Today’s literature world often gravitates towards self-help books. Instead of being another passing trend, self-help books have become a booming industry, worth billions of dollars, with an estimated 5000 self-help books published yearly. From improving productivity, building confidence to even tips on how to obtain happiness, millions of readers turn to the genre to improve themselves and their well-being. While the self-help books provide accessibility and practical guidance to the betterment of self, it can also be a very limiting or one-sided way of learning. 

As writer, Adam Aushaf puts it, “turns out reading 100 books doesn’t mean you’ll gain 100 pieces of new knowledge — it often means you’ll encounter the same core idea repeated again and again, just framed differently.” Self-help books often repeat the same principles and ideas as, not only other self-help books, but past thinkers and philosophers have already said. Ideas are just repackaged for a more modern audience. 

Human nature does not change as much as we like to think it does, with our struggles, desires, and fears often repeating across generations. While, self-help books can offer solutions and share these fundamental ideas, it is often done in generalised frameworks, assuming that this one method, trick, or ‘life hack’ is universal, failing to take into account differing individual experiences. What works for one person may not work for another. 

There are also limitations in credibility and impact. Many self-help books lack strong scientific grounding and while they may feel persuasive, that is usually where the efficacy ends. “The typical self-help book is marketed without being tested and with exaggerated claims,” says Gerald Rosen, a UW clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences. Any good research requires testing. Rosen further goes on to say:  “well-intentioned instructions may be totally useless on a self-administered basis—even though they worked beautifully beforehand in a clinic.” 

This can be due to a variety of reasons, the book is poorly written, too complicated or even that the reader can misinterpret the book. Therefore, many readers who take these self-help books at face value (and why wouldn’t you?); can easily be misled. Furthermore, these books often promote unrealistic expectations, which can leave readers feeling inadequate when promised results do not materialise. 

This is where fiction can come in. Rather than prescribing solutions, or step by steps, fictional books instead invites readers to experience life through multiple perspectives. Scientific research even suggests that reading fiction can improve your mental health, mood and well-being. 

With licensed psychotherapist, Gina Simmons Schneider, sharing how reading fiction can enhance empathy, emotional intelligence, and can even lower depression and stress levels. By immersing ourselves in stories, slowing down and allowing enjoyment, we are able to engage with complex characters, moral dilemmas, and nuanced realities that mirror and relate to the unpredictability of real life. Unlike self-help books, fiction does not claim to have all the answers. Instead, it allows readers to explore questions and reflect. Through narrative, we see stories unfold, and identities evolve, a process that encourages that deeper reflection rather than passive consumption of advice. 

In many ways, fiction teaches us indirectly what self-help tries to teach directly. It develops our ability to understand others, cope with uncertainty, and make sense of our own experiences while also telling compelling stories that lets you relax from stresses in your life. 

Ultimately, reading fiction broadens our perspective, challenges our assumptions, and helps us navigate life with greater awareness, and fiction books often have dragons so what’s not to like? 

If you are unsure of what your next fiction read should be, check out our latest Instagram post for World Book and Copyright Day. Happy reading!