Self-Help Book Suggestions

April 8, 2016 11:23 AM

I'm looking for a good self-help book that deals with one or more of the following:

1. How to socialize, how to hold a conversation, how to connect with others
2. Being courageous, moving outside your comfort zone
3. Making big changes in your life
4. "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become." ~Steve Jobs

It'd be cool if there were one book that encompasses all this, but if not, any suggestions for really great books that touch on any of these subjects would be stellar.

posted by Sassyfras to Writing & Language (7 answers total)

Two books come to my mind: Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck, and Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown. Both are on Amazon for under $10 for the paperback (and were available at my library).
posted by shortyJBot at 11:34 AM on April 8, 2016 [2 favorites]

This guy is a bit cheesy, but I always recommend the complete works of Paul McKenna for confidence and getting on with your life. Works for me.
posted by colie at 11:38 AM on April 8, 2016

Most of Cheri Huber's books deal with your points 2-4 (not so much point 1). The Fear Book: Facing Fear Once and for All looks at fear and getting out of one's comfort zone from a Buddhist, mindfulness-oriented perspective. There's also When You're Falling, Dive: Acceptance, Freedom and Possibility and How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.
posted by Lexica at 1:43 PM on April 8, 2016 [1 favorite]

For getting to know people and making connections...the book with the world's worst title...How to Marry the Man of your Choice. It opened my eyes about how people form bonds and how to really figure out if the person I'm speaking to is one of my tribe.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 2:05 PM on April 8, 2016 [2 favorites]

Okay, so, like Ruthless Bunny's suggestion, this title comes totally out of left field, but for #1, The Asperkid's Secret Book of Social Rules helped me more than anything aimed at neurotypical adults. Some of the very kid-specific stuff is skippable but the author breaks down social interactions and communication in a handy way. YMMV, of course.

I also second Martha Beck and Brene Brown for #2-4. As self-help books go, those are fantastic.
posted by thetortoise at 3:03 PM on April 8, 2016 [2 favorites]

When Things Fall Apart, by Pema Chodron
posted by jtexman1 at 6:03 AM on April 9, 2016 [1 favorite]

Here's my truth, it's all in your head — all about your thoughts.

Agreed? OK, then go straight to Byron Katie. Perhaps one of her best books is Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life. If you want to check her out before purchasing, head to YouTube and you'll find tons of videos with her, about her, and herself doing her work.
posted by lometogo at 1:49 AM on May 10, 2016