Healing with Books: From Elvis’s Self-Help Shelf to Oprah’s Book Club

Join us to learn all about the modern history of book therapy! In this fascinating presentation, historian Mary Mahoney will explore the practice of bibliotherapy—the use of books as medicine. From Elvis Presley’s personal obsession with self-help books to the rise of Oprah’s Book Club as a cultural phenomenon and the therapeutic value of poetry, books have long been a source of solace, transformation, and healing. Have you ever turned to a novel for comfort, escaped into a comic book, or found clarity in a newspaper or self-help guide? This talk will examine the fascinating history and enduring relevance of books as medicine, shedding light on how we read to heal. Attendees will also be invited to reflect on their own experiences as readers and the role books play in their lives.

This is a hybrid program; patrons have the option of attending in-person at the library or virtually on Zoom. Registration is required - please sign up below!