Citi of Books proudly brought the books of our remarkable authors to the heart of the 39th Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), turning our space into a lively corner where stories, ideas, and creativity met.
Being part of FIL from November 29 to December 7, in Expo Guadalajara, Av. Mariano Otero 1599, Col. Verde Valle, Guadalajara, Jalisco, meant more than simply displaying books—it meant becoming part of a larger cultural heartbeat. Our gallery served as a bridge between authors and curious readers, offering a close-up look at stories that deserve the spotlight. From powerful biographies to practical guides, and from imaginative fiction to soul-stirring reflections, our curated collection drew in visitors who left with new favorites in hand. And with the vibrant spirit of FIL all around us, every conversation, recommendation, and smile felt like a reminder of why we love sharing books with the world.
With FIL’s electric atmosphere—filled with authors, readers, and cultures from around the globe—our gallery became a warm stop for visitors eager to discover fresh voices and inspiring works. Among the standout titles we showcased was “The Creative Mystique: From Red Shoe Frenzy to Love and Creativity” by Dr. Susan Kavaler-Adler.
Susan Kavaler-Adler, Ph.D., ABPP, NPsyA, D.Litt has been in private practice for more than 40 years as a psychologist and psychoan-alyst. In addition to individual psychoanalysis and psychotherapy, she also runs various groups in creative and professional writing, clinical supervision, and in individual mourning within the therapy group. Dr. Kavaler-Adler is the founder and executive director of the Object Relations Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis in NYC (www.orinyc.org), where she teaches, supervises, and performs training analysis.
Susan Kavaler-Adler is also a prolific author, having published seven books, five upcoming that are still in progress, and more than 70 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. When she is not teaching, lecturing, or writing about the topics of “developmental mourning,” the “demon lover complex,” and creativity, Susan – an avid Argentine tango dancer and enthusiast – can be found dancing tango with her husband, Saul Adler, as well as with some well-known tango instructors and friends.
For more information about Susan Kavaler-Adler’s professional work and creative endeavors, visit www.kavaleradler.com.
Why does the woman possessed by an internal demon lover dance the frenetic dance of the Red Shoes? Can one emerge from the dark side of creativity?
Why do so many brilliant women artists seem to dance on the edge of destruction? “The Creative Mystique: From Red Shoe Frenzy to Love and Creativity” dives fearlessly into this haunting question. Drawing inspiration from the symbolic “Red Shoes” — the uncontrollable creative frenzy that leads to both genius and suffering — the book explores why creativity can feel like being possessed by an inner “demon lover.” This isn’t just drama; it’s a raw look at the emotional underworld many creative minds inhabit.
Through the lives of iconic women such as Camille Claudel, Virginia Woolf, Katherine Mansfield, Anne Sexton, and Susan Farrell, Dr. Kavaler-Adler reveals how creative brilliance often grows alongside deep psychological conflict. The stories are powerful, intimate, and sometimes painful, blending biography with clinical insight. Readers see how trauma, longing, and inner fantasy worlds shape the art these women created — and the struggles they endured. It’s a book that speaks directly to anyone who has ever felt both inspired and overwhelmed by their own imagination.
What makes this book especially compelling is how it contrasts failed therapeutic approaches with the healing potential of object-relations therapy. Dr. Kavaler-Adler explains how unhealthy creative compulsions, rooted in pathological narcissism, can trap artists in cycles of emotional chaos. But she also shows how these same creative drives can be transformed into healthier, more grounded forms of self-expression. For readers — especially creatives, therapists, and psychology enthusiasts — the book offers a rare window into the delicate balance between genius and emotional well-being.
Whether you’re drawn to biography, psychology, or the mysteries of the creative mind, “The Creative Mystique: From Red Shoe Frenzy to Love and Creativity” by Dr. Susan Kavaler-Adler is truly captivating. It gives readers a deeper appreciation for the women whose art shaped history — and for the emotional battles they silently fought. For artists questioning their own inner struggles, and for readers fascinated by human complexity, this book is both enlightening and deeply memorable. It reminds us that stepping out of the “Red Shoes” is possible, and that creativity, when healed, can lead not to frenzy but to freedom.
