Charmaine Lao

3 December 2011

English 112B

Warner

Annotated Bibliography: Self-Help

I chose to do an annotated bibliography on Self-Help books, primarily the ones that inspire hope, courage, and meaning in life. The collection of books I chose are both fiction and non-fiction; many are novels that I have read over and over, some are novels I haven�t had a chance to read again but remember word for word, and a few are books that I have always heard about but never got around to reading.

I grew up an only child. I relied on books to keep me company, and when life was hard, especially during my parents� divorce and my bouncing from family to family, I found a few of these books actually helped me cope. I think, that, most people do appreciate feeling like they aren�t the only one�s struggling or going through a certain predicament. I did. Learning of some of these character�s challenges gave me some ideas on how to get through mine, particularly how to reach a happy ending, or how to achieve success even if it started to seem impossible. As I got older, simple �how to� steps or �the truth is� suggestions not only made some situations easier to go through but it gave my life some comedy, while still teaching me a few things.

The general theme these books share is enlightenment. A few are structured as guides, while others are stories. I find each and every one of these books to be beneficial, as their morals and lessons can be directly applied in every day life.

1. Chapman, Gary. The Five Love Languages. Northfield Publishing; New Edition 2010. print

A guide about communication between two partners, and how speaking in two different languages may sometimes be overseen, thus being the main problem in most marriages. Gary Chapman helps identify, understand, and speak the partner�s languages, which could either be: quality time, works of affirmation, gifts, acts of service of physical touch. By learning and practicing these five love languages, you and your partner and build a lasting, love marriage together.

This book has helped me in my relationships with family members, friends, and significant others. I didn�t realize that the reason for miscommunications are often because I am too focused on what I want to say and how I feel, that I fail to acknowledge what someone else is trying to say to me or may want me to understand. This book has enlightened me about the true value of working hard to make a relationship work and dedicating your time an effort to the people you care for most.

2. Hesse, Herman. Siddhartha. New Directions (US) 1922, 1951 (U.S.). print

A young man leaves his family for the pursuit of true happiness and contentment. Through his journey, he has a son, but after being restless with lust and greed, continues on his travels. Eventually, after coming to a river where he hears a unique sound, the true beginning of his life surprises him: suffering, rejection, peace, and wisdom.

I first read this book during my senior year in high school, a time when it felt appropriate to find meaning in the world- to find and understand myself, and who I wanted to be. Reading this book made me also want to find a sense of complacency, and happiness; to make mistakes and learn from them. Over the years, I�ve found that this book put me at ease, as it puts the world and my circumstances into perspective.

3. Pelzer, Dave. A Child Called It. Health Communications 1995. print

This book focuses on one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. It is the story of Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved under the care of an alcoholic parent. In order to survive, he had to learn her ways, while struggling as she treated him like property rather than a child.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever been in this predicament and felt like they were the only ones being treated this way. I don�t mean for it to seem usual, but to show someone that there is hope for a better tomorrow. This book has taught me that challenges and survival know no age, and may have no limits, but that it is up to us to make it in life; to work towards our own beginning.

4. Pausch, Randy. The Last Lecture. Hyperion 2008. Print

After learning of his terminal illness, On September 18, 2007, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture called �Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.� With slides of his CT scans, he was youthful, energetic, handsome, often cheerfully, darkly funny. He seemed invincible. The book has become a phenomenon, celebrating the dream we all strive to turn into realities.

The last lecture helped me appreciate life and make the most out of the time I had in this world. I inspired me to dream, about things that may have even been childish. It made me want to speak to a group of people about my experiences in life, and how to help them have meaning in theirs.

5. Byrne, Rhonda. The Secret. Atria Books Beyond Words Publishing 2006. print

The book emphasizes how one can change almost all aspects of their life. That one can turn their weaknesses into strength, power, health and joy. It argues that everything is possible and that nothing is impossible; there are no limits in life and you whatever you dream of can be yours, when you use the secret.

Though I have never read this book, I have heard many reviews about how it has helped others find purpose in their lives. From reading the summary, I know that I can learn and appreciate it�s content, as I, too, belie that nothing is impossible.

6. Gladwell, Malcom. The Outliers. Little, Brown & Company 2011. print

Malcolm Gladwell takes us through the world of "outliers"--the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He makes you wonder, what makes high-achievers different? He claims that the answer is that too much attention is spent on what success should look like, instead of where it comes from. Perhaps, culture, family, generation and even idiosyncratic experiences of one�s up bringing.

I always wondered how most of the Asian kids always got good grades, or were always good at math. I even tried to figure out why it seemed as though all the white kids were good at softball. This book made me think that maybe it had nothing to do with who, but rather, what was making these groups of people be successful; what is the force behind them and why it their purpose to do so well.

7. Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Life. Zondervan; 1st edition 2002. Print

No one is an accident. Rick Warren suggests distilled wisdom on the essence of what life is about. It is a book of hope, challenge, triumph and adversities. This book serves as a guide through a story of a 40-day spiritual journey, helping you understand why you are alive and God's amazing plan for you---both here and now, and for eternity.

I�ve always been intrigued by spiritual retreats, though, my religion doesn�t quite believe in them. My religion likes to convene as a group, and be preached to by someone they trust knows everything about god. But, I want to try and understand my relationship with god, and I�m hoping that maybe the journey in this book can help me do that.

8. Gray, John. Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus. HarperCollins 1993. Print

Gray uses such examples to demonstrate usual issues between men and women. Topics include communication differences; emotional needs and the different ways of expressing these needs; and forming and maintaining relationships. Without any legitimate research references, however, the content can seem like pure verbal judo.

Being married has made me accept that men are just wired differently, like how this book explains. They understand emotions in a way that women can find offensive, or �insensitive�. However, most women, most of the time, would never admit this but are more willing to accept it as fact if someone else told them. I recommend this book for women with expectations that men should �just know�.

9. Behrednt, Greg. He�s Just Not That Into You: the no-excuses guide to understanding guys. Gallery Books; Abridged edition 2005. Print

Based on an episode of "Sex and the City," offers a carefree, straightforward look at nonsense relationships and advice on how to let go of them and move on.

It�s true, sometimes; he�s just not that into you. But, friends wont tell you that, this book will. This book teaches women that just because a man is being chivalrous, it doesn�t always mean he has intentions of pursuing you. Some men have hidden agendas, while others are just hungry, and needed company at dinner.

10. Hicks, Esther and Hicks, Jerry. The law of Attraction. Hay House; 1 edition 2006. Print.

This book presents the powerful basics of the original Teachings of Abraham. Learn here about the omnipresent Laws that govern this Universe and how to make them work to your advantage. You�ll finally understand just about everything that�s happening in your own life as well as in the lives of those you�re interacting with.

From what I gathered about the book, I like the advice that if you think about something hard enough, it can happen or can be yours. Similar to the fact that if you want something bad enough, you�d work at it, which would ultimately mean that it is constantly on your mind. I hear a lot of people suggest �the laws of attraction� but in the terms of this book, I�m not sure what they are, which is why I really want to read it.

Bibliography

"The Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham (9781401912277): Esther Hicks, Jerry Hicks: Books." Introduction. The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Hay House, 2006. Amazon.com. Amazon.com, Inc. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://www.amazon.com/Law-Attraction-Basics-Teachings-Abraham/dp/1401912273>.

"Outliers: The Story of Success (9780316017923): Malcolm Gladwell: Books." Preface.Outliers: The Story of Success. Little Brown & Co., 2008. Amazon.com. Amazon.com, Inc. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://www.amazon.com/Outliers-Story-Success-Malcolm-Gladwell/dp/0316017922>.

"The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts (9780802473158): Gary D. Chapman: Books." Preface. The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts. Northfield Publishing, 2010. Amazon.com. Amazon.com, Inc. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://www.amazon.com/Love-Languages-Secret-That-Lasts/dp/0802473156>.

"A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive (9781558743663): Dave Pelzer: Books." Preface. A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive. HCI, 1995. Amazon.com. Amazon.com, Inc. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://www.amazon.com/Child-Called-Childs-Courage-Survive/dp/1558743669>.

"Siddhartha (9780553208849): Hermann Hesse, Hilda Rosner: Books." Preface. Siddhartha. Bantam Classic & Loveswept, 1981. Amazon.com. Amazon.com, Inc. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://www.amazon.com/Siddhartha-Hermann-Hesse/dp/0553208845>.

"The Secret Book." Official Web Site of The Secret and The Power. TS Production LLC. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://thesecret.tv/thesecretbook/>.

"The Last Lecture." Www.thelastlecture.com/. Hyperion. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://www.thelastlecture.com/>.

"He's Just Not That Into You: Your Daily Wake-Up Call (9781416909538): Greg Behrendt, Liz Tuccillo: Books." Introduction. He's Just Not That Into You: Your Daily Wake-Up Call. Gallery, 2005. Amazon.com. Amazon.com, Inc. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://www.amazon.com/Hes-Just-Not-That-Into/dp/1416909532/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8>.

"He's Just Not That Into You: Your Daily Wake-Up Call (9781416909538): Greg Behrendt, Liz Tuccillo: Books." Introduction. The Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham. Simon Spotlight Entertainment, 2004.Http://store.hbo.com/. Home Box Office, Inc. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://store.hbo.com/hes-just-not-that-into-you-book/detail.php?p=103458>.

"Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: A Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting What You Want in Your Relationships (9780060168483): John Gray: Books." Introduction. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: A Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting What You Want in Your Relationships. 1st ed. HarperCollins, 1993. Amazon.com. Amazon.com, Inc. Web. 06 Dec. 2011. <http://www.amazon.com/Mars-Women-Venus-Communication-Relationships/dp/006016848X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books>.