A Ridiculous Question, but Important

I never like when someone (other than in work contexts) is trying to force anything onto me, especially when they expect me to get into it (read, watch, listen etc) and inquire about it without my initiating the discussion or at least hinting that I am interested. Reading is definitely one of my favorite activities and I love discussing books, getting recommendations to assess for myself, I also often recommend reading to others. But I rarely loan actual books to someone without previously talking about it and knowing the person is interested, and vice versa... or at least knowing the person's taste pretty well and being confident it would be a good fit.

I think gifting can be different - you just give it and no need to ever bring up the subject again, unless desired. Loaning kinda implies the expectation of feedback and, without invitation, I find that intrusive. I am actually quite surprised that a T would just lend books to a client out of the blue. My last T loved reading and we had many overlapping interests in books (and art, and many other things), sometimes we discussed it briefly, but I did not want my therapy sessions to be about books or other things I routinely can and do discuss with pretty much anyone in my life. Sometimes we brought up things related to psychology, but only talked about it, never brought it into our meeting in material form.

If otherwise this is a good T for you, she was probably well-meaning... e.g. left the book to occupy you during the break, not thinking it would not be wanted. To me, it would also feel a bit like homework, but reading a popular fiction book that does not pique your interest is not really useful homework... or even appropriate, IMO.

In any case, I would be upfront with the T and tell her if you are not interested in those books - it can be done politely and I doubt she would be offended. I think it might be better to be direct about it also to avoid having to deal with this over and over again in the future. If you never say, she will never know and perhaps assume that you like it, especially if you are not truthful about your opinion and preferences. If you would still welcome theoretical book recommendations from her, maybe ask her to bring them up in conversation, perhaps with the possibility of borrowing the book ("There is this book.... in case you are interested, I own a copy and could lend it to you." - "Thanks, I may look into it."). And leave it there.

I relate to you not liking "inspirational novels where the heroine goes through some dismal experiences, triumphs and lives a happy life. I would be thinking how unrealistic can one get. But that's me. I presume your therapist means well and she trying to be encouraging. Could you tell her what is helpful to you? Especially if there are any novels, nonfiction, self help book that would be beneficial. In my over 20s years of therapy with different pdocs, therapists not one of them eve suggested any books to read, I love reading novels, nonfiction, Now I am reading "The Green Man" by Kingsley Amis" A sexy, with ghost story, Oh did I meanion it was sexy? LOL

Do you feel offended or hurt when someone does not share your taste in books or says they don't care for a book you enjoyed?

Bloody hell. Just tell T you aporiciate the gesture but like to browse for your own books.

Okay, but same question. Do you (or would you) feel hurt if someone did not care for the book you gave them, and perhaps would not want you to give them more books?

The reason I am asking is, for you, to perhaps look at the different possible scenarios. 1. If you would feel hurt in a reverse situation yourself (because books are so important to you), maybe you are projecting your own feelings onto the therapist and make assumptions. 2. If you would not be hurt, maybe she (and many other people, as was hinted in this thread) would not be offended at all either. In either case, I personally would look at this as accepting or rejecting a form of treatment that she is offering - isn't that the point, why she is giving you the books, because she thinks they are somehow relevant to your psychological situations and might show a way out? So, by accepting all the books and being positive about them is kinda like taking a medication that does not work at all, even more, it has undesirable side effects, to not hurt the provider's feelings. I know that I am a bit too cold/clinical the way I discuss this, but isn't it sort of the reality of a therapy situation?