The Girl Behind the Gates by Brenda Davies is a haunting portrayal of resilience, institutional cruelty, and the human need for dignity. Set within the walls of a psychiatric asylum, the novel follows the life of a young woman whose only crime is defiance in a world that demands silence and conformity. Rather than focusing on dramatic twists, the story reflects on how time, injustice, and neglect can erode identity — and how compassion, even in small measures, can begin to re

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk examines how trauma embeds itself not only in memory but in the body, shaping behaviour, emotion, and physical health long after the event has passed. The book explores the profound link between mind and body, showing that trauma is not just a psychological wound but a physiological imprint. At its core, it reflects on how healing requires more than understanding — it requires restoring a sense of safety, connection, and ownersh