Books as Medicine: Deep Reading, Bibliotherapy and the Future of Reading
In an age dominated by rapid content consumption, where attention is measured in seconds and books often yield to digital summaries, a quiet revolution is taking place. It stems from the heart of bibliotherapy – the deliberate use of books to heal, to transform, and to empower. Dr Wanda Matras-Mastalerz, a Polish literary scholar and bibliotherapist, has been a long-time consultant to the British Library’s “Reading Well Books on Prescription” programme. She has observed that “stories contained in books are mirrors in which we can see ourselves” (Czwarty Wymiar, 2025). Her work highlights how reading, especially when deep and reflective, becomes a tool for self-care and insight.
The Healing Power of the Page
Bibliotherapy is more than the therapeutic reading of sacred texts. It refers to structured reading aimed at changing behaviour and supporting emotional healing through the written word. Although Poland does not yet formally recognise bibliotherapy as a professional discipline, twelve countries – including the United Kingdom – have institutionalised the practice through initiatives like “Reading Well Books on Prescription”. This programme, launched in England in 2013 by The Reading Agency and Libraries Connected with support from Arts Council England, provides curated reading lists endorsed by health professionals. It supports individuals in managing health and well-being through recommended self-help books, which are freely available in public libraries. Books may be suggested by health professionals or borrowed directly by library users (Reading Agency, n.d.).