World Book Day 2023
As I’m a huge book nerd and it was World Book Day on 2nd March, I thought I’d share some of my favourite reads here. I’ve set myself a reading challenge for 2023 to read an average of 2 books per week every week, so 104 books in total. At the time of writing, I’ve finished 13 books, so I’m a bit behind schedule, but I’m sure I’ll catch up with myself soon.
Rather than focusing specifically on therapy and mental health, in this post I’ll share some of my favourite reads from across a variety of different genres, and a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. They’re in no particular order, but I hope you’ll find something that interests you!
Fiction
A Kind of Spark - Elle McNicoll
This is a story about an 11 year old autistic girl called Addie and her campaign to get her hometown to make a memorial to the women killed for being ‘witches’. And it’s also a story about what it means to grow up in a world that isn’t designed for those who are neurodivergent, and that sees ‘being different’ as something to be feared rather than celebrated.
Although it’s technically a children’s book, I think it’s an important read for adults to gain an insight into an experience that is still underrepresented in literature and other media. It’s an incredibly powerful and moving story, and one that has stayed with me long after I finished reading it.
Treasury of Folklore, Woodlands and Forests: Wild Gods, World Trees & Werewolves - Dee Dee Chainey & Willow Winsham
Myths, legends and folklore exist in some form in every society and culture around the world, and I believe that all of these stories have glimmers of truth to them. Our connection with nature and the natural world is often a key thread within them, and this book offers an amazing insight into some of the similarities and differences in the power and significance of spirits, creatures and the woodlands and forests that cover the planet.
The featured stories are incredibly varied, and I found myself smiling at the page as I read some of the magical and mystical ideas that humans have developed around the natural world. If you want a read that feels like an escape, with lots of stories to get lost in, I’d highly recommend this book.
Mina & The Undead - Amy McCaw
Sometimes all I want is to get swept along with a fun story that’s engaging and easy to read, with enough twists and turns to keep me interested, without feeling overwhelmed by too many threads to keep track of. This debut novel from Amy McCaw delivers on all counts, and makes the most of the 90s nostalgia that its target audience are most likely to connect with.
The pace is steady but not slow, the characters have their quirks, there are lots of vampires and other supernatural beings, and the setting of Fang Fest in New Orleans gives it an added energy and vibrancy. If you’re a fan of the gothic genre, I think you’d really enjoy this book.
The Midnight Library - Matt Haig
I hadn’t read any of Matt Haig’s books before, but a lot of people recommended this to me, and eventually I got around to reading it. The protagonist is Nora, a woman unhappy in life and full of regrets who finds herself in the Midnight Library, a place between life and death where she’s given the chance to explore the varied paths her life could have taken if she’d made different choices.
It’s an interesting concept, and one that many of us think about from time-to-time when reflecting on how we’ve got to where we are and whether it’s the life we really want. If you’re looking for a read that will encourage you to look at yourself and your life, this may be a good choice for you.
Non-Fiction
The Devil You Know: Encounters In Forensic Psychiatry - Dr Gwen Adshead & Eileen Horne
This book features 12 stories from a forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist who has worked with offenders in high-security facilities, including Broadmoor. Having worked with offenders in the community before training as a therapist, I was particularly interested in how she approached therapy with a client group that many therapists would steer clear of, as well as her reflections and insights on her own development.
Fair warning: it’s not a “light” read (there are a lot of upsetting details of disturbing offences, including sexual abuse and murder), so it’s definitely not for everyone. If you still feel able to manage reading beyond this element, then it offers a lot of food-for-thought on the wider impact of trauma and crime, as well as whether it’s possible to rehabilitate even the most dangerous people.
The Importance of Being Interested - Robin Ince
Robin Ince takes us on a journey through a huge range of scientific ideas and developments, and celebrates the importance of being interested in the world around us, as well as each other and ourselves. The research that’s presented here is fascinating, and the enthusiasm that the scientists he’s interviewed have for their subjects comes off the pages in spades!
There’s a humour and lightheartedness to his style that makes even the densest of material feel easier to digest, without detracting from the depth and complexity of the ideas that are explored. As there’s such a breadth and variety to the topics covered, I found that it was easier to read a chapter at a time and give myself chance to absorb what I’d read before moving on to the next one, but the slower pace gave me the opportunity to reflect on everything, which was great.
Breath - James Nestor
Breathing is an automatic part of being alive, and very few people in Western cultures spend much time reflecting on its true power and significance. In this book, James Nestor takes us through an incredible range of research and developments in our understanding of breath and how to harness it.
From how and why our ancient ancestors had perfectly straight teeth without dentistry and orthodontics, to how some humans are able to tolerate freezing cold water without any additional layers or equipment, this book provides amazing insights into how important breathing is, not only for survival but to thrive as well.
Quiet - Susan Cain
In a world designed for extroverts, how can introverts be seen and heard amongst the noise, without becoming overwhelmed by it all? This is one of the questions that Susan Cain seeks to answer in this fascinating book. She highlights some of the key skills that introverts bring into the mix that are often underestimated and undervalued by people who are more extroverted, as well as offering some tips for introverts to be able to play to their strengths.
Since Covid, I’ve noticed that I’m a lot more introverted than I previously acknowledged, and this book really resonated for me. The realisation that I’m an introvert has enabled me to make some important shifts in my personal and professional lives so that I can protect my energy and utilise skills that I had previously downplayed and ignored.
If you’ve been wondering what to read next, I hope that this post has given you some inspiration and ideas! There are so many amazing books out there, and it’s important to support writers in their work whenever possible. Whether you prefer holding a physical book in your hands or listening to an audiobook as you do the washing up, stories are always worth celebrating.
As ever, if you’re struggling and think I might be the therapist for you, feel free to get in touch and let’s see if we can work together. You can contact me using the form below, via email to emma@emmapooleytherapy.com, or on Facebook and Instagram @emmapooleytherapy.