Sometimes, well, maybe more than just sometimes, we’re our own worst enemy. On the ever-winding road to finding happiness or love or fulfillment, it’s often self-criticism, bad habits and insecurities that we trip over. We just can’t seem to get out of our own way, can we? They say admitting you have a problem is the first step in recovery, and so, reaching for a self-help guide seems like a logical next move. If you’re anything like me, straight-up sincerity doesn’t go down so smoothly, but humor, as turns out, is a pretty good chaser.
These guides serve their wisdom with a heaping spoonful of wit. Whether or not you agree that laughter itself is the best medicine, it’s hard to deny that it helps the actual medicine go down easier. So, go forth, recognize self-sabotage, conquer your fears and find your personal happily ever after, whatever that entails. I promise, these books make the process quite pleasant.
Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies by Tara Schuster | Dial Press
If you’re the sort of person who finds the usual, run-of-the-mill self-help guides unrelatable, this may be the one for you. Accomplished entertainment executive Tara Schuster, who has worked for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and served as the Vice President of Talent and Development at Comedy Central, delivers a cuttingly candid and hilarious look about the hard-won lessons on the road to self-love. After shedding her own perfectly crafted veneer, the false image of mastered adulthood, seeking instead something of genuine substance, she utterly transformed her mind, body and relationships.
Sharing her simple, daily rituals with readers, Schuster helps them identify the self-limiting beliefs they hold and toss them, ward off self-criticism and create a life they actually love. An addictively readable and practical guide to growing up, Chelsea Handler says Schuster’s book is “compelling, persuasive, and useful no matter where you are in your life.” Plus, its particular brand of self-love education may just get through to those who feel even the slightest bit nauseated by all the cheese served up in other books.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
I’m Judging You by Luvvie Ajayi | Henry Holt & Co.
In her ambitious collection of essays, activist, culture critic and veteran blogger Luvvie Ajayi of AwesomelyLuvvie.com delivers a wry social commentary in the form of a modern manners guide. The topics covered in this “Do-Better Manual” range from the highly relatable (sucking at being a person) to the heavy but highly important (racism and rape culture) to the ridiculous landscape of social media (hashtags and internet drama) and more. It’s a balanced combination of enlightening and entertaining that’ll help spark “important and meaty discussions about all the topics your mama told you never to bring up at polite dinner parties,” notes NYT bestselling author Jenny Lawson.
Humorous, hard-hitting and humane, Ajayi thoroughly tackles the uncomfortable but essential conversations we all should be having. “This truth-riot of a book gives us everything from hilarious lectures on the bad behavior all around us to the razor-sharp essays on media and culture,” says executive producer of Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes. “With I’m Judging You, Luvvie brilliantly puts the world on notice that she is not here for your foolishness — or mine.”
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
Almost Happy by Dr. Brian Kaplan and Hephzibah Kaplan | Loba Publishing
This comedy-loving duo of health care professionals knows exactly what buttons to push to get you to laugh! Brian and Hephzibah Kaplan, a London-based husband and wife team with extensive psychology CVs and bit of show business experience to boot, approach personal difficulties with Provocative Therapy, aiming to help the public snap out of whatever ails their psyches with reverse psychology, humor, parody, satire and improvisation. “If you are prepared to see the funny side of how you may be sabotaging your life … We hope the provocative suggestions may elicit a wake-up call or perhaps jolt you into realizing change is easier than you think.”
Almost Happy won’t just tickle your funny bone, it’ll tickle your preconceived notions about therapy. The book showcases over 100 illustrations of buttons that feature catchy phrases that help readers recognize their problems across a number of areas: bad habits, relationships, health, work, money and identity. “Each button is a succinct and hilarious insight into this thing we call life,” says Neil Mullarkey, founder of the London Comedy Store Players. “I could not stop turning the next page, eager to spot myself, my friends and family in the tiny capsules of wisdom in this witty book.” (Our review.)
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
Overthinking About You by Allison Raskin | Workman
NYT bestselling author, screenwriter, co-host of the popular podcast Just Between Us and mental health advocate Allison Raskin combines her vast personal and professional expertise to bring sound, heartfelt advice on romance and dating to those living with mental illness. Dating is difficult even in the best of circumstances, but “Navigating Romantic Relationships When You Have Anxiety, OCD, and/or Depression,” as the book’s subtitle notes, can turn up the dial on this daunting pursuit.
Romance-seekers can learn a lot from Raskin, who has personally dealt with all the aforementioned mental illnesses, as she opens up about her own dating mishaps, but they’ll also gain insight from the mental health professionals, relationship experts and real-life couples she interviews throughout the course of the book. Bringing her shining comedic voice to this relatable and compassionate guide, Raskin empowers her readers to persevere on the often-precarious path to finding and maintaining the intimate human connection they desire. “A warm hug in the world of mental health,” declares author Kelsey Darragh. “This book is going to save relationships!”
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
Hello, Fears by Michelle Poler | Sourcebooks
Don’t hide from your fears; look them right in the eye and offer each and every one of them a big hello! Michelle Poler, founder of the Hello Fears social movement, which has empowered millions of folks to step outside of their comfort zone and tap into their full potential, brings her sparkling wit and kick-butt attitude to this practical guide all about confronting whatever scares you on the road to meaningful happiness. Rest assured that she’s walked this road herself (heck, she’s confronted 100 of her own fears in 100 days!), and her book outlines all the setbacks encountered on her own path to joyful purpose outside the traditional definition of success.
Helping readers name, accept and embrace the roadblocks along their journey toward a memorable and full life, Poler’s book is both motivational and actionable, and it’s chock-full of friendly wisdom. “This book spoke to my heart in ways that other personal development books haven’t,” writes one reviewer. “If you are looking for a funny and captivating book that will help you look at your fears and yourself different: Hello, Fears is for you!” And if there’s one thing you don’t have to fear, it’s cracking open this book.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
How to Be a Person in the World by Heather Havrilesky | Anchor Books
From the author of “Ask Polly,” the popular weekly advice column featured on New York Magazine’s The Cut, Heather Havrilesky’s How to Be a Person in the World brings together an entertaining selection of never-before-seen material and a few fan favorites. Covering a smorgasbord of topics — family squabbles, grief, cheating romantic partners, loneliness — Havrilesky approaches each predicament with wisdom, humor and compassion, reminding her readers that no matter how bleak their current situation may be, they’re never alone.
Perfect for readers who enjoyed Cheryl Strayed’s Tiny Beautiful Things, “this book stands to satisfy aficionados and also to serve as a fantastic introduction to readers not yet familiar with Havrilesky’s omnivorous and essayistic approach,” says the Chicago Tribune. “With a fresh, sassy voice she delivers punch-you-in-the-gut truths that are the definition of tough love,” says one reviewer. “Her ability to poke fun at herself and others, as well as her healthy dose of expletives, sure adds a kick in the pants that I think we all need sometimes.” Another adds, “She is funny enough that she keeps the columns interesting but insightful enough that you feel uplifted and inspired.”
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies by Tara Schuster
If you’re the sort of person who finds the usual, run-of-the-mill self-help guides unrelatable, this may be the one for you. Accomplished entertainment executive Tara Schuster, who has worked for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and served as the Vice President of Talent and Development at Comedy Central, delivers a cuttingly candid and hilarious look about the hard-won lessons on the road to self-love. After shedding her own perfectly crafted veneer, the false image of mastered adulthood, seeking instead something of genuine substance, she utterly transformed her mind, body and relationships.
Sharing her simple, daily rituals with readers, Schuster helps them identify the self-limiting beliefs they hold and toss them, ward off self-criticism and create a life they actually love. An addictively readable and practical guide to growing up, Chelsea Handler says Schuster’s book is “compelling, persuasive, and useful no matter where you are in your life.” Plus, its particular brand of self-love education may just get through to those who feel even the slightest bit nauseated by all the cheese served up in other books.
I’m Judging You by Luvvie Ajayi
In her ambitious collection of essays, activist, culture critic and veteran blogger Luvvie Ajayi of AwesomelyLuvvie.com delivers a wry social commentary in the form of a modern manners guide. The topics covered in this “Do-Better Manual” range from the highly relatable (sucking at being a person) to the heavy but highly important (racism and rape culture) to the ridiculous landscape of social media (hashtags and internet drama) and more. It’s a balanced combination of enlightening and entertaining that’ll help spark “important and meaty discussions about all the topics your mama told you never to bring up at polite dinner parties,” notes NYT bestselling author Jenny Lawson.
Humorous, hard-hitting and humane, Ajayi thoroughly tackles the uncomfortable but essential conversations we all should be having. “This truth-riot of a book gives us everything from hilarious lectures on the bad behavior all around us to the razor-sharp essays on media and culture,” says executive producer of Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes. “With I’m Judging You, Luvvie brilliantly puts the world on notice that she is not here for your foolishness — or mine.”
Almost Happy by Dr. Brian Kaplan and Hephzibah Kaplan
This comedy-loving duo of health care professionals knows exactly what buttons to push to get you to laugh! Brian and Hephzibah Kaplan, a London-based husband and wife team with extensive psychology CVs and bit of show business experience to boot, approach personal difficulties with Provocative Therapy, aiming to help the public snap out of whatever ails their psyches with reverse psychology, humor, parody, satire and improvisation. “If you are prepared to see the funny side of how you may be sabotaging your life … We hope the provocative suggestions may elicit a wake-up call or perhaps jolt you into realizing change is easier than you think.”
Almost Happy won’t just tickle your funny bone, it’ll tickle your preconceived notions about therapy. The book showcases over 100 illustrations of buttons that feature catchy phrases that help readers recognize their problems across a number of areas: bad habits, relationships, health, work, money and identity. “Each button is a succinct and hilarious insight into this thing we call life,” says Neil Mullarkey, founder of the London Comedy Store Players. “I could not stop turning the next page, eager to spot myself, my friends and family in the tiny capsules of wisdom in this witty book.” (Our review.)
Overthinking About You by Allison Raskin
NYT bestselling author, screenwriter, co-host of the popular podcast Just Between Us and mental health advocate Allison Raskin combines her vast personal and professional expertise to bring sound, heartfelt advice on romance and dating to those living with mental illness. Dating is difficult even in the best of circumstances, but “Navigating Romantic Relationships When You Have Anxiety, OCD, and/or Depression,” as the book’s subtitle notes, can turn up the dial on this daunting pursuit.
Romance-seekers can learn a lot from Raskin, who has personally dealt with all the aforementioned mental illnesses, as she opens up about her own dating mishaps, but they’ll also gain insight from the mental health professionals, relationship experts and real-life couples she interviews throughout the course of the book. Bringing her shining comedic voice to this relatable and compassionate guide, Raskin empowers her readers to persevere on the often-precarious path to finding and maintaining the intimate human connection they desire. “A warm hug in the world of mental health,” declares author Kelsey Darragh. “This book is going to save relationships!”
Hello, Fears by Michelle Poler
Don’t hide from your fears; look them right in the eye and offer each and every one of them a big hello! Michelle Poler, founder of the Hello Fears social movement, which has empowered millions of folks to step outside of their comfort zone and tap into their full potential, brings her sparkling wit and kick-butt attitude to this practical guide all about confronting whatever scares you on the road to meaningful happiness. Rest assured that she’s walked this road herself (heck, she’s confronted 100 of her own fears in 100 days!), and her book outlines all the setbacks encountered on her own path to joyful purpose outside the traditional definition of success.
Helping readers name, accept and embrace the roadblocks along their journey toward a memorable and full life, Poler’s book is both motivational and actionable, and it’s chock-full of friendly wisdom. “This book spoke to my heart in ways that other personal development books haven’t,” writes one reviewer. “If you are looking for a funny and captivating book that will help you look at your fears and yourself different: Hello, Fears is for you!” And if there’s one thing you don’t have to fear, it’s cracking open this book.
How to Be a Person in the World by Heather Havrilesky
From the author of “Ask Polly,” the popular weekly advice column featured on New York Magazine’s The Cut, Heather Havrilesky’s How to Be a Person in the World brings together an entertaining selection of never-before-seen material and a few fan favorites. Covering a smorgasbord of topics — family squabbles, grief, cheating romantic partners, loneliness — Havrilesky approaches each predicament with wisdom, humor and compassion, reminding her readers that no matter how bleak their current situation may be, they’re never alone.
Perfect for readers who enjoyed Cheryl Strayed’s Tiny Beautiful Things, “this book stands to satisfy aficionados and also to serve as a fantastic introduction to readers not yet familiar with Havrilesky’s omnivorous and essayistic approach,” says the Chicago Tribune. “With a fresh, sassy voice she delivers punch-you-in-the-gut truths that are the definition of tough love,” says one reviewer. “Her ability to poke fun at herself and others, as well as her healthy dose of expletives, sure adds a kick in the pants that I think we all need sometimes.” Another adds, “She is funny enough that she keeps the columns interesting but insightful enough that you feel uplifted and inspired.”
