Brooklyn's Newest Made-up position: Book therapist
At first I will be naive enough to say that I thought this sounded cool and that only someone who doesn't read would write an editorial smearing this idea. However after reading it, I might have to agree with the editorial.
It was written on a woman who has started her own business as a "book therapist" meaning that they act like a therapist in assisting you find books that help you cope and deal with your real world problems. In those facts alone it sounds great. I have always thought that books should and will have a major impact on you, that they open your mind to new possibilities and even can reference back to your real life. Especially after just reading Invisible Monsters this last week I thought wow this totally pertains to my life right now... i'm stuck in this battle of looking for a job but do I go for the job I really want or do I go for what i'm already good at. I love how literature can make you sit there and really think and reflect. It's such a powerful realization!
However, here is what i find really wrong with this idea. One... I don't see how this woman specifically has any right to think that she has all the answers to be a therapist. She has no literature background or any background in therapy. I find it funny that she has an economics background as well as on her shelf on goodreads she has a book about "how to get rich quick". Get rich quick scheme? I think so. But you would have to have a much more extensive knowledge of books in order to provide that kind of treatment. I read a lot.... doesn't mean i'm qualified to give therapy with the use of books.
Two... I do believe... like I said before... that books can have a therapeutic role. However, I feel that is what friends and family and peers are for if you want to look for a great book. And just because one person loves a book, never means that another person will have the same reaction. A book speaks to people in different ways. It can't have the exact same affect on each individual because we all come with different backgrounds, interests, preferences, etc.
I like the idea of getting people more active and excited in reading, but I have a different idea of what book therapy would be. For me, book therapy is exchanging ideas (lets say on a blog about reading hint hint) on different novels or authors, creating excitement around the idea of reading a great book and what some possible benefits would be to doing this.
I hope you enjoyed the article. Stay tuned for my next book review!
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