Art Therapy for Racial Trauma, Microaggressions and Inequality by Chioma Anah

Rating:

4 Stars

Themes:

Non-Fiction, Therapy, Psychology

Thoughts:

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great practical book, there are some great tips for me to take into future therapy and counselling works and I like how it acknowledges in the introduction that this may be a difficult read. The introduction starting with George Floyd’s last words is haunting and reminds us why it's important to process racial traumas such as that triggered by his death for many, especially in light of the racial disparities through the COVID-19 pandemic. Having reflections and discussion questions throughout (rather than at the end) were useful to allow me more accurate reflections and the tree of life was more detailed than the one that I had previously been taught and used. However, The long results chapter is slightly academic paperish so may lose the attention of some but I appreciated the glossary and references at the end.

Comments

Vincent: A Graphic Biography by Simon Elliott

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Comic, Non-Fiction, Biography Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great little book on Vincent van Gogh. It is very detailed containing pieces of his life such as changing careers and failed love interests that are often not considered when we think of van Gogh, instead favouring his art and mental health. The illustrations were really well done and at times helped to bring levity to the story which isn’t often the happiest of lives.

The War of Sober by Edward Rand

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Addiction, Psychology Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book not just for addicts trying to establish and maintain their sobriety but also psychologists, counsellors and the people working with them. It approaches the experience of addiction from the perspective of going to war and may help those who can’t get along with the 12 steps, contingency management or other forms of therapy traditionally used. It’s also helpful to have Edward detail his own experiences and approaches throughout so it feels less clinical and shows he does know what he’s talking about when he mentions the difficulties so it comes across less patronising than some self-help addiction books. Favourite Quote: "It doesn't matter what happened yesterday. Win or lose, if we are still alive, we must decide to be different today and then make the correct choices today, because friends, ...

Broken Glass by Sarah Kay

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This collection is mixed for me, some of the poems were really good and all were definitely emotive but I think so many poems on the Hamas attack and subsequent war which is highly politically charged a little difficult to tackle. Favourite Quote: "What good is it to open my heart when in the end, you will stab it in the back?"

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