Blog

.   Born a Jain, I've always hoped for a children's book on the beautiful philosophy that's over 2000 years old.  Jain, a word derived from the Sanskrit word 'Jina' describes the path of enlightenment and salvation over successive re-births by removing karma and embracing an ethical and spiritual existence.  It also prescribes non-violence to living creatures, including plants. It's peaceful nature and compassionate and thoughtful way of life are wholesome life lessons for any child. A month ago, on the auspicious Jain occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, authors Nirav Gudka and Sunita Shah of The Jai Jais published "Mahavir", the story of the 24th Jain Tirthankar Lord Mahavir,  an...

    I often get asked the story behind Book Therapy. In Q&A format, I've answered the 5 questions I get asked the most below which I hope narrate the Book Therapy story in the most accurate way. Q: How did you get into bibliotherapy? A: My journey into bibliotherapy began after completing a part-time diploma in psychodynamic counselling, during which I was also in therapy myself. At the time, I was working in investment banking, having graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at the University of Warwick in the UK. During my therapy sessions, I noticed a recurring pattern: whenever...

An undoing button. This is exactly the premise of Heather Child's latest book, The Undoing of Arlo Knott. The protagonist, Arlo Knott has a unique ability to turn back time - seconds, minutes and even days. This enables him to go back in time and continuously change the past until he gets the outcome he wants whether that's changing careers or relationship dynamics. However, there are always consequences. As he strives to unravel the consequences, so begins his 'undoing'. A brilliant page-turner and striking concept, the book will leave you hooked as it thoughtfully explores the very human themes of guilt,...

Anything that threatens our existence, be it mild or rare always captures our imaginations and the coronavirus is no different. Whilst the majority can survive it, there’s always the threat of unknown unknowns that haunt us. Plus if you’re a parent, an elderly person or someone with a compromised immune system, you’re going to be that much more anxious.  As a bibliotherapist, who reaches out for fiction, for comfort, healing, rescue, I could not help but draw on 2 books that have fascinated me (and that made my list of Literature’s 13 Most Unusual Books) — both are about plague and disease...

Mamta Saha Today, I want to introduce leading psychologist and executive coach, Mamta Saha and her iconic affirmation cards to empower, heal and restore anyone who reads them.  Mamta Saha’s Daily Affirmations for Inner Peace Life is cornered with trials and tribulations and often we need that serendipitous reminder, that authoritative voice and the empowering language to get through a tricky moment or hairy conversation without feeling overwhelmed or anxious. This is what Mamta sets out to conquer with her potent written affirmations, each thoughtfully curated. Mamta, a media psychologist and a regular contributor on BBC and Sky News, for her...