Rebecca Watson sets out a sensible argument in favour of viewing anxiety, stress and self-doubt as transitory states rather than fixed elements in our personality (Opinion, Life & Arts, March 8). She offers this as a pathway to achieving mental calm. I fully agree.
However, it was the title of her piece that brought me the solution. “What makes a good self-help book?” she asks. “A good book” is my response.
Research in the field of neuroscience shows that reading books — especially literature — reduces stress as we gain perspective and feel empathy for the characters.
Eithne Kennedy
CEO, Isle Of Us Productions, Singapore
