NEWS

Third Tuesdays from April - September, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

DAVIDSON, NC -- Main Street Books invites the community to participate in Bibliotherapy: A Philosophical Salon, a six-session program designed to be a respite for the world-weary. The pace of change in the world sometimes seems to outpace our ability to take it all in: tech advancements, political upheaval, natural disasters. And yet our everyday lives still consist of the people we love and our daily routines. Where do we turn for solace and direction when overwhelmed? Turns out, great thinkers, writers, and artists have some things to say. We’ll reflect on their offerings together over the course of six monthly sessions, led by Jennifer Coleman, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and a bookseller at our very own Main Street Books.

Jennifer Coleman

ABOUT THE SESSIONS:

Session One: What Makes a Life Well Lived? (Or, Focusing on What We Can Control, Let’s Get Clear on What It Looks Like)

Great thinkers have had a lot to say about what makes a Good Life. Inspired by some of their thoughts, what say you? How are you living it right now? What would you like to include more of in your everyday life?

Session Two: Poetry (Or, How to Cope When There’s a Lot Going On in the World)

Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry, Rumi, Kahlil Gibran, Maya Angelou

What happens when we read poetry? Whatever magic poets bring, how do we make this alchemy part of how we see the world on a daily basis?

Session Three: On Tyranny (Or, What Makes a Responsible Citizen in a Democracy)

What can we do besides vote, call our reps, and protest? Review what Timothy Snyder says in "On Tyranny," his pamphlet-like book on how to protect democracy.

Session Four: How to Not Give an F* (Or How to Focus on What Really Matters)

Mark Mason, in his iconic essay, ironically implores us not to care less, but more about what really matters. What does this look like in practice? What relationships, actions, and words need less energy from us and what will we turn our focus to when we’ve achieved a rebalance?

Session Five: How to Fight (Or, Ask for What You Need, Say What You Mean)

John Gottman, Thich Nhat Hahn, and now Priya Parker have lots to say on this topic. Good fighting makes us closer to the other person in the best situations and proud of our ability to stay curious and open in the worst ones. Groups must endure disagreements to become community. How have we tended to fight, or avoid fighting in our own lives?

Session Six: Group-Led Topic TBD

DETAILS:

When: Third Tuesday of the month, 7:00-9:00 p.m.: April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, and Sept.15

Where: Main Street Books, 126 S. Main Street, Davidson

Cost: $75 for 6 sessions or $15 per drop-in

Deadline: Must register by 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 19, for the entire series and by 5:00 p.m. the Sunday prior to each session for the drop-in rate. Register here: https://mainstreetbooksdavidson.com/events/bibliotherapy-philosophical-salon-series

“Main Street Books is delighted to provide this opportunity for dialogue and discussion in our community,” said bookstore owner Adah Fitzgerald. “There is no need for previous philosophical experience, just a sense of curiosity and a desire for reflection.”

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Jennifer Coleman is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in private practice at The Edmund Center, 20605 N. Main Street, Cornelius, NC. Jennifer has been a professional counselor for over 20 years and meets with clients 18 & up to deal with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and life transitions. She designed this salon to meet what she believes is becoming a community need and selfishly, in an attempt to find meaning communally and become less world-weary herself. Learn more about Jennifer at www.jennifercolemancounselor.com

ABOUT MAIN STREET BOOKS

Main Street Books has been a fixture on Davidson, NC’s Main Street since 1987, and our mission is to enrich and sustain the reading lives of local readers and writers with an inclusive, thoughtful literary collection, a creatively curated events calendar, and an engaged staff. The bookstore is open Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.