Self-Help / Relationships
The Big Power of Tiny Connections: How Small Interactions Spark Awesome Outcomes
by Jen NashRating: 8.75
Idea: In a time of social divisions, inclusiveness, and lockdowns, Jen Nash has written an excellent guide to getting out there and building connections, no matter how minute. The art of talking to strangers is something that has fallen off in the digital age, and Nash has brought it back full force.
Prose: Written like a conversation with someone you just met, Nash talks the talk and walks the walk. She is concise, fun, and interesting - and also is able to get her point across through easily digested bullets. It is this modeling of this type of communication that makes this book an excellent resource.
Originality: Although self-help books on developing and maintaining relationships are common, it is more unique to come across one that encourages communication between those that you barely know and may never see again. This book does just that, and does it effectively.
Character/Execution: Organized in an intuitive fashion, the work provides gratifying and illuminating instruction.
I'm Right Here: 10 Ways to Get Help for Hoarding and Chronic Disorganization
by Jill B. YeskoRating: 8.50
Plot/Idea: Certified Professional Organizer Yesko has gathered strategies for getting organized from her own experience and that of ten of her colleagues. The methods presented here are intended to help adults with ADHD, chronic disorganization, and the most difficult to treat of all, hoarding disorder, as well as their family and temporary or long-term caregivers. Yesko explains how she got started as a professional organizer (PO) and describes step-by-step how professional organizers work with clients, which makes it clear how this approach differs from the resources available for people who are capable of reading a book or watching a video and organizing themselves. Other methods include working with a professional organizing team, working with a PO with expertise in brain-based disorders that lead to chaotic living environments; virtual organizing coaching, classes, and support groups.
Prose: The book is written in easily understood prose that is both detailed and clear.
Originality: I’m Right Here is a solid introduction to a little-known group of professionals. The author presents several methods and the steps each kind of professional might take in the course of working with a client, making this a practically-minded and informative text.
Character Development/Execution: This book will give the very disorganized person a good overview of the paid services that are available to them, as well as a bibliography and resource list. It will be equally helpful to those family members, therapists, friends, and doctors who are looking for way to help a loved one or a patient.
Plot/Idea: Neil Sahin is a busy man who wears a lot of hats—software engineer, actor, author, to name just a few. In these 29 chapters he presents a series of life hacks that will help people achieve their goals, such as: taking action to make one's dreams come true; creating to-do lists to provide a sense of accomplishment; getting seven hours of sleep a night; taking responsibility for one's actions and their consequences; and getting out of one's comfort zone. These hacks place a very strong emphasis on productivity, money, and time management.
Prose: The prose is clear, to-the-point, and easy to scan, as if the author did in fact write this book while keeping his time management hacks in mind for both himself and the reader.
Originality: This book’s originality comes in the way Sahin presents his ideas—directly and succinctly. There are no long explanations or analyses of the academic literature, although the author does cite numerous books on related topics written for a lay audience. It’s a quick and easy read that presents the reader with a lot of very good, if oft-repeated in the lay literature, ideas to improve their lives.
Character Development/Execution: While this book has many useful ideas with broad appeal, it might benefit from exploring hacks and advice for audience members of more diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Plot: Sanders frees the flow of creativity through a variety of exercises, including making lists, drawing, and careful consideration of ideas. Breaking down the process of creativity, Sanders provides a blueprint for meaningful exploration and fulfillment.
Prose/Style: Sanders’s writing is supercharged with energy and enthusiasm.
Originality: Breaking down the process with a variety of exercises allows the reader to approach the ideas from his/her learning style whether the reader likes to draw, make lists, or create diagrams.
Character Development/Execution: Divided into sections and chapters, the writer personalizes the topic for the reader. Including a table of contents is key to the success of the book, as the reader can quickly see the progression of the topic that the author is attempting to convey. The end of the book allows the reader to join social media platforms to continue the journey.
Dear Little Ones (Book 1): Hope, Help, and Healing for Your Inner Children
by Jade MillerRating: 7.75
Plot: This illustrated self-help book from Miller is simple and sweet. The messages are clear and concise, which fulfils its purpose, since it is intended to appeal to the inner-child of trauma and abuse survivors. Miller has taken her own experiences of overcoming trauma and has developed a series of books to support others like herself, and this is the most recent in the series. The reader, if familiar with childhood trauma, will likely find this quick read helpful, calming, and empowering.
Prose/Style: The book has intentionally straightforward verbiage. Occasionally the reader may feel that it is overly pandering to an audience that self-identifies (at least partially) as children, but this is also the intended readership. This will also likely give solace to readers who have strong attachments to their inner children.
Originality: The uncomplicated, childlike tone, accompanied with the reassuring illustrations make for a unique book that addresses an often overlooked phenomenon. Miller has presented a specific audience with a helpful tool that will likely calm worries in distraught minds.
Character Development/Execution: Miller has put together an effective book that can be used in specific circumstances to heal painful minds. The pictures are pleasant, and the text is clear and comforting.
Idea: Cover to Cover provides a thorough exploration of how to publish a first book. Wendel addresses common errors and guides writers through the many steps it takes to not only publish a book, but to find readers. She also emphasizes the importance of hiring professional editors to prepare a manuscript for submission and/or publication.
Prose: Wendel writes clearly and warmly, while providing ample information for writers.
Originality: Guides to self-publishing aren't uncommon, but Wendel does an admirable job of providing candid, accurate material that turns a potentially overwhelming process into actionable steps.
Character/Execution: Effectively formatted and highly readable, Cover to Cover acts as a friend and mentor to writers who are eager to publish a first book.
Plot/Idea: The author’s uplifting guide is finely organized, and allows the reader to interact with the topics easily and organically, while the storytelling elements tie into each chapter smoothly.
Prose: Penny's voice is clear and helpful in terms of conveying each chapter’s purpose and meaning. The topics are easily accessible to a wide audience.
Originality: The author’s approach to living a more positive and fulfilling lifestyle is helpful and reassuring, but the work doesn't stand out significantly from other guides of a similar nature.
Character Development/Execution: This guide is not only relatable, it is also well written and informative. The author smoothly integrates personal stories and anecdotes into each chapter to provide a useful and inspiring blueprint for reclaiming joy and purpose.
Plot/Idea: Whittlesey offers a wealth of information for aspiring Coast Guard cadets and their families, though the fact that the author is the parent of a student and not actually affiliated with the academy may make it difficult for some readers to relate.
Prose: The prose is straightforward and clear, appropriate for a guide for prospective students.
Originality: This guide is thorough in content. Its candid, cogent approach to the topic will be valued by prospective students.
Character Development/Execution: While its appeal will be limited to a niche audience, this is a comprehensive guide to the Coast Guard Academy. Whittlesey offers answers to many questions prospective students may have, but also might be too afraid to ask.
Plot: Kurapati’s guide is well-organized, with clearly arranged constructs that support the central theme. Some of the information comes across as fairly basic for professional readers, although its simplicity reinforces the work’s structure.
Prose/Style: Kurapati’s prose is clear and concise, mirroring the guide’s methodical layout. The writing is dynamic in all the right places, elevating some of the more fundamental ideas.
Originality: Burnout in Healthcare covers the expected bases but does not expand enough on the essentials to cultivate added knowledge.
Character Development/Execution: Burnout in Healthcare is persuasive, with plenty of straightforward material and collateral information to shore up its advice. Kurapati successfully accomplishes the work’s overarching goal with minimal distraction.
Plot/Idea: Toguchi presents a solid core concept, offering a structured overview on how to achieve his stated goals. He routinely revisits his idea and works to keep readers’ focus centralized.
Prose: Toguchi’s prose is a mixed bag. At times he writes in a crisply professional manner, while at others he uses repetitive and awkward phrasing that distracts from the reading experience.
Originality: The author delivers some simplified proposals that add ingenuity to his overall theme. However, much of his material repeats well-known guidance in the field.
Character Development/Execution: Toguchi clearly organizes his actionable steps into a format that will be easily recognizable by readers. His recommendations are in direct line with his work’s concepts, and he sticks to straightforward and concrete guidance.
Plot/Idea: Blankenship resolved to write Self-Help Sucks after suffering through other unproductive self-help texts. The book is based on the first six-step version of the twelve-step program and focuses on stopping harmful addictive behaviors. It highlights the importance of trusting a Higher Power and asking others for help.
Prose: Blankenship expresses frustration with rambling self-help books, and Self-Help Sucks definitely lives up to this promise to be more concise. The prose is clear-cut and easily graspable, especially when it comes to explaining exercises. While overall the writing style may not leave a significant impression on readers, the author effectively conveys his perspectives and ideas.
Originality: Self-Help Sucks is novel in its use of the original six steps, as opposed to the more commonly known twelve, but there are certainly similar books that use a version of the twelve steps as a jumping-off point. Ultimately, this work doesn't stray quite far enough from the traditional self-help manuals it critiques.
Character Development/Execution: Blankenship presents himself as a reliable author by honestly depicting his own struggles with traditional self-help guides, as well as including the stories and testimonials of others. The book's combination of linearly proceeding through the six steps alongside well-explained exercises makes for a well-executed text.
Idea: This memoir about dealing with the aftermath of a relationship with a narcissist is compelling, but it would benefit from a more streamlined organization. It also acts as an informative guide for others faced with the same challenges.
Prose: The writing style is lyrical and engaging, but the switch between the first and second person is confusing at times. There is also a nonlinear structure that creates an uneven timeline of events.
Originality: The unique writing style and harrowing personal details make this a uniquely riveting book. While it has some confusing moments, it provides valuable insight and advice.
Character/Execution: This book, even though it has some muddled moments, is a remarkable tale of perseverance and overcoming adversity that will inspire any reader.
The Change Journey: A self-awareness guide for women who are thinking "how on earth did i end up here?"
by Nikki LaneRating: 6.00
Idea: Lane proposes an interesting theme, although much of the guide’s purpose is fairly conventional. Readers will find that the concepts mature as the material progresses, with a more sound paradigm emerging towards the end.
Prose/Style: Lane’s informal prose supports the work’s vision. She writes conversationally to her readers, with some awkward text that fortunately does not detract significantly overall.
Originality: The Change Journey promotes well-known self-help ideology in a distinctive way. Lane’s consistent use of metaphors increases this work’s creativity levels considerably.
Character Development/Execution: Lane accomplishes her stated goals but goes beyond these in much of the writing. Readers may find it difficult to focus at times, given the abundance of information, but the bulk of the guide follows Lane’s overarching premise.
Plot/Idea: Anderson has written a book that is intended to help people "live the good life," but instead of presenting the material through a vague self-help lens, he instead employs a more mathematical approach. The book offers a novel concept, but the execution can be very confusing at times. The layout of the book can make it unclear for the reader where one section and/or idea ends and another begins.
Prose: The prose is somewhat verbose and can feel circular and confusing at times.
Originality: Anderson's idea to develop a self-help book based on more engineering and mathematical principles than New Age ones is novel and interesting, but the result is uneven in its execution.
Character Development/Execution: This book can be difficult to navigate, causing the reader to lose the often rich lessons imbedded in the text. The substance of the book is valuable and intriguing; a degree of restructuring and editing of content, would allow this work to be substantially more accessible to readers.
