Emely Rumble, "Bibliotherapy in The Bronx" (Row House, 2025)

Apr 18, 2026

Emily (Emely) Rumble, a licensed clinical social worker and bibliopsychotherapist, draws on 15+ years blending literature and therapy. She discusses how books act as mirrors, the ritual of rereading and commonplace books, poetry therapy and carry-along poems, and why fiction and book access matter for community mental health.

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INSIGHT

Blend Memoir Theory And Practical Tools For Broader Reach

Rumble balanced three reader audiences by combining memoir, clinical context, and practical bibliotherapy guidance.
Editors pushed for memoir elements so readers would emotionally connect, not just receive clinical theory.

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ADVICE

Organize Bibliotherapy Around History Individual And Collective Healing

Structure bibliotherapy arguments into history, individual healing, and collective/community healing to make the method accessible.
Rumble centers libraries as essential third spaces and tailors the case selection to reflect readers in marginalized communities.

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ANECDOTE

Puerto Rican Librarianship Chapter Cut For A Bigger Project

Rumble wanted to include Puerto Rican librarianship history but cut it because it required archival research in Puerto Rico.
She plans a deeper project that would require weeks in Puerto Rican libraries and university archives to do the topic justice.

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How the Book Began and Early Writing

02:30 • 4min

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Target Audience and Editorial Changes

06:22 • 5min

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Book Structure: Three Parts and Narrative Arc

11:38 • 5min

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Decisions on What to Include and Puerto Rico

16:37 • 2min

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Defining Bibliotherapy and Books as Mirrors

Mirrors, Rituals, and Commonplace Books

25:55 • 6min

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Rereading and Personal Reflection

31:27 • 48sec

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Their Eyes Were Watching God as Bibliotherapy

Poetry Therapy and Always-Carry Poems

42:35 • 2min

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Why Fiction Matters Clinically

44:35 • 5min

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Books, Censorship, and Community Mental Health

49:43 • 7min

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Books to Watch: New and Upcoming Reads

57:00 • 4min

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Where to Find Rumble and Support

01:00:32 • 2min

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Reflections After One Year and Stewarding Conversation

Something We Said, Richard Pryor, A Notorious Word and Me

Elizabeth Sordor Pryor

#104601

Conversion Therapy Dropout

A Queer Story of Faith and Belonging

Timothy Strader Rodriguez

#77002

Lessons We Were Never Taught

Nakesha (Nakeisha) Elise Williams

#91976

Bibliotherapy in the Bronx

Emily (Emely) Rumble

Emely Rumble's Bibliotherapy in the Bronx interweaves memoir, clinical insight, and case studies to argue for literature as a means of personal and collective healing. Grounded in Rumble's years of clinical work in the Bronx, the book explains bibliotherapy's history, theory, and practical applications for clinicians, librarians, educators, and readers. It foregrounds culturally affirming practices and the role of libraries and community spaces in supporting reading as therapy. The book includes reflective exercises, book recommendations, and examples demonstrating how fiction and poetry can facilitate recognition, language for emotion, and behavioral change. Rumble also highlights Black librarianship and accessibility, making a case for bibliotherapy as a social-justice-oriented mental health practice.

Rameka (Ramika) Bingham Risha

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The young king

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde's "The Young King" is a short story that explores themes of social justice, compassion, and the true meaning of kingship. The story follows a young king who, through a series of dreams, witnesses the suffering of the poor and oppressed. These visions challenge his understanding of power and lead him to reject the opulent trappings of royalty. He chooses to embrace humility and empathy, ultimately finding true fulfillment in serving his people rather than ruling them. The narrative is rich in symbolism and imagery, highlighting the contrast between superficial beauty and genuine compassion. Wilde's masterful prose creates a captivating and thought-provoking tale.

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The Seven Daughters of Eve

The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry

Bryan Sykes

In 'The Seven Daughters of Eve', Bryan Sykes delves into the science of human origins and migration, using mitochondrial DNA to trace the maternal ancestry of Europeans back to seven prehistoric women. The book combines scientific explanation with fictional narratives about these ancestral figures, providing insights into human evolution and genetic heritage. Sykes also discusses broader themes such as the 'out of Africa' theory and the impact of historical events on genetic diversity.

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Heavy

An American Memoir

Kiese Laymon

In this memoir, Kiese Laymon delves into his complex relationship with his mother, grandmother, and his own body, addressing themes of weight, identity, art, family, and national failures. Laymon writes about his experiences growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, including early encounters with sexual violence, his suspension from college, and his journey to becoming a young college professor in New York. The book is a candid and insightful exploration of the consequences of living in a country obsessed with progress but disinterested in reckoning with its past, and it highlights the personal and national weight of secrets, lies, and trauma.

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Their Eyes Were Watching God

Zora Neale Hurston

The novel follows Janie Crawford, an African-American woman, as she navigates through three marriages and her quest for love, freedom, and self-identity. Set in central and southern Florida, the story explores themes of race, gender, and identity, depicting Janie's transformation from a voiceless teenage girl to a woman who takes control of her own destiny. The narrative is marked by Janie's relationships with her husbands—Logan Killicks, Joe Starks, and Tea Cake—and her ultimate discovery of true love and independence.

Bibliotherapy in The Bronx (Row House, 2025) by Emely Rumble, LCSW, is a groundbreaking exploration of the healing power of literature in the lives of marginalized communities. Drawing from her personal and professional experiences, Rumble masterfully intertwines storytelling with therapeutic insights to reveal how reading can be a potent tool for self-discovery, emotional transformation, and social change.
In this transformative work, Rumble offers readers an intimate glimpse into her journey as a psychotherapist in the Bronx, where she has spent over 14 years using books to help clients navigate complex emotions, heal from trauma, and find their voices. Through vivid anecdotes and real-world case studies, she demonstrates how literature can serve as a bridge between personal pain and collective healing.
Rich with practical tips, reflective exercises, and book recommendations, Bibliotherapy in The Bronx is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the power of words to change lives. Whether you're a therapist, educator, bibliophile, or simply someone seeking deeper understanding and growth, this book offers a compassionate, culturally affirming guide to the transformative potential of storytelling.
Rumble's work is a testament to the enduring power of books to heal, empower, and liberate. In a time when the world feels increasingly divided, Bibliotherapy in The Bronx reminds us that the stories we tell—and the stories we read—can unite us in our shared humanity.

-Raymond Williams, PhD is a political scientist, blogger, and book club administrator with an interest in American History and Politics. You can find Raymond on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter at @rtwilliams16.

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