In this episode of Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah, listeners are invited into a warm, fireside exploration of meaningful literary and bibliotherapeutic gifts for the festive season.

Grounded in the belief that stories can heal, soothe, and transform, this episode serves as a heartfelt guide for anyone seeking Christmas gifts that go beyond the material— literary gifts that hold space for growth, reflection, as well as those that honour reading for both pleasure and for bibliotherapeutic purposes.

Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.

If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.

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In this episode of Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah I reflect on the most powerful, inspiring, and thought-provoking books of 2025 — the ones you’ll want to carry with you into 2026. From breakout literary fiction and moving memoirs to transformative nonfiction and hidden indie gems.

I explore how these books can both entertain, and inspire personal growth for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking for comfort reads, bold new voices, or stories that challenge and heal, this episode is your reading prescription for the months to come.

Tune in for an insightful, heartfelt conversation about why these books really stood out this year — and discover your next favorite book for 2026. If you'd prefer to read this, you can do so here: https://bibliotherapywithbijal.substack.com/p/40-books-from-2025-you-need-to-read

Hope you enjoy the listen!

Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.

If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.

******************************************************************************************

Get 10% off with code PODCAST on the following:

Online Bibliotherapy Courses

Personalised Book Prescriptions

Bibliotherapy Sessions

You can also follow us on your preferred platform using the links below:

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In this week’s episode of Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah, we turn our attention to one of the most joyful yet underestimated genres in literature — the romantic comedy. So often dismissed as light or escapist, the rom-com is in fact one of the most powerful forms of emotional storytelling, offering laughter, tenderness, and deep psychological insight.

We’ll explore how romantic comedy functions as a form of bibliotherapy — a way of healing through reading and emotional reflection. From Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to modern favourites like The Flatshare and Bridget Jones’s Diary, these stories trace the journey from chaos to clarity, self-doubt to self-acceptance, and loneliness to connection.

I’ll also be unpacking the role of the romantic hero — from the proud, emotionally guarded Mr. Darcy to today’s more vulnerable and emotionally intelligent figures — and how their transformation mirrors our own healing journeys. Along the way, we’ll discuss how humour, hope, and the rhythm of love stories can help us recover from stress, heartbreak, or burnout, teaching us that joy is not frivolous but restorative.

Join me as we rediscover the romantic comedy and the role of humour as a therapeutic intervention in bibliotherapy.

Email us at bijal@booktherapy.io

Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and get new episodes as they are released. If you'd like access to the transcripts, do subscribe to my substack: Bibliotherapy with Bijal Shah - Transcripts on Substack.

If you'd like a bibliotherapist in your pocket then you might find my book, Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading a helpful companion.

******************************************************************************************

Get 10% off with code PODCAST on the following:

Online Bibliotherapy Courses

Personalised Book Prescriptions

Bibliotherapy Sessions

You can also follow us on your preferred platform using the links below:

Instagram

Facebook