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"Discover the life-changing magic of books. Books, stories, literature connect us to others. They help us connect the dots in our own stories and ultimately hold mirrors up so that we can truly see ourselves and be understood." Bijal Shah, Book Therapy Get Started   As Seen In   Hi! I'm Bijal, a book curator and bibliotherapist. I'm also a freelance journalist, a writer, a poet, a counsellor, a publisher and a voracious reader.  I've spent half my life in libraries and bookstores. My book recommendations have featured in the Guardian, Marie Claire, NBC News, Asian Voice and various other publications. My personalised reading service is unique and intended to save...

.   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: Post-completion of a part-time diploma in psychodynamic counselling where I underwent therapy myself. I was working in Investment Banking at the time since graduating with a Bachelors in Science in Mathematics. During my own therapy sessions, I noticed, that every time I explored an issue, I'd reach out to a book to understand the context better. My therapist...

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...