Browsing in a bookshop the other day, I noticed the extraordinary number of so called self help books in stock. In fact, they seem almost limitless and spill over into a number of categories, such as health, fitness, parenting, money, to name but a few. Its almost as if anyone who had a problem or difficult situation, and who has resolved it(or thinks they have), feels the need to write about it.
Worse, most of it is re-cycled bunk or shamelessly re-worded versions of things that everyone has always known but thought was too obvious to put down in words. One striking similarity of the least reputable works is their affection for numbers. One writer felt there were seven ways that you could achieve financial independence (Step 7. Return this book and get a refund), another that there were six steps to a healthier you. Similarly, the ten habits of super successful people (#8 Always lift the toilet seat). The three essentials of raising a bright child(#1 Check parenting stock) sat somewhat cheekily next to the five ways of discovering the inner child.
Its sad and scandalous really, because amid this self-raising dross are a few gems written by genuine professionals who know what they are talking about. The penchant for numbers I can't explain, except to suggest that people have grown so lazy and publishers so cynical that anything promising relief or easy return in less than ten steps has become a good weeze.
You know what they say....if it's too good to be true......... Then again, maybe there's a book in that somewhere......
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