The best self-help books to read this year

Make 2017 happy, healthy and successful with the best self-help books to read this year.

Maybe your new year’s resolutions are well underway; maybe, like us, they’re not. With all the pressures and build-up of the new year, turning over a new leaf can feel harder than ever before. Whether you’re teetering on the edge of your new year wagon, or simply need some motivation to keep your 2017 going strong, self-help books can be a great place to start. Here is our top picks.

How To Be A Person In The World: Ask Polly’s Guide Through the Paradoxes of Modern Life by Heather Havrilesky

Author of popular advice column Ask Polly, Heather Havrilesky continues to shine a light on regular people and their regular problems, in turn guiding us through the ‘what if’s’ and ‘I don’t knows’ of regular modern life. The collection of letters include some new and some republished, and range from work troubles to marriage woes. Heather’s comforting words of wisdom combined with the knowledge that each letter is often universal make this book a modern-day must-have.

£20.31, Doubleday Books

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The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson
Self-help books may have garnered a rather sickly-sweet, oh-so-positive, happy-clappy air about them, but making a change doesn’t always have to feel twee. Rather than encouraging us to be positive all day, every day, no-nonsense Mark Manson offers a rather different approach in his bestselling, straight-talking book. Mark poses that it’s actually all about coming to accept your weaknesses and failures that will make you successful and, ultimately, a lot happier. If it’s the tough-love approach you need (with a side order of sarcasm and wit), this is well and truly it.

£16.99, HarperOne

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Start With Your Sock Drawer by Vicky Silverthorn

You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘a cluttered life means a cluttered mind’, but what if you struggle implementing the change? Whether it’s the unworn clothes in your wardrobe, the drawers stashed with miscellaneous items you swear will come in use one day but never have, or the cupboards heaving with sentimental but completely unnecessary items, clutter is completely detrimental to an organised life. But don’t fear: professional organiser Vicky Silverthorn is here to help and will set you on your path to dismantling that oh-so-overwhelming clutter mountain. Her first trick? Start with the sock drawer.

£12.99, Sphere

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Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine by Derren Brown
It’s the million dollar question on everyone’s lips: how to be happy? While many have tried to find the answer, none have done so quite as well as magician-cum-philosopher Derren Brown. Despite what you might expect, Derren departs from his mystical roots and instead looks at the ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism and how it can be implemented in one’s life to reach the seemingly elusive goal of happiness. Prompted by the breakdown of a relationship and three years in the making, this book is a must for those who wish to be content.

£20, Bantam Press

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Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers
It’s a classic – and for good reason. It provides concrete techniques to deal with the crippling feeling of fear, all under the assuring guide of Dr Susan Jeffers. Learn how to stop negative thinking patterns, how to re-educate your mind to think more positively, how to risk a little every day and how to turn each decision into a ‘no-lose’ situation – but above all, how to no longer be scared of your fear but embrace it. Whatever your fear, Dr Jeffers will somehow make you feel inspired and ready to finally take control of it. What are you waiting for?

£12.99, Vermilion

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