7 Feb 2013

DOCTOR, DOCTOR ........

Can you guess what these books have in common?
  • Cider With Rosie - Laurie Lee
  • Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
  • The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • Haroun And The Sea Of Stories - Salmon Rushdie
  • The Beach Cafe - Lucy Diamond
  • The Big Over Easy - Jasper Fforde
  • Big Stone Gap - Adriana Trigiani
  • A Little History Of The World - EH Gombrich
  • Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson
  • The Pursuit Of Love - Nancy Mitford
  • 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




Sitting in our GP's surgery I was pleasantly surprised, nay, delighted to see instead of the usual leaflets regarding head lice, flu, incontinence, various sexually acquired diseases (some of them all too graphic) etc, etc this article about the  'therapeutic' books to be featured as part of the 'BOOKS ON PRESCRIPTIONscheme.

Drawn up by the Reading Agency charity via book groups, this trial scheme, starting in May, allows GP's to 'prescribe' 27 mood-boosting reads (including the ones above) which are stocked at local libraries in the hope that those with mild to moderate mental health conditions will try the books before turning to prescription drugs.

My question being .......

Which feel-good, mood-boosting read would you prescribe?

My list (and funnily enough the ma-in-law's) would have to include .......

Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven



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9 comments:

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I love the idea of Books on Prescription. Major Pettigrew would be on my list, for sure. I really enjoyed it.

Kelly said...

What a great idea!!!

I'd have to give it some thought. One person's "feel good" reading might be different than another's. For example, I know you don't care for the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, but they always leave me with a warm, satisfied feeling when I finish one.

R. Ramesh said...

haha good one boss

Suko said...

Excellent post! Laughter is the best medicine, and books that are funny or positive or simply enjoyable could be prescribed as treatment and/or prevention of disease. I'm also a fan of Mitch Albom, and have read a few of his books, starting with the touching Tuesdays with Morrie, and including the one you mention. And I must agree with your commenter, Kelly, about The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books (and films). They are "feel-good" stories, thoroughly enjoyable, perhaps just what the doctor could order, instead of meds!

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Great idea. Hm... Molly Harper comes to mind. Her books are sweet, funny and full of snark. :D

Stephanie@Fairday's Blog said...

I love this idea! Harry Potter always works for me. :)

Blond Duck said...

Hmmmm. BFG.

Bo said...

You'd never find that on this side of the pond. At least I don't think so. It's a fantastic idea, though. I would think Douglas Adams should be on the list. I was particularly fond of his Dirk Gently books. Best first line of a book ever: No one ever says pretty as an airport. I would also have to add Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

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