Reminiscent of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series, the 50 stories collected here by Kiwi publisher Battat offer an inspirational, feel-good view of life. The narratives depict individuals making decisions or experiencing unexpected events that shape them into the people they are today. Not essential but a positive pick-me-up that can be read in small bursts.

One doesn't have to have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to benefit from the lessons its treatment has to offer. So writes recovering OCD sufferer Bell, whose text resonates with everyday doubts and our frequently debilitating reactions to them. That said, Bell throws out a lot of acronyms, and readers get enmeshed in the OCD world as they proceed. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as family and friends will get into the heads of those who suffer from this condition.

As the baby boomers approach 60 and beyond, look for books like these on dealing with the aging process. Boyd, who for ten years has been a columnist for Modern Maturity magazine, compassionately answers over 150 questions from readers on the subjects of relationships, memories, health, and wisdom. While the emotion of loss comes through loud and clear, the desire to make each second count plays a role. Readers will undoubtedly relate and find solace and inspiration.

Kilpatrick, offers the experience of sitting on a porch "jawing" with a group of old cronies. He gives advice about doing something useful with extra time, keeping oneself from looking seedy, and spicing up an exercise routine. The section on prostate cancer may be appreciated by those going through it, while others might find the easy recipes helpful. Best suited as a gift to a great-grandfather.

Many people know they should stop and smell the roses but don't. These two authors want to help readers make it happen. Community counselor Ferguson's approach involves creating an awareness of situations that trigger cortisol, the fight/flight hormone, and learning how to react healthfully to them. She provides self-assessment tools and suggests stress-reduction activities that are geared toward those who hate exercise, tend toward introversion, or have been in a rut.

Author Hershey (Soul Gardening) riffs on the principle of Sabbath, aiming toward carving out a "being space" in order to pray, touch, rest, etc. He pulls from a number of spiritual traditions to provide readers with seasonal activities/nonactivities to aid in relaxation and appreciation of the surrounding world. For a quick and easy guide to stress management, Ferguson is the ticket. For an alternative way of thinking, try Hershey.

In a book that's part graphic novel, part kung fu manual, and part narrative, creative principal Foster and pastor Wilhite have crafted this incredibly readable guide for developing character and integrity. Each chapter uses graphics, true stories, and dialog to alert readers to avoiding character assassins such as greed and porn. A recurring theme is that people who have "messed up" can start over again. While the writing is geared toward young men, people of all ages will find the book helpful and hard to put down.

Journalist Lesowitz and gratitude practitioner Sammons demonstrate through life stories, quotes, and tool kits that gratitude can be the key to kicking an addiction, healing the planet, or just staying sane in a traffic jam. A particularly poignant chapter discusses how to find grace and wisdom in good-byes. This compelling book goes beyond Random Acts of Kindness but inspires the same hope and motivation for good. Buy two copies: one for the library and another for yourself.

In this thought-provoking and somewhat painful narrative, Lelwica (Starving for Salvation: The Spiritual Dimensions of Eating Problems) considers the obsession with thinness in the context of the broader cultural, religious, and historical influences on women's attitudes toward weight and food. She then offers components of healing that can lead to a fuller, more satisfying life. While she vividly portrays the pressures on women to stay thin, she puts a lot of emphasis on acceptance.

Majer, a respected trainer for athletes, the military, and corporate organizations under his Human Potential Project, delivers a comprehensive plan to bring one's mind, body, and actions into alignment. While some of the advice on being accountable and keeping commitments is straightforward, other lessons on the function of language and education are rather complex. Many of the exercises are designed to be done within a group setting. A rigorous approach only for teams and the extremely dedicated.

Writing as a licensed psychologist and a woman who regained her sexual desire, Mintz offers a five-step plan designed to excite and energize the 33 percent of stressed-out and tired women who have lost interest in sex. Mintz briefly discusses the possible causes of this problem but focuses on her "Five T" program—Thoughts, Talk, Time, Touch, and Tryst (the last being an element of spontaneity, not an affair). Geared toward those in long-term relationships, the suggestions are most helpful when both partners are committed to changing behaviors.

Scott, founder of the Childless by Choice Project, contributes to the growing literature on people choosing to forgo having children. She bases her observations on an extensive survey, exploring the decision-making process that relates not only to the ramifications of this decision but also to living a childless life in a pronatal world. Scott discusses this emotionally wrought topic in a measured, neutral tone that will appeal to those making these decisions and their extended families.

Practitioner of employment law and lifestyle expert Shigley here serves as a big sister to young women on the road to professional and personal success. She clearly discusses what to look for in joining a gym, how to cultivate a mentor, and what's involved in the art of negotiation. Popular culture changes rapidly, but guides like this have proven popular among the target audience.

Shinn, who died in 1940, was an important American spiritual teacher and lecturer in the early 20th century. She self-published The Game of Life and went on to write three more books, all contained here. Shinn writes in the style of a preacher, quoting extensively from the King James Version of the Bible. In her colloquial manner, she discusses what is now called "attraction theory" and provides meditations on such goals as good health and a successful job interview, as well as meditations on prosperity, marriage, and faith. Best for Christian Bible study groups and self-help completists.

Believing doubt a needless barrier to success, licensed psychologists Sokol and Fox, both experts in cognitive therapy, show how to label uncertainties, question hesitations, rethink things, then take action. The authors deconstruct doubt and explain how to relax, determine if fear is valid, and, if not, overcome it. While there is no question that someone could get help reading this book alone, it would be most beneficial in a counseling situation.