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Overview
Bibliotherapy uses books to address mental health. This list is of books mentioned in Emely Rumble's 2025 release Bibliotherapy in the Bronx. This collection is broad and deep, covering many genres and demographics. In cases where authors are mentioned without a specific book, a book has been selected. No time limit because this list is enormous.
Poems are referenced in collections they can be found in. Non-fiction books are specifically labeled as such. I tried to identify the kinds of issues brought up in each book per the original text. They also are useful as content warnings if something hits too close to home.
Poems are referenced in collections they can be found in. Non-fiction books are specifically labeled as such. I tried to identify the kinds of issues brought up in each book per the original text. They also are useful as content warnings if something hits too close to home.
Bibliotherapy in the Bronx Reading List
37 participants (69 books)
Overview
Bibliotherapy uses books to address mental health. This list is of books mentioned in Emely Rumble's 2025 release Bibliotherapy in the Bronx. This collection is broad and deep, covering many genres and demographics. In cases where authors are mentioned without a specific book, a book has been selected. No time limit because this list is enormous.
Poems are referenced in collections they can be found in. Non-fiction books are specifically labeled as such. I tried to identify the kinds of issues brought up in each book per the original text. They also are useful as content warnings if something hits too close to home.
Poems are referenced in collections they can be found in. Non-fiction books are specifically labeled as such. I tried to identify the kinds of issues brought up in each book per the original text. They also are useful as content warnings if something hits too close to home.
Challenge Books
37
(bonus)
Poetry Therapy: Theory and Practice
Nicholas Mazza
A textbook for practitioners rather than casual readers, so it is a bonus book.
38
Spoken Word: A Cultural History
Joshua Bennett
Rumble lists several hip-hop and spoken words artists who can't be added to a reading list. This book is a non-fiction account of the art form. See Rumble pp107-111 for more opportunities for exploration of this genre.
39
My Soul's High Song: The Collected Writings
Countee Cullen, Gerald Early
Not explicitly mentioned in the source book, but this poet is mentioned. His poems were used by Sadie Delaney in her treatment of clients with mental illness.
40
The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni: 1968-1998
Nikki Giovanni
This poet and essayist is referenced by way of spoken word recordings, but this is her poetry anthology.
41
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf
Ntozake Shange
See also the poem, "Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff" and/or the 2010 film adaptation of this play about women navigating depression and actually talking about it.
42
The Trumpet of the Swan
E.B. White
Not explicitly mentioned in the source book, but this author is mentioned. (Try one that isn't Charlotte's Web. Or read Charlotte's Web if you haven't yet.) See also White's 1971 memoir, Letters of Note.
43
True Biz
Sara Nović
Story provides access to grief when facing a disability diagnosis in a child.
44
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Zora Neale Hurston
A serious novel about how Black communities use humor to navigate adversity.
45
Juliet Takes a Breath
Gabby Rivera
A humorous exploration of intersectional identity, coming out as a lesbian, and the search for belonging.
46
Luster
Raven Leilani
"Edie really needed some homegirls to tell her she was trippin!!" Exploration of the shadow self through a self-destructive main character.
47
Queenie
Candice Carty-Williams
Another exploration of the shadow self. How might we be neglecting our own well-being by chasing fleeting connections?
48
The Library: A Fragile History
Arthur der Weduwen, Andrew Pettegree
Non-fiction history of libraries. "Libraries and books encourage reflective thought. We cannot delegate the whole burden of returning balance to our lives to classes and therapeutic groups. A book creates a mindfulness class of one."