London - When Peru drug mule Michaella McCollum arrived for sentencing clutching Secrets About Life Every Woman Should Know, she was tapping into the A-list’s latest must-have accessory: a well-thumbed self-improvement book. Here are the books that celebs live by...
VICTORIA BECKHAM
Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
VB was quick to get her hands on this tell-it-how-it-is guide to ditching bad eating habits for good when it came out in 2007. Not that the super-slender celeb needed it then or now. Known to favour steamed vegetables and grilled fish, she could in fact have penned this tome herself.
ANNE HATHAWAY
All Natural by Nathanael Johnson
Apparently keen to discover some deeper meaning in Hollywood, Oscar-winner Anne emerged from a New York book store recently clutching a stack of self-help reads including All Natural – a sceptic’s guide to the radically shifting world.
KELLY BROOK
The Road Less Travelled by M Scott Peck
After her latest love split, Kelly seems to be trying to learn from her romantic misfortune. Hailed as the most profound, influential book of our generation, The Road Less Travelled aims to help you recognise true compatibility, distinguish dependency from love, and become your own person.
PARIS HILTON
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Just like a Birkin or a teeny tiny pup, Oprah-endorsed The Power of Now has become a celebrity must-have. Based on Buddhist philosophies, it guides you through the stresses of everyday life. Is Paris reading it in an attempt to shed her socialite image? Nice try.
SELENA GOMEZ
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman
Last year was tough for Selena: she split with boyfriend Justin Bieber, who flaunted his single status at a Brazilian brothel – but have Chapman’s wise words led to their rumoured reconciliation?
JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT
Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov
Could it be that men love bitches after all? The no-nonsense guide to why men want strong partners as opposed to “yes women” would seem to have transformed Jennifer Love Hewitt’s once-unlucky love life. Since she was spotted with the title in 2011, she has met, married and had a baby with her Client List co-star Brian Hallisay.
EMMA WATSON
A 3rd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
We didn’t have Emma down as a Bridget Jones type, but this reveals otherwise. The title encourages us to “love unconditionally” and “pursue your heartfelt dreams with more conviction”. Not one for cynics.
KATE HUDSON
Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples by Harville Hendrix
Is Kate dropping a not-too-subtle hint to her fiancé, setting a date for the big day? The actress was spotted reading the book about making your relationship last while beach lounging with long-time love, Muse frontman Matt Bellamy.
And men need self-help too…
SHANE WARNE
Visualizing and Verbalizing by Nanci Bell
Shane Warne may have taken the advice proffered in this step-by-step guide to improving your communication skills a little too literally, if his touchy-feely Liz Hurley split tweets are anything to go by. His latest gem? “Live life for what tomorrow has to offer, not for what happened yesterday.” Perhaps he’s verba-Liz-ing? – Daily Mail
FIVE ESSENTIAL SELF-HELP TITLES
* Modern Dating: A Field Guide by Chiara Atik.
* The Courage to be Yourself by Sue Patton Thoele.
* How to Age in Place: Planning for a Happy, Independent and Financially Secure Retirement by Mary A Languirand and Robert F Bornstein.
* The Remarriage Blueprint: How Remarried Couples and Their Families Succeed or Fail by Maggie Scarf.
* Women Who Worry Too Much by Holly Hazlett-Stevens.
Relationships expert Andrew G Marshall analyses the rise of reading yourself happy
Why do we need self-help books more than ever?
Nowadays, there are no rules. Previously, we all had defined roles and expectations, but we’re the first generation to have equal standing between men and women along with ever-changing social rules and norms.
We now have the choice to do what is right for us, rather than what society thinks is right for us, which is wonderful, except that many of us need help working out just what that right thing is. This is where self-help books come in; after all, there is only a certain number of times that you can call your friends during the night for advice.
Can self-help books replace counselling and therapy?
Self-help books are full of advice and answers, whereas counsellors and therapists will often answer your questions with more questions.
Self-help books offer us comfort and the reassurance that we’re not alone in our dilemmas.
They also allow us to access the advice of world experts on specific emotional issues, for a fraction of the cost of a therapy session.
Also, those who feel that counselling or therapy are not socially acceptable don’t have to let anyone know they’re asking for help.– Andrew G Marshall
* Andrew G Marshall is author of I Love You But I’m Not in Love With You: Seven Steps to Saving Your Relationship (Bloomsbury)