The first thing which struck me about this book is its quality. It's a hardback, and the pages feel lovely, not made with that cheap and nasty paper that feels like it ought to have perforations in it and be on a cardboard roll. Amazingly, the price of the book is under a tenner. As an object in itself, it would make a very fine gift without breaking the bank. But what of the actual contents?

Perhaps I have led a sheltered life, but until reading this I had not realised there was such a profession as bibliotherapist. Yet the author is one, and if, like me, you're none the wiser, here is what she says:

"My job involves looking at the entire person -- their life, their tastes, their passions, their desires, hopes dreams and any issues they may have. I then prescribe the ideal books for them to read right now...."

This book is very rich in ideas. One, which I dismissed at first, is to create a reading nook. This involves finding a place, possibly within your own home, where you can cut yourself off from everyone and everything else. It may involve putting a curtain in front of it, or a screen. When I read this I thought it sounded a bit crazy. However, a few weeks later I was walking around a local nature reserve and found this kind of cul-de-sac that nobody seemed to bother with -- they all went along the main path. This small area was lovely: lots of greenery, butterflies and birds, sunny while sheltered at the same time -- and there was a bench there. I thought to myself that one of these days I shall escape here, armed with a book, and spend a happy few hours reading where nobody can get at me! That's when I remembered the advice in this book.

Another idea I like is hosting a book-sharing party, which is like a Secret Santa event in which people swap books anonymously rather than random gifts. In fact, all of the ideas in the chapter on sharing are very nice, such as reading in sync with a "book buddy".

There is also a good selection of further reading towards the end of the book.

I have to say, though, that some of the ideas are, in my humble opinion, not merely bonkers but positively dangerous. I can just about accept that there are some people who can read a book while using a hula hoop; perhaps there are even some who can read in a tree without nodding off and then falling out of it! But reading while on a unicycle? I suppose there are some yogic types who have attained that level of mindfulness, but I don't think that's for the faint-hearted. Something to aspire to, methinks.

There's a section about yoga poses to adopt while reading, but I think a few line drawings would have been useful here. But that would have no doubt put the price up.

Taking the book from the point of view of mindfulness rather than reading, I'm no expert but some of the suggestions -- such as paying attention to the look and feel of the book -- seem to me pretty sensible. Indeed, the whole book, even including the crazier parts, does have a calming effect on one. In other words, it's a book which does what it says on the tin. Highly recommended.

Please note that I was sent a free copy of this book, but that has not influenced this review.