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A review by clairebartholomew549
Bibliophobia: A Memoir by Sarah Chihaya
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
As an avid--some would say unhinged--reader, I was so excited to read this book. This memoir traces Chihaya's relationship with books through a tumultuous childhood and young adulthood. Chihaya dives deep into the books that have shaped the way she interacts with herself and the world around her, and she is exquisitely vulnerable about her lifelong struggle with depression.
Despite the synopsis, which mentions Chihaya's mental breakdown being central to her memoir, I was definitely unprepared for how dark and devastating this book is. This is a book that will make you feel very seen about your ugliest thoughts and the ugliest parts of yourself, but it will also leave you feeling gutted. This is a powerful read, but definitely not light-hearted or easy, and although it does delve into how reading can function as a crutch and a way to escape your head to the detriment of your mental wellbeing, it's not really about reading so much as the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and how we function. This is one of the rawest and realest depictions of depression I've ever come across.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
Despite the synopsis, which mentions Chihaya's mental breakdown being central to her memoir, I was definitely unprepared for how dark and devastating this book is. This is a book that will make you feel very seen about your ugliest thoughts and the ugliest parts of yourself, but it will also leave you feeling gutted. This is a powerful read, but definitely not light-hearted or easy, and although it does delve into how reading can function as a crutch and a way to escape your head to the detriment of your mental wellbeing, it's not really about reading so much as the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and how we function. This is one of the rawest and realest depictions of depression I've ever come across.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Medical content
Minor: Eating disorder