Read your way to a stress-free soul!

AScots psychologist has compiled a ‘reading list for the soul’ tohelp stressed-out workers deal with the pressures of the global recessionDr Mary Brown of Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, saysthe five books, ranging from a classic detective novel to a book of love poetryby the Poet Laureate - could help people to cope with job uncertainty and longworking hours The categories cover work, love, friendship,spirituality and fun The book list includes ‘The LongGood-bye’ by.Raymond Chandler, ‘Love Poems’ by Carol AnnDuffy, ‘A Complete Guide to the Soul’ by Patrick Harpur, ‘WhatColor is Your Parachute?’ by Richard Bolles and ‘The Secret Life ofBees’ by Sue Monk Kidd. Brown compiled the list as a part ofher research ‘Work Til We Drop’, examining reasons for taking or nottaking sickness leave during the recession"Counselling has itsbenefits, but books can be dipped into at any time in a more private and deepercapacity,” The Scotsman quotedBrown as saying"These books are inspiring and addresspeople’s issues, giving them subtle hints on how to resolve them withoutpreaching at them They will give them the confidence it’s not them atfault,.it’s the workplace and that there are ways of bringing meaning toyour life without packing in your job," she added.