May 5, 2008
Why reading?
No Comments
Accessing literature has an important role in improving our wll-being. More than just a hobby, or “feel-good” experience, book can improve your psychological health. Recent research has shown that reading and writing literature can help treat depression. Hidden bonuses for us “Tome Gnomes”!
Self-help literature as an anti-depressant - “Readalex” anyone?
Reading self help literature can be an effective treatment for depression, as shown by researchers in Nevada.
Bibliotherapy as an adjunct to psychotherapy for depression in older adults. [J Clin Psychol. 2003]:
Bibliotherapy, reading a self-help book for the treatment of psychological problems, has been shown to be effective as a ’stand-alone’ treatment for depression.
Writing our self-history helps us accept the present
Furthermore, in older adults, the process of creating a book of one’s life-history, can help ward off depression and improve your self-image:
Libraries of life: using life history books with depressed care home residents. [Geriatr Nurs. 2006 Jul-Aug]:
This practice development project explored the use of reminiscence life history books as an interpersonal therapeutic tool with 3 depressed care-home residents living in residential care and skilled nursing facilities. The process of choosing to produce a book, assessment of capabilities, and methods of construction are described using 3 illustrative case studies. Three themes emerged: reviewing the past, accepting the present, and dreaming of an alternative future. This project demonstrated that life history books, tailored to individual needs and abilities, can facilitate reminiscence and reduce depression by increasing social interaction.
Maybe if we are realistic about our histories and our past, it protects us from distorting our experiences. Or maybe the process of writing them down is a form of self-therapy. I know some journal-writers who would agree with that.
March 26, 2008
Why reading?
No Comments
Environmental consciousness for the rest of us
After a long struggle, I finally finished reading The Weather Makers. I bought the book soon after Tim Flannery was announced Australian of the Year. I figured if our sceptical government could give in and accept the reality of climate change, then I have a responsibility to learn about it.
The Weather Makers was a well-researched and complete book. But have you ever been to an environmental rally or information talk where the presenter tried to make it seem like they were impartial, but clearly weren’t? The book is like that - good information, but you feel like the author is on a soapbox.
All that aside, it did inspire me. I was wondering how I could make an impact when our hot water system exploded. So now, a week’s wait and many dollars later, I have solar hot water. And a warm shower can’t be beat.
Anyway, here are four ways that reading books can help make an environmental impact. They may not be as big as getting rid of your Four Wheel Drive, but you’d be reading anyway, right?
1. Reuse
Wherever possible, avoid the temptation to buy a book new. There are loads of second hand books out there, that are easy enough to get your hand on. If you accidentally buy a new book, make sure others read it as well (I suggest bookcrossing or bookmooch)
2. Recycle
Obvious, huh? Books are made out of paper. If they are no longer readable, make sure they are made into something else.
3. Plant a tree for every book you read.
Books use about a tree’s worth of paper. Make sure your books are replaced. Eco-Libris is planting books in the third world to balance your books. You pay for the planting and receive a sticker to put in the books that you balance, so they are marked forever (or until they are recycled).
4. Find out about the environment and what you can do.
I have mentioned The Weather Makers. It explains the climate crisis in enough detail to make it understandable. However, there are about 3 million books in this genre, so choose an author that you respect who writes in language you understand, and read on. It could inspire you to change. Another book I have enjoyed is Tree (David Suzuki)
5. Unclutter your books by joining the new book economy
Books form clutter in our houses. Clutter increases the space we need, and therefore the space we need to maintain at comfortable temperature. IF you packed all of your books into one room, how much space would they take up? Trade, lend, sell and release your books so they stop clagging up your house. Keep only those that you can’t get elsewhere. Join a library, and only keep books in your house that you haven’t read. I confess, this is not my strong point, but book sharing has let me get rid of a lot of books. However, I keep finding new TBRs to replace them (but they are second-hand, of course).
How do you use reading to improve the planet?
March 25, 2008
Prizes, What to Read, Why reading?
No Comments
I have been reading this years’ Booker shortlist, with a bookcrossing bookgroup. One of the books that I have enjoyed is Indra Sinha’s Animal’s People . It is the story of a town tormented by a chemical spill and the consequences for the town’s poor. The opinions of my virtual bookgroup can be read here. I thought the book was very powerful and I think it has broadened my reading experience. I suspect I wouldn’t have read it if it hadn’t have been for the list. IT si one of those novels written in a unique voice - difficult to start but rewarding to finish.
The novel is based around a real town that was devastated by chemical disaster, Khaufpur. Amazing as it sounds, I had never heard of this disaster at the time, and this book enabled me to learn a little about it. I find that lots of friends and family are quite interested in discussing the events in Khaufpur, and although the book doesn’t make me an expert, it gives me fresh conversational ammunition.
This week it was announced that Indra Sinha is the winner of the 2008 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Europe and South Asia. I think this prize is an excellent way to get to reading novels from different regions. The regional winners act as a short list for the overall prize. So here are the winners for 2008:
Africa
Best Book: Karen King-Aribisala (Nigeria) The Hangman’s Game Peepal Tree Press
Best First Book: Sade Adeniran (Nigeria) Imagine This SW Books
Canada and Caribbean
Best Book: Lawrence Hill (Canada) The Book of Negroes HarperCollins Publishers
Best First Book: CS Richardson (Canada) The End of the Alphabet Doubleday Canada
Europe and South Asia
Best Book: Indra Sinha (India) Animal’s People Simon and Schuster
Best First Book: Tahmima Anam (Bangladesh) A Golden Age John Murray
South East Asia and South Pacific
Best Book: Steven Carroll (Australia) The Time We Have Taken HarperCollins
Best First Book: Karen Foxlee (Australia) The Anatomy of Wings University of Queensland Press