A good book can seem to cure all…
Whether you’re cuddled up on the couch at home or lying out on some tropical sands, getting lost in a good book can transport you to another world, free of the everyday worries and stressful thoughts your life might be the host of.
And it’s not just book-lovers who are aware of the fact, now doctors across the UK are recommending certain books to patients in the hope that it will help those with mental illness.
The most-prescribed book is Cider With Rosie, a tale of the Gloucestershire childhood of author Laurie Lee. It is on the new list of “mood-boosting” books which experts hope will help those with depression, anxiety and stress.
The list of books will be advertised this summer as part of the “Books on Prescription” scheme.
The official reading list has now been drawn up but now readers are being invited to submit their own “mood-boosting book” suggestions.
Debbie Hicks, director of research at the Reading Agency, said: “Readers chose books which they thought had qualities that promote well-being.
“We have funny and humorous titles and you also get books that have quite breath-taking experiences in them.
“Reading is a really good stress-buster. It can help you escape to another world and get out of your everyday life.
“There’s lots of evidence that reading can really help you relax and escape and this is a good strategy for dealing with stress and anxiety.”
Have you read any of these mood-boosting books?
The Beach Café Lucy Diamond
The Big Over Easy Jasper Fforde
Big Stone Gap Adriana Trigiani
Cider With Rosie Laurie Lee
Haroun And The Sea Of Stories Salman Rushdie
A Little History Of The World EH Gombrich
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand Helen Simonson
Notes From A Small Island Bill Bryson
The Pursuit Of Love Nancy Mitford
The Secret Garden Frances Hodgson Burnett
Smoke And Mirrors Neil Gaiman
A Spot Of Bother Mark Haddon
Tackling Life Charlie Oatway
Tales Of The City Armistead Maupin
That Awkward Age Roger McGough
To The Moon And Back Jill Mansell
Trouble On The Heath Terry Jones
Waterlog Roger Deakin
A Winter Book Tove Jansson
