Skip the fiction aisle: Why self help is a smarter read for personal growth

And then, one must not discount the possibility of misunderstanding the author and mangling the message. After all fantasy and fiction are fabricated, open for interpretation as one pleases. Of course, that is true of any text, but one has to admit that the margin of misunderstanding a self-help book is rather small.

Those who are swelling in rage at my gumption of dissing their favourite genre, should remember Stephen King’s novel Rage, which was found in the hands of perpetrators of school shootings in the US. Of course, it was a work of fiction, the author in no way advocated such dastardly acts, and yet even King realised the damage done by adolescents inspired by the book, and pulled it from publication. In a self-help book, the goal is clear, there is little margin of for convoluting the message.

Intentional reading is often a hit and a miss

The world of “Dramione”—a popular fanfiction pairing of Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger that explores the classic enemies-to-lovers trope. (Above) A photoshopped image circulating on Pinterest.

What does one actually learn by reading J K Rowling’s Harry Potter or Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Galaxy? The burgeoning fanfiction sites are testament to the fact that all people take away are different ships, take Dramione, rather than anything of import. They are not discussing the perils of fascist ideas or the burden of inequality. Most children are in fact wishing for their own loyal and quirky Dobby. Would reading a short history of slavery or a true account by the victims Fascism and Nazism not be better? The takeaway is clearly spelt out.

With no offense to all those who like reading fictional books, there is real power in dedicating your time to books that add something to your life. Reading a self-help book is certainly an investment that might yield valuable results. Books like Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People and Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad are a complete guide for you to discover the meaning of your life, live up to the mark and to enjoy reading some great books altogether.

There’s a lot that a self help book can teach you, which one might not glean from fiction. Such books help us to learn about multiple things without committing mistakes ourselves. Otto von Bismarck, the first Chancellor of Germany, had famously, said, “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.”

Real world utility

Books are a means of communication, which is only effective when the receiver interprets the message accurately. This task becomes even easier, if the message is simpler. Books that talk directly about the dos and don’ts for having a good life are more helpful. Just to quote an example, Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, is a simple but interesting and indispensable resource for someone who wants to develop his character. This book makes it easier for a person to achieve personal as well as social and professional goals.

The wisdom you gain from fiction can always be found in self-help books. Thus, choosing a book that provides knowledge, values and ideas together, with few interruptions and digressions, is always better. Of course, a person’s purpose for picking up a book makes all the difference.

(The writer is an intern with The Indian Express. You can send bouquets and brickbats to  venutiwari2004@gmail.com) 

(As I See It  is a space for bookish reflection, part personal essay and part love letter to the written word.)