On the couch Rather than plumbing the depths of your subconscious, look, perhaps, to your bookshelves. Bibliotherapy offers a literary cure for what ails; after an in-depth conversation about a patient’s reading life, the bibliotherapist prescribes a reading list meant to address the patient’s “area of curiosity or concern.” Bibliotherapy is offered through Alain de Botton’s London-based School of Life, which sadly does not (yet) list Canada in mentions of its international activities. Luckily, consultations for individuals or couples are available remotely. Even if it doesn’t improve your life (or relationship), you’ll likely end up with an improved library. (via The Guardian, image via The National Media Museum)

“Book”stores I would guess that many of us who have entered a large book retailer lately have felt at least a tiny pang of the distress illustrated by this week’s New Yorker cover, drawn by Daniel Clowes. Says Clowes, “As a cartoonist, I’m into the artifact of a book. A book is its own little world within the covers—you don’t get to click ‘like’ at every panel you like. It’s an intimate experience between a reader and an author, and I think there’s still a number of readers who’ll really respond to that.” Meanwhile, though some of us fret about the disappearance of the book, James Parker’s piece on the audio book serves as a reminder that books have existed beyond their pages for quite some time, and that non-paper versions of books have their own charms.

Only 20 reading days left The Advent Book Blog likens itself to a drugstore advent calendar that, “instead of one piece of low-grade chocolate per day [provides] you with several excellent reading choices from book lovers like yourself.” The blog will be posting recommendations for the next 20 days.

The future of school libraries I doubt I’m the only one who counts her school librarian as one of the great heroes of her life. Others who cherished the weekly visits to their school libraries might be interested in this Tuesday’s Crisis or Opportunity? School Libraries in the 21st Century, presented by the Ontario Library Association and Book and Periodical Council. Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 5:30-7:30 (doors at 5:00), at Hart House, University of Toronto, 7 Hart House Circle.