Isn't "self-help books" an oxymoron? Or at least a misnomer? The books aren't helping themselves.

A real self-help book would be one that instructs you to go out and buy a climate-controlled display case for storing the book.

 

One in every crowd.

 

I try to have them read to me whenever possible.

 

I haven't read any lately but I sure was about a year and a half ago. They were for me, going through a divorce, and then having my heart broken a couple times by making poor choices in guys. I usually have to learn the hard way. The books did help me, alot. One was recommended by an S2ki Vintage friend, here. A different one I had, I passed on to another Vintage S2ki friend. I kept one of them and will look at it again sometime. It's called something like, "Don't You Dare Get Married Until You Read This Book." It's just got some good discussion questions for couples.

When my kids were young, I bought, and still have, the series of books based on a child's age, "Your ____ Year Old." I found them very helpful then, and kept them all so when/if I ever have grandkids, I can look at them again. I had no idea how kids are and what is normal kid behavior so they helped me a lot to understand my kids and not rip their heads off.

 

I knew you'd be a "yes". Everyone on that other coast reads self help books.

 

I read all the time, but only non-fiction. A day without reading and learning something is like a day without sunshine. I've bought a lot of self-help books at Goodwill - then donate them back again.

 

I have a ton of them. I find them extremely helpful. Anything that opens my eyes and gives me the gift of awareness is worth it to me. I find self discovery very satisfying.

 

We should start a thread about east coast vs. west coast. Or maybe, not.

 

So did I when I was about 8 years old.