Mindfulness in Reading: Meditations on Words & Wisdom

by Ella Berthoud

Mindfulness in Reading embraces the joy of absorbing words on a page, encouraging a deeply therapeutic state of mind as vital to our wellbeing as breathing.The healing power of reading has been renowned since Aristotle; focus, flow and enlightenment can all be achieved through this universal act. In this illuminating guide, Ella Berthoud explores how reading mindfully can shape the person you are, encouraging empathy and opening your mind to important morals.Through meditative exercises, engaging anecdotes and expert insights, discover the enriching potential of reading for mindfulness, by  

How to use reading to develop your emotional intelligenceHow to read in different waysHow to read like a child – without preconceptions and in exciting placesHow to benefit from reading with othersHow to find yourself in a book and remember what you have readIf you like this, you’ll also like Writer’s Creative Workbook, Mindful Thoughts for Walkers and Mindfulness & the Art of Drawing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Books About Books

144 pages, Hardcover

Published November 5, 2024

About the author

Ella Berthoud started reading on a journey from Tehran to London, on the parcel shelf of a Wolsey 1300 when she was five. She spent the next thirteen years reading books in inappropriate places like ski-lifts and trampolines. She studied English Literature at Cambridge University, where she read as many novels as she could at once. She continued on to University of East London where she studied Fine Art, and combined her twin passions of reading and painting by listening to books while creating works of art. She has worked as an artist in residence at Pentonville Prison, Friends School Saffron Walden and Queenswood School.

Ella first started talking about bibliotherapy with Susan Elderkin when they were at Cambridge together. Over the ensuing years they prescribed literature to their friends and family, while Ella worked as an artist and Susan wrote her own novels. In 2007 they developed the idea in conjunction with The School of Life into what it is today, a one to one service taking place in person, or over the phone.
Ella lives in West Sussex with her husband and three daughters.

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific new title in Leaping Hare's fabulous mindfulness series. I learned many strategies for making reading an even more meditative experience than before. Highly recommended for readers who want to become more aware than ever as they read!

[Neon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acknowledgements and a grateful thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group –Leaping Hare for the access to this e-ARC: 'Mindfulness in reading' by Ella Berthoud.

4 out of 5 stars rounded up from 3,5.

This was a good, informative read about mindfulness and reading, about reading with not only a critical mind, but an open and relaxed one, also. I found some of the font to be hard to read when either me or my eyes were tired so I did have to put it down and pickup something else with better contrast.

The author, Ella, creates a safe environment for learning and change. The book was created with humor and honesty.

I believe that to be a great reader, writer, and reviewer, you have to be mindful so that you can absorb what you are reading. Although there were some stuff I didn't agree with, for example, the comments and exercises about ruining books. It hurts my heart.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

A love letter to books and reading, Mindfulness in Reading is a reminder of all of the wonderful benefits that come with reading and then takes it one step further.

I found the theory behind this text interesting. I am, however, unsure of some of the practices the author proposes.

This wasn’t by any means life changing, but it was a nice and easy read that reminded me of how much I love books and reading them.

[Saturday's Child]

A little book with some words of advice and wisdom.

[George Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acknowledgements and a grateful thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group –Leaping Hare for the access to this e-ARC: 'Mindfulness in reading' by Ella Berthoud.

4 out of 5 stars rounded up from 3,5.

This was a good, informative read about mindfulness and reading, about reading with not only a critical mind, but an open and relaxed one, also. I found some of the font to be hard to read when either me or my eyes were tired so I did have to put it down and pickup something else with better contrast.

The author, Ella, creates a safe environment for learning and change. The book was created with humor and honesty.

I believe that to be a great reader, writer, and reviewer, you have to be mindful so that you can absorb what you are reading. Although there were some stuff I didn't agree with, for example, the comments and exercises about ruining books. It hurts my heart.

[Georgina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book sits really well within the 'romanticising your life' trend. It's quite a sweet book and as someone who loves reading it's good to be reminded to really enjoy and luxuriate in the actual act of reading. It contains some helpful suggestions and practices that would be really grounding and direct your intention when reading. There was nothing truly groundbreaking in the suggestions, but having said that, how often do we think about 'how' we actually read? I think with any of these types of books you won't resonate with everything, but you might take a few ideas away from you or come back to some later.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title.

[Farha · Rating 3 out of 5]

“All good books should be a part of us forever”

Perhaps my biggest takeaway is to invest time in writing six-word memoirs of the books that I’ve read. I do struggle to keep a record of my reads and this might just be the simple, practical approach that I’ve been looking for.

Aside from that, there were many other mini mindfulness exercises that can be found throughout the book. A rather simple read which also presents different perspectives and ways to incorporate mindfulness in everyday reading.

[Michelle Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading has long been a meditative experience for me and when I saw this title, I knew I wanted to read it. I really wanted to love this book but much of it didn’t work for me and I found this to very much be a ‘take what you like and leave the rest’ book.

I hope other readers enjoy this more.



Thank you to Leaping Hare Press and NetGalley for the temporary PDF

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of books about reading books but this was by far the nicest - and also had suggestions I had not yet considered. I now have a list of reading resolutions and a list of other books to read. For me this is the ideal outcome.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will go in a shelf of books that includes “Essentialism,” “Do Your Om Thing,” “The Psychology of Money,” and “Big Magic:” all books I could (and have) read again to gain insight to myself and others.

I think I need to learn to do yoga while reading...I can't imagine anything more mindful than that.

[Melanie Solar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book. Mindfulness in reading takes a look at reading from a therapeutic standpoint, giving the readers a wealth of suggestions to allow them to better enjoy and understand the books they are reading. And while I won’t be adopting some of the suggestions, like cutting a longer, more daunting book into “manageable sections”, I may just take suggestions to read while doing yoga (either audiobooks, or poses like frog pose, or legs up the wall), or reading outside in nature more. Overall, a very interesting book.

[Becki Tovey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* I was surprised that this easily digestible book enhanced my experience of reading and gave me permission to connect back to my younger self.

When I was a child, I was utterly obsessed with reading. My favourite Disney character was Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I thought I was her: walking around the quiet village all day with my head stuck in a book wishing for a library, falling asleep with a book on my face at night.

When I went up to Sixth Form it was just me and my books (and the soundtrack of my iPod). Reading in parks, in the common room, at bus stops. I wasn’t interested in people, and would actively give anyone who approached “The Book Off” without guilt or hesitation. I was getting through the classics and becoming a disgustingly well read teenager.

Then something happened and I just couldn’t read anymore. Was this ‘something’ boyfriends? Was it social media? Was it the lack of family scaffolding? I don’t know but I couldn’t make myself do it. We had an assignment at uni to read and illustrate 100 Years Of Solitude and no matter how hard I tried, I could not read that bloody book, even though I really liked it. I couldn’t read any book I attempted.

That pass-time I loved so much was gone.
I just stopped reading.

This went on for quite some time.
What a sad situation.

15 years later, after getting into podcasts as an adult, and an ADHD diagnosis, something clicked, perhaps that thrill of being read to? I realised, “I am allowed to read audiobooks.” Why I didn’t know this before I can not fathom, but with that new found discovery, I was able to enjoy reading again.

And one day I was picking up actual books again, just like when I was younger. And I felt more like myself for it.

And so to this book which caught my eye in the local library, which is now a frequently visited location.

At the beginning I found the book a little trite and lazy, and was put out that the illustrations were the same image, repeated. Maybe I was just in a critical mood that day. I’m glad I stuck with it as it turned out to be a lovely read that connected me with that younger book-obsessed me, and helped me better appreciate and relish the book era I am currently enjoying.

Reading is obviously a huge part of Ella Berthoud’s life and routine: where they find comfort, joy, connection. They clearly shared that in these pages which increased my gratitude for books and reading.

Some valuable, (though sometimes slightly silly) ideas to enhance the experience of reading from learning your reading style, to hula hooping while reading. I particularly enjoyed the sections about reading children’s books which felt very affirming to the parts of me craving that sort of nurture at the moment, and gave me permission to tuck in with my reading light and read The House on Pooh Corner aloud before closing my eyes each night which is an astoundingly wholesome and heartwarming ritual, my inner child is thankful for.

“Reading like a child is beneficial in so many ways. Returning to a state of unsullied curiosity, delighted expectation and unashamed pleasure can only be a good thing […] the sense of security, the pleasure of being read to, the bubble of the protective world.”

I now want to read with people more than ever, to savour each word, memorise passages, enjoy the weight of the paper in my hands, the sound of the narrators soothing voice in my ear.

One of the invitations in this book is the 6 word summary. I’m likely to adopt this for reviews in future:
Relish your books: they are magic.

I would recommend this as a gift: It’s short, simple, inoffensive, accessible and generally a lovely reminder of the joy of reading. I would have liked my own copy to mark my favourite ideas, and may buy in the future.

~

Book 42 of 2026.
I am reading and reviewing over 100 books in 2026 to support my creative practice, my future training as an art therapist, and my goal of publishing my own book.

[Melinda Charlesworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m loving trying to write ‘6-word summaries’ – the 6 words for this book are ‘read slow, think more, read actively – and having a stab at haiku for the first time.

I’ve underlined countless paragraphs, taken notes and written down quotes, and started a reading journal.

I think I might be reaching for this one on a regular basis just for the motivation and inspiration!