How you can help yourself survive the doom and gloom
With economic meltdown, high unemployment and health crises dominating the headlines, we could all be forgiven for feeling a little gloomy.
But it would seem that some of us are increasingly turning to self-help books in search of inspiration, guidance and a confidence boost.
Philip Stone, charts editor at industry analysts Bookseller magazine, says that sales of popular psychology/self-help books have risen 15 per cent in the past six months.
Guidance: Three of the top titles from the booming self-help market
According to online bookseller Amazon, sales of self-help books this year are nine per cent higher than they were over the same period in 2008, and 40 per cent higher than in 2006.
The No1 bestselling self-help book on Amazon.co.uk is The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne (Simon & Schuster, £12.99). The basic premise is that the power of an individual's positive thinking can change and influence outcomes in their lives, such as increased wealth, health and happiness.
At No2, How To Talk To Anyone: 92 Little Tricks For Big Success In Relationships, by Leil Lowndes (Thorsons, £8.99) has tips and techniques on communicating in life, love and business - including body language.
Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway: How To Turn Your Fear And Indecision Into Confidence And Action, the bestseller by Susan Jeffers (Vermilion, £6.99), offers insight and tools to improve your ability to handle any situation, whatever your anxieties.
In a new book, 59 Seconds: Think A Little, Change A Lot, (Macmillan, £12.99) Richard Wiseman offers quick and quirky techniques to help people achieve their aims and ambitions in minutes.
And How To Talk So Kids Will Listen And Listen So Kids Will Talk (How To Help Your Child), by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish (Piccadilly Press, £10.99) offers ways to help parents deal with their children.
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