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

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

Ookseer — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:56:56 -0800

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.

By: jclovebrew

jclovebrew — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:17:07 -0800

The Complete Joy of Homebrewing by Charlie Papazian (amazon link).

By: jclovebrew

jclovebrew — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:31:19 -0800

Whoops. (corrected amazon link)

By: acidic

acidic — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:38:44 -0800

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

Swell: A Girl's Guide to the Good life (amazon)

By: amethysts

amethysts — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:40:31 -0800

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.

By: the-happy-manager

the-happy-manager — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:33:06 -0800

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.

By: the-happy-manager

the-happy-manager — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:41:51 -0800

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

By: Solomon

Solomon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:48:23 -0800

Anything by Peter McWilliams. All his books are free. :)