Wesleigh Siobhan does a wonderful job narrating this very important and informative book! She captures the nuances of the author's voice. The narration feels familiar and brings a warmth to the knowledge I was taking in. This book should be a must-read for all educators, counselors and therapists. It empowers people to explore themselves through something they find pleasurable, reading. I plan to do a re-read when I have the physical book. But I love that she incorporated the important impact that Black librarians had on Bibliotherapy and how Sadie Delany was the pioneer bibliotherapist. I have been reading YA books for the past few years as an educator and I often come across books that I think would be perfect for a small group whose purpose was to explore that topic in their own lives. Emely's book put a name to what I was thinking about and I'm so happy that she opened the door with this book.

"When we are reading, we are healing"

This book teaches how reading can help people to make sense of their feelings and their situations, such as fiction for emotional catharsis or to teach empathy, poetry to allow patients to feel emotions without getting trapped in them, and hip hop for empowerment and personal growth. Emely teaches that books are medicine, even fairy tales can be used as a therapeutic tool! The book also shows how books are medicine, but as with any other medication, it must be tailor made to work for each patient.

Absolutely outstanding information, I learned so much! (Did you know the term bibliotherapy was coined in 1916? I sure didn't!) There were also some outstanding book recommendations I can't wait to get into! Not only was the content of the book amazing, the narrator also knocked it out of the park. Listening to this audiobook was like having a friend, or someone you wish was your friend, gentle tell you about their favorite things. Highly recommend for all book lovers! It'll help you feel better about your book buying habits (it's a psychosocial support system, not an overload of books) and teach you ways books can help address all sorts of issues.

This book is honestly one of the most important books releasing this year. Emily put her heart and soul into this book and i can’t wait for the world to read it. This is one i pre-ordered and requested the audible for review purposes. i think people will really get into this audible as she reads it so well. The book itself is informative and at the same time very personal.

It is impossible to understate how much I adored this book.

The narration was excellently done, and the content was exactly what my soul needed. I loved that the author was so open, welcoming, and genuine. You could feel it in the presentation of the materials. To speak about her own barriers to certification felt like an on-ramp to total acceptance for everyone to come as they were, and be met where they were at with compassion.

Before this book, I was unaware of the formal existence of Bibliotherapy as a whole, but as someone who was raised by books, it resonated so much. I would love to see a worksheet with the questions that Rumble asks us to reflect on as we get deeper in to the book. I found myself pausing to reflect and dig deeper than I typically do with books around topics like these, and couldn’t help but feel there is a gateway to a bit of an “Artist’s Way” but for readers style workbook in this content - and I would love nothing more than for that.

This book felt like an educational hug, and support I didn’t know I needed until I was there.

Thank you NetGalley and Row House By Spotify for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

As the author of Bibliotherapy in the Bronx, I knew from the very beginning that I wanted the audiobook to carry the emotional weight and tenderness that lives on the page. This book holds stories from therapy rooms, classrooms, libraries, and my own life—and it was essential that the voice bringing it to life could hold those truths with care, nuance, and soul.

Wesleigh Siobhan was the perfect choice. Known and beloved in the world of Black romance narration, this was her first nonfiction project—and she approached it with the kind of sensitivity and depth that this work required. Her voice doesn’t just read the book—it feels it. She tended to each passage, each poem, and each reflection with reverence, allowing the emotional and cultural layers of the Bronx, of Black and Brown healing, and of bibliotherapy to shine through.

As I listened, I found myself moved by her pacing, her ability to sit with silence when needed, and the way she honored both the soft and strong moments. I’m so grateful to her for holding this work so beautifully—and for helping it reach the ears and hearts of those who need it most.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

It was not until I followed the author on social media, did I even learn with Bibliotherapy was. I was excited to learn more about it through her social media pages but was thrilled when I saw that the author was going to be putting a book out there.

This book was not only informative but entertaining to listen to. The narrator did a great job. I will be recommending this book to other.

A deeply moving book!

As someone who has followed Emely Rumble on social media for years, I am very aware of her expert skills in pairing books with therapy. She has shared so many beautiful stories on how she has had breakthroughs with patients/clients. It is safe to say I am invested in what she is doing.

So Bibliotherapy in the Bronx has such a wonderful impact on me. With sneak peeks at Emely's youth, to the research of Bibliotherapy and the history of Black and Latines relationship with literature, this book was a beautfiiul concotion of a perfect book rec for readers, and a guiding light to readers seeking mental health rep.

A beautiful book that needs to be read by all book lovers!

Listening to ‘Bibliotherapy in the Bronx’ on audiobook was an experience that exceeded all my expectations. The way the subject matter was explored, the structure of the book, and the narration itself all came together in a way that felt both profound and immersive.

Emely Rumble delivers a powerful and deeply insightful examination of how literature can be a transformative force, particularly for marginalised communities. She masterfully blends personal narrative with therapeutic insight, making this not just an informative read but an incredibly personal one as well.

Through real-world case studies, Rumble highlights the unique struggles and triumphs of individuals navigating trauma and emotional complexity. She enriches the narrative with reflective exercises and practical strategies, offering readers tangible ways to engage with bibliotherapy. The inclusion of curated book recommendations adds another layer of depth, making this a resource that extends beyond the pages.

This book serves as a poignant reminder of literature’s ability to heal, empower, and liberate. Rumble seamlessly weaves her own experiences into the text, making it both relatable and deeply moving. As a reader, this offered deep insights into the power of books and reading beyond simply what’s on the page.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.