Anyone read a self-help book that genuinely changed their opinions or outlook on life?

My husband liked Buddhism: Plain and Simple by Steve Hagan. It's the practice stuff without the religious stuff.

That said, self help books are 90% trash, and the sheer volume of them being sold every day says something about the narcissism in our society. Why does everything have to be about helping oneself? If we could read more books on being compassionate, empathetic, and kind to other people (again, minus the religious stuff), we'd probably all be doing a little better.

Depending on the type of fantasy you read, you might already be better off. A lot of science fiction and fantasy is borderline niceguy/incel garbage, and too much of that can certainly pollute your headspace. But there's plenty of good to be found, too, and a person browsing the self-help section is probably already aware of the difference.

Perhaps you could try literary fiction or 'chick lit' books? Make it a goal to read more books by and about women and BIPOC experiences. Right now, that genre is rife with tranny "representation." I wouldn't mind if the characters weren't one dimensional drama queens who spend all their time shoving their new genitalia and pronouns down everyone's throats. But, again, there are good stories to be found, and they can help teach you empathy, compassion, kindness, and understanding if you are open to that.

Really, read any genre you like. Just keep an eye on what exactly you are taking away from it. Personally, I've gone from ally to terf because of all the tranny shit everywhere I go all of a sudden. I'm trying to work on that.

/r/audiobooks Thread