Kathmandu, Sept. 6 -- Not long ago, I was listening to a friend describe how life had unfolded for him. After facing a major setback in his business and professional life, he was searching for a new direction. In our conversation, I mentioned Anthony de Mello's book 'Awareness'. A few days later, after reading just a few pages, he sent me a message, "This book is doing bibliotherapy for me."

Until then, I had never thought of a book in that way. Could a book really be therapeutic?

It turns out, yes. Bibliotherapy is the idea that a book can act like a healer, almost like a therapist. The words on the page can reach into hidden corners of the heart and bring out thoughts or emotions we didn't know how to express. The author may never kno...