Self Help Books You Can Read Without Embarrassment (PHOTOS)

From Flavorpill:

By Kathleen Massara

Janet Jackson just released True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself, and although we wouldn't necessarily be embarrassed to read this on our way to work (hey, the woman has been through some tough times), we think that there are some other options also worth considering. The self-help genre can be a difficult one to defend, though, so we're offering an assortment of edifying books that probably will elicit curiosity or interest from passersby, rather than self-satisfied notes of disapproval as you page through a worn copy of Sexy Forever.

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"Moonwalking with Einstein" by Joshua Foer

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As Foer writes in the New York Times, "If something is going to be made memorable, it has to be dwelled upon, repeated." Five years ago, he won the "speed cards" event in the US Memory Championship by memorizing a full deck of cards in under two minutes. Now, Foer explains how to recall names, events, and other important information through age-old memory tricks.

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As Foer writes in the New York Times, "If something is going to be made memorable, it has to be dwelled upon, repeated." Five years ago, he won the "speed cards" event in the US Memory Championship by memorizing a full deck of cards in under two minutes. Now, Foer explains how to recall names, events, and other important information through age-old memory tricks.

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This Book

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

I'd be embarrassed to get caught reading this Great book!

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Comments

[LooseCaboose]

09:49 AM on 03/15/2011

17.6 million people, about in in every twelve adults in America abuse alcohol to the point of Alcoholism. That affliction, as well as many other compulsive obsessive disorders open the arena of self-help perhaps most pressing.
One method for initiating awareness, understanding and a potentially spiritual solution can be found in the new self-published book: following-up on your interest in "Living the 12 Steps of Recovery." Here's the link when you're ready to order: http://www.livingtwelvestepsrecovery.com/buy.html
Best,....Arthur

[DebtNavigation]

11:01 PM on 03/10/2011

Debt Hope: Down and Dirty Survival Strategies. Embarrassing, but it beats the alternative.

[Nicholas Rowley]

01:58 PM on 03/10/2011

Nope, I'd be embarrassed to be found reading all of those.

[Glory 66]

06:16 AM on 03/10/2011

I should only like to give my opinion in general on all Self help books;there are ones to offer a nice packed journey with wise messages to follow in life,and the second category refer to more practical issues,such as how to eat healthy,how to live healthy,or book like medicinal herbs.
My thinking goes even further,i regard every book/good,although it is hardly to say there is a bad book,because i never wish to insult them/to be self helping in some way,while enjoying in reading and characters you meet inevitably make you feel much better and to recognize some life truths.

[P51MUSTANG]

07:11 PM on 03/09/2011

How about "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance."

If you can boldly enter into the Church of Reason, and grok Quality, your journey will be smooth.

[wm1066]

12:23 PM on 03/09/2011

I still think that one of the best 'self help' books is "You Are Not the Target" by Laura Huxley, and this book came out in 1963. Her idea that someones bad attitude that is being directed at you isn't your fault, and how to handle it, helped me throughout these many years.

[kaypo]

07:08 PM on 03/08/2011

Would you read a book that provide information to prevent chronic diseases including CANCER and to LIVE LONG DISEASE FREE? check http://www.yourhealthisyourresponsibility.com

[KalNJ]

10:55 AM on 03/08/2011

I just read Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer (my thoughts on it: http://manoflabook.com/wp/?p=1234) and while I did like the book I think categorizing it as "self help" is a bit of a stretch.

[FPhoebe]

08:20 PM on 03/08/2011

Do you think it has helped with memorization? I need some help in that area of my life...

[KalNJ]

02:27 PM on 03/10/2011

One of the techniques described in the book called "memory palace" worked for my wife and I to memorize lists and there are a variety of techniques described.

[maatpublish]

09:32 AM on 03/08/2011

Number 8, "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho is one of my favourites. I have read it several time and do confess I have the audio version of it, too. With it being read by Jeremy Irons, how can you go wrong?!

[Annieke]

08:01 AM on 03/08/2011

A book that really helped me was 'Feel the fear and do it anyway' by Susan Jeffries.

[JDM73]

12:17 AM on 03/08/2011

The ultimate self-help book, of course, is Schopenhauer's "The World As Will and Representation". He helps you help yourself to arrive at the understanding that money, sex, Twinkies and eternal contentment aren't waiting for you in a sweet, gooshy pile at the end of the tunnel.

[blessedfrog]

10:03 PM on 03/07/2011

What an intriguing group of books. - definately on my list

[Aelfgifu]

06:24 PM on 03/07/2011

The Alchemist is a nice story, but not a self-help book. I hope no one thinks it's real and takes its message to heart. The universe is not a sentient being.

[rkg]

11:57 PM on 03/07/2011

Last I heard there wasn't proof either way.

[Aelfgifu]

06:09 AM on 03/08/2011

Last I heard, there was. Laws of physics, you know?

[ChrisRoberts]

06:02 PM on 03/07/2011

If you don't read self-help books you won't be embarrassed. Conversely, if you need to read self-help books you should be embarrassed.

[eric14]

07:37 PM on 03/07/2011

Your comment helped me. Then I felt embarrassed.

[ChrisRoberts]

04:43 PM on 03/08/2011

I know Grashopper, I know.

[P51MUSTANG]

07:08 PM on 03/09/2011

All the self-help you will ever need can be taken from this brief tale:

The Buddha visits New York City and orders a hot dog from a stand.

"Make me one with everything" the Buddha requests, handing the vendor $10

The vendor gives the Buddha a fully loaded dog.

"What about my change asks the Buddha?"

"Change must come from within," replies the enlightened vendor.

[Robin Gillette]

04:51 PM on 03/07/2011

A wonderful book that not only challenges your view on life, but how you then will interact with everyone in your world. "The Four Agreements" potentially can change your life.