Book talk: Self-help reads to put you on the right path

Jeff Popple reviews three self-help reads to set you on the right path in 2020! More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

The Art of Rest by Claudia Hammond

Canongate, $29.99

January is almost over, and most people are back at work, study and school. Now is the perfect time to put those New Year’s Eve resolutions into action. A popular resolution is to stop being so busy and focus more on the important things. As Claudia Hammond points out, busyness has become a modern badge of honour, with most people complaining of being too busy and too exhausted to do anything meaningful. Using research, her book promotes the importance of rest as a method of self-care and lists the best ways of resting. Reading is at the top of the list, so go out and buy more books and rest!

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F**k No! by Sarah Knight

Quercus, $29.99

Sarah Knight specialises in forthright, bluntly titled books that offer down to earth advice which eschews the usual jargon of self-help guides. Her latest tells how to stop saying yes, when you really mean to say no. Instead of giving in and doing that one more task, Knight shows how to politely, but firmly, say no and get the message across that you really mean it. She also delivers practical strategies to help and gives tips on how to start taking charge of your time and your life. A good guide for people who do not normally read self-help books.

Let It Go by Peter Walsh

Penguin Life, $24.99.

Whether you are selling your home, blending households or helping your ageing parents move into a smaller place, sorting through a lifetime’s worth of accumulated possessions can be a stressful experience. In Let It Go, decluttering guru Peter Walsh provides a wealth of expert advice on how to deal with the emotional and practical aspects of downsizing. He gives sensible tips and takes readers through a step-by-step guide to decluttering, including process maps, quizzes and checklists. He also draws on his experiences to provide interesting real-life stories. A useful and empowering guide.