IN-BUENOS-AIRES

8 Books to Read When You’re Stuck in a Rut at Work

I’ve been in some awful work ruts — the kind where my brain feels constipated, I can’t see a path forward, and I’m fighting back tears at my desk for no reason besides a sense of general failure. And I’ve had (mostly) decent jobs! Which is one of the worst things about feeling stuck and burned out in your career, as 77 percent of us have: Often, you can’t even put your finger on what’s wrong, what would make it better, or how to dig yourself out of that stressful hole you’re wallowing in. You could try drinking more, or seeing a therapist. Or you could read. The term bibliotherapy was first coined in 1916 by Samuel Crothers,

a Unitarian minister who believed in prescribing books to help people deal with their troubles. More recently, bibliotherapy has been incorporated into medical treatment programs for depression and other psychological disorders, with positive results. Meanwhile, researchers have found that reading fiction improves general brain function and connectivity, boosting emotional intelligence and even muscle memory — handy skills for any job. The right book at the right time, be it a novel, an autobiography, or self-help literature, can be a real kick in the pants, workwise and elsewhere. Here are eight suggestions for your office ailments.

The best Canadian suspense books to read at the cottage

It’s finally spring, making this the best time to pick some good Canadian crime fiction to get ready for cottage reading. First in line, A Dangerous Crossing (Minotaur, 352 pages, $33.99),

a solid and timely novel set in the world of Canadian international non-governmental organizations and international terrorism. Ausma Zehanat Khan’s terrific RCMP duo, Esa Khattak and Sergeant Rachel Getty, head for Greece in search of a kidnapped woman lost in the swarms of Middle Eastern and African refugees. This one is a superior topical nail-biter. Next, head to Vancouver for Cut You Down (Random House Canada, 368 pages, $24 paperback) by Sam Wiebe. This is a terrific return for PI Dave Wakeland and his ally, Vancouver PD officer Sonia Drego. There’s a missing girl with links to corruption and missing millions, so it all makes for a really solid plot with plenty of action and urban grit. Could a university student organization really be a front for money-laundering?

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8 Books to Read When You’re Stuck in a Rut at Work

The best Canadian suspense books to read at the cottage

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