January is synonymous with resolutions. In the spirit of the new year, who has not, with the best intentions, committed to a better life, a better self, a better world? Change can be daunting but you don’t have to go it alone - there are countless books to both inspire and guide you. Is the proliferation of self-help books a response to the complexity and anxiety of our current times? Possibly; but, believe it or not, the very first self-help book, conveniently and obviously titled Self-Help, was written in 1859 by Scottish author Samuel Smiles. His aim was to motivate members of the working and middle classes to achieve upward mobility through hard work, thrift, perseverance and sobriety. Self-help books these days have evolved into a more diverse genre, with titles ranging from the personal to the universal. A small selection of the many titles available at the library is shown below. Click on the book jackets for catalog links. And, to read about New Year’s traditions around the world, click here. Happy 2024!
The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. Michael Altshuler
You don't have to see the whole staircase; just take the first step. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. William Shakespeare
Last Modified December 26, 2024