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Magnusson’s wisdom combined with McElhone’s narration is an unbeatable combination. Recommend widely to listeners looking to embrace the aging process while enjoying every bit of goodness along the way.
PREMIUM
Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto
Hersey’s thoughtful championing of rest and resistance makes an impact. Pair with Shanita Hubbard’s Ride or Die and Mikki Kendall’s Hood Feminism.
Well-paired with other contemplative titles such as Katherine May’s Wintering and Casper ter Kuile’s The Power of Ritual, and an intriguing counterpoint to popular productivity-focused self-help titles such as James Clear’s Atomic Habits and Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism. An excellent, thoughtful, non-prescriptive treatise on a complicated idea.
A timely read and a great handbook for a growing societal group seeking to delay their physical decline.
This title demonstrates that the wellness industry differs from true well-being as much as spa treatments differ from Audre Lorde’s original idea of self-care for activists. A valuable addition to conversations about race, class, ableism, and diet culture.
The layout and photos in the print version are truly fabulous, but the audiobook is still a key purchase. This charismatic duo slays both on the page and in the recording booth.
PREMIUM
Glow in the F*cking Dark: Simple Practices To Heal Your Soul, from Someone Who Learned the Hard Way
Readers will easily connect with Schuster’s humor and vulnerability and cheer for her and for themselves in this lovely, introspective memoir and guide.
This book will appeal to fans of Pharaon’s Instagram page and those seeking a self-help guide to help them navigate family patterns and take control of their love lives.
Shetty’s many Instagram fans will be eager to get their hands on this book. Readers who aren’t familiar with the author will be drawn in by his experiences and wisdom and his easygoing, relatable approach to love in all of its forms.
By turns intimate and inspiring, this title will empower any woman who has ever doubted her worth or her words, giving her new ways to think about why and how she can put herself more boldly in the world.
PREMIUM
Will the Drama Ever End? Untangling and Healing from the Harmful Effects of Parental Narcissism
This book’s incisive look into family dynamics may interest those with and without narcissistic parents. Recommended for collections with a strong focus on family studies or self-help.
Though aimed at Black readers, other people of color (or those looking to better understand the Black experience in the U.S.) will benefit greatly from Clarke’s book. This is an essential and timely addition to a library’s self-help section.
Written in a highly engaging style, Walden’s book makes a good case that finding the lessons in even tragic events can lead to a happier and more fulfilled life. Best for general readership.
This should be on the nightstand of anyone who is interested in adding self-awareness rituals to their routine.
Readers will appreciate this pairing of the Dalai Lama’s wisdom with the talent of cartoonist McDonnell in their plea for peace for humans and our planet.
PREMIUM
Choose Joy: Relieve Burnout, Prioritize Your Happiness, and Infuse More Joy into Your Everyday Life
Cliff’s embracing book combines a supporting tone with practical steps that readers looking for more joy, or even just a framework to feel better, can embrace.
A highly readable volume that offers advice succinctly and honestly. Best for a general-interest audience.
A charming little book that could help soothe weary or anxious souls. Recommended for anyone looking to quiet their nighttime routines or enhance their mindfulness/meditative practices.
A practical, empowering toolkit for enhancing brain health, this book will benefit anyone interested in strategies for deepening engagement with their health and those looking for a structured way to begin.
While many books cover similar ground, this is a pleasant approach for the average person looking to make their mark. A good add-on to most collections, especially for entrepreneurial patrons.
Overall this is a valuable resource for any Austen lover to use for quick reference or to read through. Libraries whose works by the author circulate well or whose patrons enjoy titles like Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Gmorning, Gnight! Little Pep Talks for Me & You will find this a welcome addition to their collection.
Practical application of the concepts is missing from the book, and journaling opportunities or exercises at the end of each chapter would help readers incorporate Schafler’s tools into their lives. Even so, the writing is engaging, and the title will be eye-catching to library audiences.
PREMIUM
Creating Stillness: Mindful Art Practices and Stories for Navigating Anxiety, Stress, and Fear
Overall, this book seems aimed at readers for whom traditional meditation may not appeal, or who are looking for a more creative path to mindfulness.
PREMIUM
This Book Is a Safe Space: Cute Doodles and Therapy Strategies To Support Self-Love and Wellbeing
Tran asserts that what has been learned can be unlearned, forging new ways of being. This insightful book provides valuable paths to pursue in the search for mental wellbeing. For all public libraries.
Pears leads an intriguing life in the musical arts and spiritual team leadership. While the content is not particularly original, she pulls from experts whose works have guided her. The spiritual tone lightly infuses a reassuring message to help alleviate distress and create joy.
This book is inclusive of all types of grief and loss, making it an excellent resource for anyone needing information on this subject.
This is not a how-to-date volume but one exploring different viewpoints for consideration. Best suited for a general audience of a certain age.
A deeply moving volume with beautiful artwork and words to consider. Best for pastoral and grief counselors, as well as general readers.
Every library should get a copy. Readers, especially Lyons’s fans, will look forward to this witty, well-researched book.
Estoria (Write Bloody: Spill Pretty) is a gifted storyteller sharing loving, spirit-fueled messages of self-acceptance. With echoes of Iyanla Vanzant, this title is for all public libraries. Empowering and transformative, it reminds all individuals to give themselves permission to dance in their own lives.
PREMIUM
The Little Book of Self-Soothing: 150 Ways To Manage Emotions, Relieve Stress, and Restore Calm
Patrons seeking a ready reference for finding calm in a hectic world will appreciate the plethora of easily implemented suggestions in this little book.
This is an approachable overview of this notable study that can be understood and appreciated by many. Waldinger’s TED talk about this subject is in the top 10 of most-viewed talks, so expect interest.
While occasionally repetitive, and while it could benefit from additional voices, this book makes for a good start on the journey to calm.
The message of this book is something to be celebrated and will undoubtedly resonate with those who identify as asexual or know someone who does.
PREMIUM
I’m No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts: Mini-Meditations for Saints, Sinners, and the Rest of Us
While there is helpful and funny information here, especially thought-provoking quotes from everyone from Rumi to Brené Brown, the casual tone and writing style may not not be for everyone. That said, readers looking for a fast, fun read with helpful and biblical tidbits sprinkled throughout will enjoy this book.
Bartel’s debut is sure to appeal to animal lovers. Recommend to fans of Caitlin Doughty’s Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Mary Roach’s Stiff.
A primer that is also a deep dive, appropriate and inclusive for all persons at all levels of expertise, Wall’s book is a likely candidate to join the canon of must-read guides for the serious student of the tarot.
While some readers will appreciate the author’s no-nonsense approach, others may be turned off by references to casual sex and drug use. Readers will learn that surviving divorce is a process, but contentment is possible if one is willing to do the work to achieve it.
This book is an essential read for all those concerned with memory loss and should be a part of all collections in the behavioral and social sciences.
PREMIUM
Breathe In, Breathe Out: Restore Your Health, Reset Your Mind and Find Happiness Through Breathwork
This is a powerful resource and workbook designed for readers to practice with each breath.
Each beautiful chapter develops a topic drawn from Buddhist thought, followed by a section born from interviews with contemporary practitioners and activists, a mindfulness exercise, and a concluding set of reflective queries in the Quaker style. Perfect for those who want to progress on their spiritual journey.
A hopeful and easily accessible handbook written with clarity and authenticity, for those interested in exploring Buddhist teachings or simply hoping to improve the quality of their own lives and the lives of others.
This book is destined to become a classic and should be included in any behavioral and social sciences library.
Dunlap’s honesty serves as a powerful source of motivation to do the work, not just to secure financial autonomy but to break out of stereotypes that limit women’s potential in all aspects of their lives.
This book contains an extensive, useful works cited section, but there are so many personal and professional vignettes that, at times, it becomes a slight distraction. Still, libraries looking to build a self-help collection will benefit from including this title.
Since many public library readers are embarking on new life adventures in this COVID era, this title is recommended as a first purchase for all business collections. Academic library collections that support certified financial planner preparation can also benefit with this title.
This book is recommended for those interested in self-help, trauma responses, personal growth, and psychology.
Each chapter presents a refreshing and comforting pep talk, something to read on a difficult day or send to a friend in the midst of their own feelings of failure. It supplies helpful advice to de-escalate a spiral of negative feelings and find grounding. Recommended for general collections.
Numerous examples of sports figures, such as Terry Fox and others who have transformed their lives, are an inspiring read. Some may even want to become head coach of their own lives using Enright’s strategy.
Readers looking to enhance their life, or even take a complete U-turn, will appreciate Dr. B’s quick but effective weekly lessons.
Fans of Meik Wiking’s The Little Book of Hygge or the library’s self-help section could be enticed to pick up this book.
While this is an important topic, readers should be aware that the author writes from her personal experiences, or the personal experiences of acquaintances, rather than any formal education, training, or research. The book would have greatly benefited from a collated list of resources. An optional purchase.
A highly recommended book that is designed to strengthen readers’ activist muscles so that they can create more inclusive, accessible spaces for exercise, along with fewer metrics that immediately exclude certain bodies from social definitions of health.
Sociologist and psychotherapist Ellenhorn (How We Change) gently and tenderly challenges readers to view creative tendencies as art in order to feel alive inside, ultimately coming home to one’s own self. Highly recommended for all public libraries.
A final chapter that included a brief synopsis of all the exercises found in this book would have been helpful. Recommended for anyone needing techniques to pacify their inner critic.
This work contains a uniquely presented set of biographical records with quotes from the books cited, which could entice the curious to read those as well. This book is a great addition to public library collections.
While not a standout in a sea of similar soul-searching self-help, this could be useful for readers who are unaccustomed to or just sheepish about listening to their inner voice and following their heart.
Readers looking for a research-based approach to making their days happier will want to take a look.
Perhaps more useful for psychotherapy professionals than families without that expertise, this book provides a fascinating glimpse into how generational narratives shape lives and how editing these stories can benefit readers and their relatives.
Many self-help readers, especially fans of Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now and James Clear’s Atomic Habits, will likely want to implement Luger and Collins’s guidance into their own lives.,
PREMIUM
Overcoming Stress-Induced Brain Fog: 10 Simple Ways To Find Focus, Improve Memory, and Feel Grounded
This title is more about the issue of brain fog than solutions, but its numerous detailed examples are quite relatable.
Recommended for those who are looking for more joy and fun in their lives. A solid addition to any public library.
PREMIUM
Make Space for Happiness: How To Stop Attracting Clutter and Start Magnetizing the Life You Want
An empowering, accessible guide to decluttering for emotional fulfillment.
From start to finish, this book has great re-readability and a fun voice. Highly recommended for bibliophiles and those who want to break a little right-brain sweat.
While aimed at daughters of narcissistic mothers, Kriesberg’s practical advice is applicable to anyone dealing with challenging parents, not just narcissists. Readers who have already engaged in self-exploration may not learn as much, but this primer will serve as an excellent entry for those beginning to deal with the aftermath of growing up with a narcissistic mother.
While this advice is not new, it is a fun, often sassy reminder that no one is just a number. For all public libraries.
It’s doubtful that anyone had “Steve-O self-help book” on their pop culture bingo card. But (although he’s certainly no Brené Brown) Steve-O’s ability to be both vulnerable and funny works surprisingly well in this format.
An excellent choice for libraries with patrons interested in social sciences. The tips to help overcome regret add a self-help component, which will attract an even wider audience.
PREMIUM
Conversations with People Who Hate Me: 12 Things I Learned from Talking to Internet Strangers
Listeners of the titular podcast will provide built-in demand for this author-narrated account of its origins and notable moments. Buy where fan interest warrants.
From a pair of marriage and family therapists, this book is a good choice for readers seeking self-help that balances memoir and relationship guidance.
Although not without its problems, this title is nevertheless a promising nonfiction selection, with cross-appeal factors for self-help, beauty, spirituality, and journaling.
For readers interested in complementary medicine, adherents of Ayurvedic medicine, and anyone who enjoys trying self-improvement through personality typing.
Written in non-preachy, folksy, authentic manner, Golliher’s self-help book has the potential to inspire and transform anyone who reads it.
In this optional purchase, the author implements a mélange of different techniques and practices without a consistent theme.
Offering a wealth of ideas and strategies for making mornings “magic,” this title is highly recommended for personal purchase and public libraries.
Berg’s upbeat tone and heartfelt advice are likely to help anyone trying to overcome negative life experiences.
Few readers will identify with Shaw’s high-powered lifestyle of international travel and boutique hotels, but her advice on handling conflicts is sound. Other books on the subject such as The Fabric of Friendship and The Art of Friendship might be more helpful to general readers.
Young adults will connect with the “coach” instructions and helpful guidelines for planning their lives. Other readers will gain respect for the world of cheering.
This “what would David Bowie do” treatise could be an entry point into Buddhism for novices, but it might be too basic for readers already familiar with Buddhism’s tenets.
Encouraging and full of common-sense advice, Fairchild’s book will help readers trying to fulfill their true potential. Even those who aren’t pursuing ballet will find it helpful.
Benjamin’s humorous tone makes the dark subject matter more palatable; her book pairs well with Caitlin Doughty’s Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory. Given the popularity of the “death-positive” movement, this title is recommended for any library’s nonfiction collection, especially where “Death Cafe” programming is offered.
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