Five Self-Help Books to Turn 2009 Around

We make the same resolutions every year: be healthier, lose weight, save money, help out the environment, blah blah blah. But how many of us follow through on them past January? Keep some positive reinforcement on your nightstand and bookshelves this year with the following books geared towards the classic goals.

I Want to Get Into a Gratifying Career

The Anti 9 to 5 Guide: Practical Advice for Career Women Who Think Outside the Cube by Michelle Goodman

While it's geared towards gals, guys can also find smart, sassy, and soulful advice from cubicle expat Goodman's TANtFG. With personal experience, Goodman breaks down her first book into sections that appeal to both working for yourself and jumping into a dream career (which may involve a cube and 40 hour workweek). Whether you're looking for flex hours, time to travel, the ability to work for yourself, or fight fires, there's advice to be found in here--and it makes for a great touchpoint throughout the year.

I Want to Stop Being Broke

The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke by Suze Orman

Oh, Suze. Your love for jackets knows no bounds, but your guidelines for financial freedom are still gold in my book. This is a great baseline plan for those who are still getting a handle on their finances (re: debts), and a good reference for when you want to know what to do with your tax return, what your best options are for buying a house, and why you should never, ever, EVER lease a car. What's best about Orman, however, is that she goes past the "Cut back on the lattes and simply save some money" advice that your great-aunt probably tosses your way at every family gathering.

I Want to Go Green

It's Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living by Crissy Trask

It's kind of ironic that the overabundance of books on green living means that there are forests of trees taking one for the team, fortunately Trask's guide is one of the most comprehensive. She doesn't dumb green down or take too much time explaining the obvious or preach to the choir. Rather, she lays out ideas like shifting appliance use to off-peak hours and recipes for eco-friendly house cleaners. Perfect for those who aren't composting in their apartment but would like to start taking steps toward making a difference.

I Want to Quit [Fill in the Blank]

Changing for Good: A Revolutionary Six-Stage Program for Overcoming Bad Habits and Moving Your Life Positively Forward by James O. Prochaska et. al.

Whether you are looking to quit smoking, drop gambling, or curb another nasty habit, Prochaska can help you overcome whatever vice you got. This book is especially helpful for those looking to kick a few habits at once, and while it may seem a little too spiritual/crunchy granola to some, it's full of practical advice that will help banish any bad behavior.

I Want to Lose/Maintain Weight

The Abs Diet and The Abs Diet for Women by David Zinczenko

There are a lot of diet books out there, but Men's Health-spawned Abs Diet books seem to have the best tactics down--and that means tactics that won't drive you crazy or lead you to bingeing at every possible moment. Your superfoods are built around the acronym ABS DIET POWER (which includes Almonds and other nuts, Olive Oil, and Instant unsweetened oatmeal) and recipes are geared towards the famous 6-minute meal for 6-pack abs. Exercise is also discussed, leaving this a great book for re-structuring your lifestyle rather than subscribing to a crash/fad diet.

In need of a more motivational read? Check out Stephanie Klein's Moose: A Memoir of Fat Camp or Shauna Reid's The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl.

Bonus! I Want to Do It All

Helping Me Help Myself: One Skeptic, Ten Self-Help Gurus, and a Year on the Brink of the Comfort Zone by Beth Lisick

Beth's hilarious memoir is a must companion to whatever road of self-betterment you take. In a year, she takes on everything from the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People to extreme organization. Tongue in cheek though it may be, you can still see our heroine change for the better and you'll remember that hey, we're all human.