Bibliotherapist and author (with Susan Elderkin) of classic books about books The Novel Cure and The Story Cure, Ella Berthoud's most recent work is The Art of Mindful Reading, a practical guide that promises to help people to read more mindfully, bringing their lives to books and books into their lives equally. As you might expect we have a lot of book recommendations in this show, plus advice on everything from how to keep a successful book journal to what to do when you’re not enjoying your book club book – we've all been there. Listen in and learn how to make the very most of your precious reading time, and even find out how to carve out more of it.

Book recommendations

What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt, The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey, The Pisces by Melissa Broder, Elijah’s Mermaid by Essie Fox, The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar, Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towes and There But For The by Ali Smith

You can keep up with Ella via her website, ellaberthoud.com and don’t miss her themed sessions on Damian Barr’s Literary Salon facebook page and her Instagram and YouTube channels. And if you’re in need of a literary makeover or have something you want to work through in your life you can sign up for a bibliotherapy session at the School of Life website.

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