genuinely did.