Does a book a day keep the therapist away? Like journalling (which I’ve written about in a previous blog post!), I find reading to be cathartic and surprisingly great for my mental health.
My brain has a tendency to race with anxious thoughts, so reading lets me focus on something other than worrying or overthinking. An article from Psychology Today explores the ways reading benefits our mental health by creating connections and community. There’s even a name for the therapeutic use of reading to alleviate mental health challenges: bibliotherapy. It’s no wonder past therapists have encouraged me to stick to a bedtime routine of reading!
While I’m usually tempted to read something “productive,” like self-help, fiction ends up being the more enjoyable choice. Part of healing from mental illness is pushing out of our comfort zones, whether it’s by eating new foods, talking to strangers or exploring a different book genre. Reading gives me a taste of someone else’s perspective.
These are the books and magazines I’ll be devouring over the summer months. (And please pass on your recommendations too!)
Top picks for summer 2022 reads
1. Stand Tall, Little Girl: Facing Up to Anorexia by Hope Virgo
Hope is a UK-based, award-winning advocate for individuals with eating disorders. She’s someone I’ve been following on social media for quite a while. Aside from being an author and speaker, she’s the founder of the #DumpTheScales campaign, an initiative that aims to abolish BMI being used as a measure for eating disorder diagnosis.
I admire Hope for her outspokenness on eating disorders and am curious to learn more about her recovery journey in this memoir, especially since her anorexia began developing around the same age as mine. This book is next up on my reading list!
Read more: Hope Virgo, the Woman Who Survived Anorexia
2. Hungry to be Me: A Quest to be my Own Hero by Julie Gauthier
Julie is someone who radiates positive energy and a zest for life (just take a peak at her social media!). It wasn’t always this way. Just before the pandemic, Julie received hospital-based treatment for a decades-long battle with eating disorders.
She weaves in past journal entries through Hungry to be Me, touching on themes from childhood trauma and people-pleasing tendencies, to relationship struggles and coming out. I was struck by her resilience and persistence to get help, even after lockdowns derail some of her in-person residential treatment.
What I loved about this memoir is Julie’s candidness. She doesn’t shy away from how hard eating disorder recovery treatment can be: “I tried to hide my pain … Who has a meltdown at 45-years-old about not wanting to eat pasta and cheese?”
Read more: How I Overcame 33 Years of Suffering With an Eating Disorder
3. How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Nicola LePera
I kept seeing this book pop up on my Instagram feed so I was thrilled to find a copy at my local library. I’ve just starting reading it, but it’s already filled with sticky notes and I have a feeling I’ll need to renew this one.
Better known as the Holistic Psychologist on Instagram, Nicola is a psychologist who specializes in healing trauma through the connection between mind and body. I was drawn the the book’s science-backed mission to equip people with the information and tools to heal themselves.
One of of my favourite excerpts so far from How to Do the Work: “There is tremendous freedom in not believing every thought we have and understanding that we are the thinker of our thoughts, not the thoughts themselves … If we do not become consciously aware of the disconnection between our authentic Selves and our thoughts, we give our thoughts too much control in our daily lives.”
Read more: How to Get the Most Out of Future Self Journalling
4. Psychology Today magazine
I’ve had a love-hate relationship with magazines, particularly in the depths of my eating disorder. When I was diagnosed with anorexia at 15, I was an avid reader of teen magazines like Seventeen and Teen Vogue. These ‘zines were filled with diet messaging — “Eat This, Not That,” “How to Dress for your Body Type,” etc. My therapist at the time suggested I look into the research around teen magazines and eating disorders, since I didn’t believe they were negatively impacting my body image. Sure enough, she was right.
Even though teen and women’s magazines have evolved to be more mindful of diet culture, I find the ads (mostly high fashion brands) are filled with unrealistic, impossible beauty standards. That’s why I love magazines like Psychology Today which focus more on thought-provoking content and less on appearance-focused advice.
Read more: 10 Ways You’re Stronger Than You Think
5. The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
You didn’t really think all I read are books about eating disorders and mental health, did you? Reading for pure pleasure is one of life’s greatest joys. I like to get out of my head by diving into a good mystery or thriller.
Currently, I’m making my way through Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache series. She’s a Canadian author who writes about a sleepy yet murder-filled Québec town. I’m mid-way through the 8th book in the series, The Beautiful Mystery, which takes place at a remote monastery shrouded in secrets.
Her writing has been described as “the coziest stories of murder you’ll ever encounter.” Perhaps most satisfying of all are Louise’s rich descriptions of Québécois comfort food: crusty breads, hearty stews and freshly baked croissants. Trust me, you’ll be tempted to visit your nearest French bistro. Bon appétit and happy summer reading!
Read more: Louise Penny is Still Killin’ It
Ooo I’ll have to get my hands on the Psychology Today magazine! Thanks for this short and sweet collection of books! I never really read a book unless it’s recommended, so this was a much needed post! 🙂 I find that reading helps me to ease anxious thoughts as well. Just like journaling, it’s a chance to shift your thoughts to something productive and even healing!
So glad you found this post helpful, Skye! I can’t recommend that magazine enough. I’m a similar way and always am on the hunt for book recommendations too 🙂 Reading really is such a calming activity, right? I especially find that I read a lot more in the summer just for pleasure and enjoyment.
I love reading the Walrus magazine! Great assortment of fiction, poetry and non-fiction
Oooh yes, such a good magazine!
This is such a cozy post …you’re truly in summer mode !!
Enjoy <3<3
Haha thank you, glad you liked the post! You know how much I love my summer reading 😎