November 2024

Can Reading Fiction Help You Overcome Life’s Problems? Novels influence our feelings more than you think When I was young, I found an old book of Fairytales left behind in a motel room where our family vacationed. Another girl’s name was scribbled on the inside cover. The pages in the large, illustrated book were worn and smudged. Some pages were ripped and had scotch tape holding the stories together. My mother told me I could keep it if the girl didn’t come back for it. I wished she wouldn’t come back. She didn’t. It was my favorite book even though I couldn’t read it yet. Every night I asked my mom for a new fairytale, picking it out from the pictures. 1958 THE FAIRY TALE BOOK Adrienne Segur Marie Ponsot Deluxe Golden Book, Thumbelina illustration I loved the pictures as much as the stories. Some were scary, especially the ones with wolves – but others intrigued me. The little girls in the stories often looked sad and lost, especially Thumbelina. I worried about her. She was so small, the birds and other animals so large. Through Adrienne Segur illustrations I entered a new world.. I became Thumbelina or The Frog Princess .The stories sometimes were secondary to my imagination. Safe in my bed I explored my feelings as I heard about Thumbelina. Would she find kindness even though she is small? Can she make friends? I too felt little in my world, uncertain if I would find friends. I still have that book, scotch tape now yellow and brittle on some pages. Whenever I look at it, I’m transported back in time and feel childlike emotions resurfacing – including the same uncertainty of finding new friends. Perhaps you had a book when you were growing up that you still remember today. Try this – Choose a book you loved when you were young: Ask yourself how that book made you feel? List three or more emotions. What was it about that book that made it so special? ● Was it the pictures that drew you in and held your attention?● Did it take you someplace new?● Perhaps you solved a problem by identifying with a character like Thumbelina.● Did it help you understand your feelings about the world around you?● Perhaps a scary wolf was defeated which made you safe. Children’s books are a great example of what can be used to help young people explore their feelings. But it’s not just children who can benefit – it’s also adults. Today the use of books to cope with emotions and overcome problems is known as Book Therapy or Bibliotherapy In the summer of 1966 during grade school years I read several novels that left lasting impressions on me: Like Jo in Little Women, I decided to be a writer and an independent woman. Scout, in To Kill a Mockingbird, gave me courage and a sense of right from wrong. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn helped me understand my family and the lack of money we sometimes had. Looking back as an adult I can see these books played a crucial part in molding me into who I am today. The concept of reading fiction to solve some of our life’s challenges has been around for a long time. But recently it has grown in popularity. Books can be a way to supplement other forms of therapy or used for self-directed exploration into your thoughts and feelings. A brief history of Bibliotherapy The Ancient Greeks considered books a window into our lives. Aristotle’s literature was believed at the time to be a source of healing. In Ancient Egypt, King Ramses II built a library called “House of Healing for the Soul”. At the start of the nineteenth century, physicians began using books in earnest to treat patients, hoping to reduce their suffering. Novels were also used during the first two World Wars as a means of helping soldiers deal with stress and PTSD. Image from Books For Victory website There’s scientific proof “Stanford University researchers have found that close literary reading in particular gives your brain a workout in multiple complex cognitive functions, while pleasure reading increases blood flow to different areas of the brain…..Whether reading or experiencing it, the same neurological regions are stimulated.” Is a character in your book peeling an apple? The olfactory region for smell in your brain is activated. Is your character trying to solve a problem? Your frontal cortex is activated moving the anxiety in your amygdala to problem solving. In his book, Wonderworks, Angus Fletcher, a neuroscientist with degrees also in literature, describes how the brain functions when reading: “… literature’s inventions can plug into different regions of our brain – the emotion of our amygdala, the imagination hubs of our default mode network, the spiritual nodes of our parietal lobe, the heart softeners of our empathy system…pathways of our visual cortex – to alleviate depression, reduce anxiety, sharpen intelligence,  increase mental energy, kindle creativity, inspire confidence and enrich our days with myriad other psychological benefits. Research has shown bibliotherapy could have a positive impact on: depression symptoms stress and anxietyTrusted Source pandemic-related emotional stress morality development grief management Feeling overwhelmed, lonely, or anxious in life? Perhaps your relationships are falling apart, you’re struggling with your own self-worth, or grieving the death of a loved one. The good news is that Book Therapy can be done any time and in your own home. Reading a novel is available to everyone and can be a cost-effective way to explore your own emotions. For example you can go to the library, borrow a book from a neighbor, or find a little lending library in your community. There’s also an online ebook resource with free books at Project Gutenberg. The simple act of reading stories opens doors that help you explore dilemmas that may be similar in your own lives, especially if we form an emotional connection with characters and situations, enabling us to see others

Family Trauma – Can Reading Literature Help You? Slaying Dragons through Bibliotherapy Imagine you are a child hidden away. It’s a small space, barely enough room for you. Muffled voices argue outside your small, closed door. You hear your name, but don’t understand what you did. In the darkness, loneliness is all you know even though you remember arms that cradled you once. You can’t seem to do anything right until one day you are set free. You start to discover a new world and begin searching for your own identity. You’re reading Harry Potter. After ten miserable years of neglect and cruelty you are the hero of your own story. Harry Potter’s ability to not only survive but thrive is an example of a connection to a character that safely demonstrates a way to identify with your own struggles. Harry’s adventures offer a parallel journey that can help you feel less alone in your struggles. In addition, the sense of wonder and adventure can provide a mental break, reducing stress and anxiety. “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”                        – Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – pull out quote How prevalent is childhood Trauma? As children of abuse sometimes we hide from our dragons. Unable to face its immense power over us, we find other ways to cope. According to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, approximately 60% of adults surveyed reported experiencing at least one type of ACE. The ACEs include various forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Specifically: link2 different sources? – About **25%** of adults reported experiencing physical abuse.– **20%** experienced sexual abuse.– **15%** experienced emotional abuse.– **16%** lived with someone who was mentally ill or suicidal.– **10%** had a parent who was incarcerated.– **28%** lived with someone who had a substance abuse problem.– **12%** experienced domestic violence. These figures indicate that childhood trauma affects a large portion of the population, and that there are diverse experiences of abuse. The impact of such trauma can be profound, influencing various aspects of mental and physical health throughout one’s life. In my own life I experienced domestic abuse which also had elements of mental health issues. During my childhood I witnessed physical violence between several female relatives. In my teens I watched as my stepfather hit my mother and grandmother. I was also on the receiving end when my stepfather punched me in the face (for slurping my soup!). The result was that I hid both physically and emotionally. What I didn’t know at the time, however, was that the books I read in the following years helped shape me. In Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott I learned how a family different than mine could function and support each other. The character Jo demonstrated I could be independent and follow my dreams – that I had worth. As a result I believed I could become a writer. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery helped me explore my feelings of loss and fear. The death of Anne’s parents left her at the mercy of others. Anne’s attachment to make-believe provides a refuge from her real emotions. Something I often did (in future this will  link to my post about the fairy tale book) growing up when I sought refuge in a tree house I built. Healing Through Fiction: How Stories Can Help Us Overcome Trauma Trauma theory in literature examines how traumatic occurrences are processed by and through literary texts. It seeks to understand how trauma is demonstrated, processed, exposed, and repressed. Trauma can be disorienting and an isolating experience. Whether it’s from a personal loss, abuse, or any other life-altering event, it can leave us feeling fragmented and overwhelmed. In the quest for healing, many people turn to various methods like therapy, support groups, and self-care practices. But there’s another powerful, often overlooked tool:  self-directed reading and in particular fiction. Fiction provides a safe space where we can explore our deepest fears, hopes, struggles and dreams. It offers an escape from reality while simultaneously allowing us to confront our emotions in a manageable way. Stories can be a mirror reflecting our own experiences, a roadmap for personal growth and overcoming challenges. An example of a narrative that can inspire us to find our own strength and resilience is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Katniss Everdeen faces overwhelming odds in the novel. The theme of poverty is often used in fiction that demonstrates the powerlessness we have as children. Katniss has little support from her mother and is forced to grow up early to survive. Eventually she uses her intelligence and bravery to navigate a dystopian world. Her story of perseverance and empowerment can motivate readers to confront their own challenges with renewed strength and courage. Novels offer various perspectives on childhood trauma, each providing a unique narrative that can offer understanding, empathy, and reflection. They address how trauma shapes us and our relationships, making them compelling reads for those interested in exploring the complexities of childhood experiences and their long-term effects. Perhaps we really can slay dragons – one book at a time. What novel will you read first?  If you want help connecting the dots in your own reading, download my free journal. (create link to journal free download on ConvertKit) Abuse is a serious issue that may need professional intervention. If you are experiencing patterns of abuse, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

Do You Consider Yourself a Radical Reader? Let me explain what I mean by radical reader. Photo by Mike L on Unsplash My brother-in-law was one. He always had a book open no matter where he was or what he was doing. I saw him reading in the most peculiar places and positions. With his round head bent down I usually only saw the top of his head that displayed a tuft of unruly red hair. Waiting in church for services to begin? Book open. Seated at the dinner table during family gatherings? Book open. He had books everywhere. You may consider him the extreme, but what if I told you reading could be critical to your life? That’s what Susan Elderkin, co-author of The Novel Cure believes in her TedX talk, Reading as A Radical Act. In her talk she describes how she’s struggled to find time in her busy life to read even though her profession is as a bibliotherapist. She says as we get older, time is taken away by work, family and a myriad of other activities. Somehow, the idea of reading, devoting time away to yourself, seems selfish. But is it? Elderkin demonstrates that reading is an act of devotion to ourselves. It’s how we connect not only to our lives, but to others. That reading changes the rhythm of our minds. Her example is the novel, Milkman, by Anna Burns. In this book the main character lives in a world of violence and unrest. It’s Ireland in the mid-seventies, during the religious conflicts, but the character has found a way to escape through books. She does this by reading as she walks. Everything around her is painful. Novels offer her a different perspective regarding control of all other aspects of her world – political, gendered, sectarian and communal. Elderkin says every time you start a novel, it’s a risk – “will I like it, will I finish.” But the act of carving out time is not only radical, but necessary. Because of that you become the co-author of your life. Once you hear someone’s story, they become human beings. Her recommendations? Find every opportunity you can to read. Find different times to read. Sometimes we tell ourselves that we’ll read when we find the time, so plan your schedule to include reading. Which time works the best for you? Bedtime? Unless you’re reading a thriller, it can relax you and help you fall asleep. Read while others are sleeping – get a headlamp if you’re worried about disturbing others.  Read while you eat. Find a book stand to hold your novel.  Read first thing in the morning. I prefer this because it helps me focus on the bigger picture of my life and day. It sets my thoughts in motion.  Create a reading nook and defend it. Others will see you are in your nook and that means you’re not to be disturbed.. Read my article on how to create a reading nook Turn off your phone You could be like the character in Milkman and read while you walk, but for most of us that may be difficult. Find a good site for audio books. Give yourself 45-minute increments during each of these time slots. Occasionally, you’ll find yourself reading longer and that’s OK. The best advice? Always carry a book with you. This suggestion is not only from Elderkin, but also from Stephen King in his book On Writing. That way, whenever you’re waiting in line or at a place that looks inviting to sit and read you’ll be ready. Whether you want to be a Radical reader or just understand which novel can help in your everyday life, I can recommend a book for you. For a deeper dive please download my free reading journal.