How Do You Feel? by Jessi Gold

Gold, a psychiatrist in the US, covers important topics in her memoir, How Do You Feel? The focus is on the mental health of healthcare workers, specifically the stigma associated with healthcare workers needing support, carer burnout, and entrenched ideas about resilience, performance and career expectations (Adam Kay tackled similar themes in This is Going to Hurt, albeit in a much more humorous way). Gold was prompted to write her memoir after COVID when she found that she wasn’t taking her own advice and was suffering burnout.

Resilience is not the problem but it has been incorrectly framed as the solution.

Although the case studies; Gold’s own experience of therapy; and the inclusion of research and evidence creates an engaging read, I am not clear about the intended audience for this book. On one hand, it provides insight for those new to therapy (with examples all in a hospital setting). However, if it is aimed at healthcare workers, there is a lot of information included that I think those in the field already know… but maybe I’m bias and I don’t need ‘convincing’?!

I did appreciate Gold’s emphasis on the fact that at different points in our lives, we can all benefit from getting support. She is clear about the differences between psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists and I found her approach of not rushing to pathologise, but rather – ‘Go and do some talk therapy and then come back to me and we’ll then see what’s needed’, really refreshing.

3/5

Hip Hop & Hope by Romi Grossberg

When Grossberg decided to give up her job as a social worker in Australia for a two-year contract with an NGO, Tiny Toones, in Cambodia, she never imagined how life-changing the experience would be. Based in Phnom Penh, Tiny Toones is a hip hop youth centre, that gets at-risk kids off the streets, away from drugs, and keeps them busy with music, dance and school.

Grossberg tells of own experience in Cambodia, the individual stories of some key members, and her efforts to take Tiny Toones abroad for performances in Singapore and Australia.

Grossberg has interesting things to say about charity and hand-outs (she avoids because of the lack of long-term agency) and personal boundaries (in Cambodia, the way that her life intersected with those of the people at Tiny Toones did not align with what would be considered ethical in Australian social work). I enjoyed her reflections on the importance for her to disclose parts of her own life, in order to build trust and relationships with the kids at Tiny Toones.

3/5

The Burrow by Melanie Cheng

A carefully crafted story that begins simply – a family, Amy, Jin and Lucie are leading an isolated life during the COVID lockdowns. They buy a pet rabbit (named Fiver) for Lucie, and soon after Amy’s mother, Pauline, who is recovering from a broken wrist, comes to stay.

Cheng keeps a tight focus on the family dynamics, and in doing so reveals the tensions between each character and ultimately an emotionally complex back-story. The use of COVID to create a sense of isolation, and the rabbit to symbolise our need for love and care is exquisitely done.

It’s no secret that I’m drawn to grief stories – it’s usually memoir but occasionally fiction comes along that offers insight, sensitivity and feels ‘real’. Cheng has created an absorbing and deeply felt story.

It’s been longlisted for the Stella Prize and I reckon it could win.

4/5