Shelf help

Struggling with January blues? There’s a book for that, says author of new novel Thirty Things I Love About Myself, Radhika Sanghani

Years ago, an ex returned a self-help book he assumed was mine: How To Love Yourself. It wasn’t. But I read it and realised two things: 1) self-help books will find you when you need them, and 2) I needed to love myself.

That book led me to quit my job, start a viral body positivity movement (#Sideprofileselfie) make new friends and, finally, ditch my negative self-talk.

It was life-changing and inspired my latest novel.

In it, Nina turns her life around with the aid of a self-help book that finds her just when she needs it. I hope it will encourage readers to remember the power that books have to change lives. Here are six books that could do that: Thirty Things I Love About Myself by Radhika Sanghani

Mantra: If you love yourself, you’ll always be okay.

Yes, this is my own book, and okay, it’s fiction, but it helped me get through a break-up by reminding me to focus on my present life rather than the past. Fiction – both reading and writing it – can be a powerful tool for transformation and growth. The biggest lesson? True happiness lies in accepting yourself, just the way you are.

Thirty Things I Love About Myself (Headline) by Radhika Sanghani is out 20th January

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Mantra: Positive thinking can bring positive results.

This book helped me attract a man on a beach in Barcelona, and I’ve believed in the law of attraction ever since. I read it aged 22 in Spanish while learning the language, and it taught me that believing your desires are already met will help manifest them.

The biggest lesson? You have the power to change your life by changing your thoughts.

The Magic by Rhonda Byrne

Mantra: Practising gratitude will make your life better.

This book helped me get through lockdown. The sequel to The Secret, it has exercises that are done over 28 days. It prompted me to create a gratitude journal, and start focusing on what I already have, rather than thinking about what I don’t have yet. The biggest lesson?

Whatever you’re grateful for will expand in your life.

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Mantra: Creativity will change your life.

This book helped me to overcome writer’s block. I re-read it every time I start a creative project because it reminds me to be brave and push past my fears. The biggest lesson?

Creating doesn’t have to be a tortured, difficult process; it can be light, joyful and fun.

How To Love Yourself (And Sometimes Other People) by Meggan Watterson and Lodro Rinzler

Mantra: You are worthy of love from yourself and others. This book helped me not to lose myself in relationships by keeping me anchored in my love for myself, even while loving someone else. The biggest lesson?

Self-love will help you when you’re single, in a relationship or suffering a broken heart.

The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak

Mantra: Love is the answer to everything.

This book helped me find the courage to take my own path. You can listen to your heart instead of your head, and do what feels right for you. It’s a novel, not strictly self-help, but full of wisdom about all humanity being connected and that we should strive to be more accepting rather than so judgemental. The biggest lesson?

You can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it.