What single book is the best introduction to your field (or specialization within your field) for laypeople? [more inside]
posted by limon at 5:40 PM Sep 08 2007 - 237 answers [1759 favorites]

What in life did it take you a surprisingly long time to realize you've been doing wrong all along? [more inside]
posted by colinmarshall at 1:58 PM Jul 06 2010 - 933 answers [1132 favorites]

What clever relationship "hacks" have you come up with? I'm looking to build up my mental catalogue of examples of non-obvious solutions to relationship difficulties. Help me think out of the box better in the future! [more inside]
posted by wyzewoman at 10:48 AM Nov 03 2009 - 59 answers [1009 favorites]

Life-altering experiences. Can you point to a single experience in your life, as a child, which you can define as having contributed to the person you are today? (+) [more inside]
posted by jeremias at 4:41 AM Feb 02 2005 - 215 answers [856 favorites]

What cooking secrets take your food to the almost-pro level? [more inside]
posted by chalbe at 8:34 AM Aug 24 2009 - 135 answers [830 favorites]

Can you suggest some replacements for standard, everyday household items that are far superior in terms of usefulness, luxuriousness and quality? [more inside]
posted by Balonious Assault at 9:03 PM Dec 02 2008 - 100 answers [747 favorites]

A Russian friend of mine may be in a dangerous situation in Washington, DC. [more inside]
posted by fake at 3:09 PM May 19 2010 - 243 answers [732 favorites]

What one book could pretty much give me a new, useful superpower if I follow it and put the methods inside into practice? In my life, I've come across a small handful of books that have really allowed me to learn to do some things that were previously unthinkable to me, and which I'm able to use all the time in my life. I'm most interested in a book that has actually worked to change your life, rather than one that seems like it would be good if you one day got around to following it. Thanks.
posted by surenoproblem at 7:54 AM Sep 12 2012 - 77 answers [610 favorites]

What are some comprehensive one-topic websites maintained by cranky old guys (or gals)? [more inside]
posted by theodolite at 12:12 PM Sep 07 2010 - 121 answers [582 favorites]

What do I need to do in daily life that I don't realize I need to be doing? [more inside]
posted by phoenixy at 8:46 AM Feb 21 2007 - 58 answers [576 favorites]

My son is graduating from high school in a week. I want to make him a Best of Ask Metafilter book with all the best advice from the hive mind. [more inside]
posted by katyjack at 5:21 PM May 17 2009 - 21 answers [537 favorites]

I'm looking for examples of insanely overbuilt, reasonably-priced consumer goods: "Cheap, bombproof...XXXXX" [more inside]
posted by oalocke at 9:27 AM Jan 13 2008 - 96 answers [516 favorites]

Please tell me a book you think everyone should read and why. [more inside]
posted by pasici at 9:48 PM Jul 20 2006 - 134 answers [505 favorites]

What are some of your absolute favourite online essays, articles and other pieces of non-fiction writing? [more inside]
posted by turgid dahlia at 4:21 PM May 01 2008 - 54 answers [443 favorites]

What $10-$20 item improved your lifestyle? [more inside]
posted by HeyAllie at 10:12 AM Dec 01 2009 - 85 answers [432 favorites]

What are some cheap (less than $10) but satisfying luxuries? [more inside]
posted by theodolite at 11:48 AM Mar 21 2011 - 109 answers [406 favorites]

What podcasts will make me more intelligent just by listening to them? I enjoy the BBC's "In Our Time", which features serious discussion of historical events and people by academics working in the field, and also quirky, thought-provoking programs like WNYC's "Radio Lab" and "This American Life". I'm not so keen on some of the podcasts I typically get from newspapers that gloss over the surface of a subject with little analysis. What other highbrow podcasts are made by people who really know their shit?
posted by nowonmai at 9:01 AM Nov 20 2007 - 59 answers [399 favorites]

What things would you would never consider paying money for, once you learned how easy it was to do/make/fix yourself? [more inside]
posted by benzenedream at 2:48 AM Nov 04 2010 - 102 answers [396 favorites]

What are the best minimal (2-6) ingredient recipes you have? [more inside]
posted by flibbertigibbet at 7:56 PM Oct 27 2007 - 66 answers [391 favorites]

I want a badass skill. I want to know how to do something that people will see and think "wow, that is badass." [more inside]
posted by Autarky at 8:36 PM Jun 29 2009 - 108 answers [388 favorites]