The purpose of this thesis was to examine reading groups in public libraries from a bibliotherapeutic perspective. In order to reach this purpose following questions needed to be answered: What does the discussion in reading groups look like? What does the reading groups fulfill for their participants? What is the circle leaders’ role? The study is based on the observations of three reading groups and of five interviews of its participants. With the help of Caroline Shrodes theory the study shows that there are few signs of bibliotherapy in the reading groups. But on the other hand they show similarities with other bibliotherapeutic reading groups, by being a social venue for its participants. They can also contribute to the participants wellbeing and their self- esteem and self-understanding. The results also show that the circle leaders role can be important for the discussion in the reading group. The reading groups are in many ways important to their participants and the results in this thesis shows that bibliotherapy could play an important role in the public libraries of Sweden.