I'm looking for some good self help books

[ClaireRundle]

I have been trying to improve myself this year by reading some self help and self enlightenment books. Anyone have any suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.

[Everyman]

I'm not really into self-help books as such, but perhaps the best self-help book of all time is the Bible. Not, I hasten to say, for its religious teachings per se; I'm not suggesting reading it in order to become converted to either Judaism or Christianity.  But a careful reading of the Bible raises so many, many issues of the self, and contains such deep wisdom about living a good life, that one I think cannot read it with any care and not emerge with some significant insights into how to help oneself become a more moral person. 

In the old Barnes and Noble University there was a course on Reading the Bible as Literature.   I never got a chance to particate in it much, and the bit I did the topic was overwhelmed by those who insisted on infusing the discussion with their religious beliefs, but the concept of the course, that there is much secular wisdom about life and living hidden in those ages, was, I though, quite correct.

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ClaireRundle wrote:
I have been trying to improve myself this year by reading some self help and self enlightenment books. Anyone have any suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.

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[Peppermill]

Claire -- I quite agree with Eman on his suggestion -- from exactly the perspective he suggests.

You might also include Montaigne's Essays in your reading stack -- not all at once, but to dabble in periodically.  He thinks well and deeply on life and living.

My third suggestion is to try to find the list of 200+ works Stephen Covey claims to have read in preparing The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People . 

Finally (from me), a lighter hearted favorite is Hugh Prather's How to Live in the World and Still Be Happy .

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Everyman wrote:

I'm not really into self-help books as such, but perhaps the best self-help book of all time is the Bible. Not, I hasten to say, for its religious teachings per se; I'm not suggesting reading it in order to become converted to either Judaism or Christianity.  But a careful reading of the Bible raises so many, many issues of the self, and contains such deep wisdom about living a good life, that one I think cannot read it with any care and not emerge with some significant insights into how to help oneself become a more moral person. 

In the old Barnes and Noble University there was a course on Reading the Bible as Literature.   I never got a chance to particate in it much, and the bit I did the topic was overwhelmed by those who insisted on infusing the discussion with their religious beliefs, but the concept of the course, that there is much secular wisdom about life and living hidden in those ages, was, I though, quite correct.

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ClaireRundle wrote:
I have been trying to improve myself this year by reading some self help and self enlightenment books. Anyone have any suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.

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P.S. -- I have not used either of these enough to be totally conversant with their usefulness, but if you do tackle the Bible, you may find a commentary like Leland Rykan's How to Read the Bible as Literature  useful, or perhaps James Kugel's How to Read the Bible , although don't let either get in the way of the "real thing."  (I have used each enough to respect the work of the authors.)

[JLTaylor]

A book I recently read that fits into this category is Boundaries by Cloud and Townshend.  It is a Christian self-help book so I don't know if you will find it useful, however, the principles are sound without being overly religious.  It takes the outline of showing how we need to learn to set proper boundaries with people, and realizing that it isn't always the Christian thing to do to never say no to others.

[LLLos]

 I would highly recommend my book Streams In The Wasteland.  It is a book on codependency.  It is in cartoon format therefore very easy to read and grasp.  Here is one of my reviews by a professional colleague of mine.  “Many fine tracts have been written examining the issues of relationship codependency and enablement in the field of alcohol and drug addiction. Few works are as concise, unaffected and accessible to the general public as Lavonne Los’s ‘Streams in the Wasteland.’ With a sure knowledge of her subject, Ms. Los has constructed an insightful volume, free of textual complications and designed to provide a useful, easily understandable explanation of this ubiquitous and bewildering condition that plagues untold millions. The presentation is unique: illustrated story-boards tell the universal tales of the emotionally imprisoned victims of codependency and enablement and gently instruct in the ways of coping and healing. To my patients and all who seek help, education and information about this painful and perplexing subject, I strongly recommend this book.” Richard W. Hilger, MA, CSAC Also, please visit my website at www.recoveryou.com.  Best wishes.  LaVonne

[nuee]

Read lots of fiction, classic and contemporary. Watching the characters, especially the bad, the foolish and the doomed, you can make notes for your own self help list. Learning what NOT to do, or feel or say goes far in helping the self.

Be it Hamlet, Madame Bovary or Valley of the Dolls, the reader can always conclude,"That might have been handled differently."

And you never feel preached to.

Book lovers never go to bed alone.     -Anon.

[thewanderingjew]

Are you looking for any particular kind of help?
twj

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ClaireRundle wrote:
I have been trying to improve myself this year by reading some self help and self enlightenment books. Anyone have any suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated.

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[KathleenVitale]

My favorite self-help book is The Power of Now by Eckert Tolle, completely changed my life for the better!

[Yarpub]

If I may suggest something new and life-changing to you?

Watch the DVD of "Hear God Speak" or View-On-Demand.

Go to:  http://www.HearGodSpeak.net

It definitely changed my life!  Good luck and God bless!

[MrsWaki]

Yes, The Power of Now by Eckert Tolle