I’ll start by saying, we’ve all been there. We’ve all had to ask for a little help at one time or another. While the library can’t make your stressors disappear, we do have some resources on our shelves that might be of use to you. I’m talking about the old reliable 150s, the self-help and psychology section!
This is a fairly wide subject area, encompassing topics like building esteem, navigating relationships, love and happiness, working through trauma, finding motivation and inspiration, creating the life you want, and building a mind-body connection. Accordingly, there are a lot of books on the shelves in this range, so there’s a lot to choose from!
Most of the authors writing today go out of their way to use a very approachable style, so don’t worry about being verbally browbeaten or made to feel guilty for not doing something in a particular way: they honestly intend to help their readers and go to lengths to provide accurate and useful information and tools. At the same time, don’t worry that all these books are so reserved in tone that they aren’t enjoyable: you’re going to find the Ph.D. who is, and sounds like, a therapist, but you’ll also find the reputable life coach who shows you how to determine what type of personality traits you have and how to make them work for you. Many books in this area have been bestsellers in the last few years, and with good reason. So, the next time you’re looking for a little help, reach for your friends at the library!
Some of the more popular recent titles from the last year include It Begins With You: the 9 Hard Truths About Love That Will Change Your Life by Jillian Turecki; The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy by Jordan Grumet; The 5 Types of Wealth: a Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life by Sahil Bloom; Life in Three Dimensions: the New Science of a Good Life by Oishi Shigehiro; and Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want by Courtney Carver.
If you’re ready to let a little of the woo-woo into your self-help planning, check out Aligned Abundance: Release Expectations, Become Magnetic, and Manifest the Life of Your Dreams by Emma Mumford and Enneagram in Real Life: Find Your Type, Understand Who You Are, & Take Steps Toward Growth by Stephanie Hall.
Candice Smith has been librarian-ing for over 20 years, and is currently the Adult Services librarian at ICPL. This article was originally published in Little Village’s February 2026 issue.
