I'm reading, I'm learning and I'm enjoying it. Pick two?

August 4, 2008 3:56 PM

I'm looking for recommendations for guide/how to/self help books that have a casual, up-beat style without compromising the authority of the text. Do you have any?

It seems most of the "I'll tell you how" books that I read are either authoritative, but dry as dust or have so much personality that it undermines what they are trying to say, either by being so casual or clever that you can't take them seriously, or so in love with the subject that they seem hopelessly biased.

So what books have you read in the self help/guidebook/how to genres are both authoritative and a joy to read?

Taking recommendations on any topic. If I can get a good read from a subject I'm not even interested in, that's exactly the kind of book I'm looking for.

posted by Ookseer to writing & language (7 comments total)

The Complete Joy of Homebrewing by Charlie Papazian (amazon link).
posted by jclovebrew at 4:17 PM on August 4, 2008

Whoops. (corrected amazon link)
posted by jclovebrew at 4:31 PM on August 4, 2008

I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence, by Amy Sedaris (google books)

Swell: A Girl's Guide to the Good life (amazon)
posted by acidic at 4:38 PM on August 4, 2008

When I read Sit down and Shut Up, I described it as "a casual, up-beat style without compromising the authority of the text" so I would have to recommend that for you. It seems a little schtick-ey because the author frequently discusses his punk-rock past, and the blurbs on the Amazon page especially make it seem so, but I found it well rounded and well written.

Another book about Buddhism with a less schtick but similarly straightforward but pleasant tone would be Buddha by Karen Armstrong which is more of the historical aspects of Buddhism's beginnings.
posted by amethysts at 4:40 PM on August 4, 2008

Well, he's not everyone's cup of tea, and maybe a bit mainstream, but I think Jack Canfield's "The Success Principles" is pretty readable. He combines authority, humour and insight, so he might fit your bill.
posted by the-happy-manager at 5:33 PM on August 4, 2008

Sorry, forgot the link. First day on MeFi so still getting the hang of things! The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
posted by the-happy-manager at 5:41 PM on August 4, 2008

Anything by Peter McWilliams. All his books are free. :)
posted by Solomon at 1:48 AM on August 5, 2008