Bibliotherapy - Article

People are often surprised when they find out how much I read. 
I read to escape, to leave my life and live through others.  To wield a sword and love a vampire.  I visit far off lands and experience things I would never have the means to in real life.  I read as therapy.

Recently, I came across an article by Lucy Horner on Bibliotherapy and how books have the power to heal the mind in ways most non-readers do not understand.  I've pulled a few of her tips that I have used in the past, but make sure to check out her full article from Huffington Post and stop by her website.

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A Fiction First Aid Kit: 7 Bibliotherapy Techniques to Help You Feel Better With Fiction
By: Lucy Horner

Here are a few ways to apply bibliotherapy to your own life and create your personal fiction first aid kit for challenging feelings and situations:

"Using books as therapy is accessible to us all, is free with a library card, and even has a name: bibliotherapy."

Commit to memory one or two lines from poetry.
Poems learned by heart can stay with you long after other things have gone, and, in the words of a wise university lecturer of mine, they will even keep you strong if you have to spend time in prison. 

Reread a novel that made you smile the first time round.
Rereading a favorite book "reignites" the positive feelings we felt on our first reading and results in a "renewed appreciation" of the experience, research suggests. 

Choose a feel-good book to help lift your mood.
If you've been feeling a bit low recently, or if you'd like a quick pick-me-up from fiction, spend some time with a book solely for the purpose of feeling good about yourself.

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What do you read (for pleasure or therapy), has it helped you over come difficult life situations? 
Share your favorite picks in the comments below and your reasoning for picking it.
Who knows, maybe your pick will help another person overcome something they are working through.