AS a youngster, Alana Marshall created a library from all her family’s books.
Each volume was lovingly labelled and carefully catalogued with a pocket card.
“Oh, how I loved to use my cherished date stamp,” the Floreat mum and entrepreneur said.
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READ NOW“Luckily my parents were understanding and patient.”
Drawing on that early passion for paperbacks and a lifetime love affair with words, Marshall created her new business The Library Within.
A unique service to booklovers of Perth, it offers the art of bibliotherapy – the use of books as therapy – a practise she discovered through philosopher-writer Alain de Botton and his School of Life.
“As a self-confessed bibliophile and quote collector, I relish applying the insights I gain through reading to help make sense of this sometimes messy life,” Marshall said.
“I find books and the practise of reading to be a tool for personal restoration, exploration, understanding and expansion.
“Literature can be used as a medium of insight for relieving stress, learning more about yourself and others, self-growth and developing a deeper connection to life.”
Her bibliotherapy session comprises a pre-interview questionnaire, 45-minute consultation (in-person or via Skype/phone) and a ‘prescription’ of five to seven books.
A personalised follow-up is also included.
“This session will help you explore your reading habits and tastes, including how to best use your reading time, understand a little more about your relationship with books and guide your future literary selections,” she said.
Marshall has a professional background in education management and career development.
“I realised how important it felt to me to share the power of and my love for words,” Marshall said.
To find out more, email alana@inspiredu.com.au or visit inspiredu.com.au.
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