A Visit to the Self-Help Section

“You wasted $150,000 on an education you coulda got for a buck fifty in late charges at the public library.” – Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting

I’ll admit it – I’m no bookworm.  Or at least, not the kind who reads a lot of fiction.

While girlfriends chatter about their favorite summer reading books, I smile politely and wait for the conversation to turn to celebrity break-ups.  While I am envious of the social scene many moms have with their bookclubs, I am too afraid to commit, because, well, I just don’t really love to read about vampire romances (I gave Twilight a valiant effort, but couldn’t get past the halfway point).  The only time I ever kept up with a book club or with the Barnes & Noble Fictional Best-sellers list, was when I was commuting by public transit to my job in Boston.  I welcomed the distraction from bubbly and overperfumed college girls, endearing, but irritating families headed to Fenway Park and the eccentric, lonely souls who would talk to themselves to the end of the line.  These lighthearted stories kept me company, and the monthly book club meeting was more of an excuse for a mid-week ladies’ night than anything else.  Oh yes, and of course I didn’t have kids – so I had loads of time to myself!

That’s not to say I don’t like to read.  I just seem to gravitate towards the back of the book store, along with all the other 30-,40-, and 50-somethings who are looking for inspiration in this crazy world.  With all my soul-searching lately, I have really gotten into those psycho-babble self-help books, as well as resource and interpretation guides on a variety of topics that interest me.  Currently, those are yoga, parenting, writing and blogging.

I love to learn new things, and I love to think that books have all the answers.  As a new parent, whenever a tough question came up (and wasn’t that about every two hours?), I would go in search of Dr. Spock, Dr. Brazelton or Miss-What-to-Expect Herself.  It was like having private doctors and experienced parents in the room with me, day and night.

I still fantasize that such books existing for the sole purpose of making me a better person.  Many moms would disagree and say that experience and advice are the only things that help them, but I love to learn from the printed word.

If you haven’t checked out my online book store, Just Breathe, I invite you to check it out for great titles and resources related to The PranaMama’s favorite topics.  You may also visit the Resources page for specific recommendations, such as yoga games for kids, online tools for fitness tracking and inspiration, and of course, my favorite books on yoga, nutrition, fitness and overall health.

Happy Shopping, Happy Reading and Happy Learning!

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