Chris' Christian Blog

Self-Help Does help

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The 30 DBC prompt for February 11, 2016 is "A recent article in the Wall Street Journal explores bibliotherapy, "detox" book recommendations to help treat issues like stress, procrastination, and bereavement. The founder of the Book Pharmacy in Berlin suggests that "there are 'detox classics,' including epics like The Odyssey, and 'detox-by-distraction' bundles of crime, romance, or fantasy." Write a short story in which a character visits a "book doctor." What might prompt this sort of treatment? Which books are prescribed, and do they work as a cure? Are there any side effects?"

I would have to go with most any books in the addiction self-help genre. So my short story would be:

A drunk stumbled into a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous on February 9, 2009 because he had been told they could help him stop drinking and destroying his life. One of the members said "Welcome. Have a seat. Do you drink coffee? I'll get you a cup. How do you take it? Would you like a doughnut?"

The drunk whose name also happened to be Chris became friend's with the man. The man bought Chris a copy of Alcoholics Anonymous and began teaching him from it. He hasn't had a drink since.