Law, especially for the do-it-yourself-ers: Elf Defense by Esther Friesner.

For the customer who is grieving for his dead wife, American Gods and Solaris should cheer him right up.

Dune makes a fine substitute for Bradshaw: On the Family. Family dysfunction at its finest.

I'd give The Tombs of Atuan to those seeking Alice Miller's seminal work on harmful childhoods, The Drama of the Gifted Child.

De Lint's Memory and Dream is a fine substitute for Cameron's The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity.

His writing tended however to be extremely gender imbalanced as regards recognition that women are people as opposed to objects/conveniences/trophies to award/etc.

I agree, although my first thought there was Brust's The Sun, The Moon, and The Stars.

May I recommend Lovecraft's "Colour Out of Space"?

[I'm assuming for the purposes of this thread that nonfiction by genre writers is off-limits; that is, if someone is looking for The Artist's Way LeGuin's Steering the Craft probably isn't on the shelves either, so it's as well we have the DeLint.

But let's see:

Dealing with bullies (or assholes in general) Madeleine L'Engle's A Wind In The Door.

Facing mortality: Don Saker's The Leaves of October.

For gender identity issues, The Left Hand of Darkness.

For sibling relations, Brothers in Arms, Mirror Dance, etc.

For shopaholics, Barrayar.

Depressed about the loss of your ancestral traditions? Read Mike Resnick's Kirinyaga.

How to Get Your Nerd Fiance to See a Musical with you -- How Much for Just the Planet?

How To Win Friends and Influence People -> A Civil Campaign

Rymenhild @ 22:

I first read Delia Sherman as Delia Smith, which would be a very different book.

For adult women dealing with reconciling themselves to their mothers' complicity in their fathers' physical abuse, McCaffrey's Dragonsong and Dragonsinger can be a useful point of departure.

Issues around being "high-potential", "underperforming" and abused: The Merro Tree (Waitman).

A variety of issues, such as those of the construct of femininity, the role of trust in platonic intimacy, coming out, etc., can be touched on from Gossamer Axe (Baudino).

That's three off the top of my head. I'm somewhat more likely to recommend short stories and movies, actually. Regardless, I don't generally recommend stories just based on broad issues (Ender's Game being as close to an exception as you can get), but on a sense that the way a story captures or explores an issue is a close match for the personality and perspective of the client.

And the clients do it too, invoking books they've read, movies they've seen, which they identify with. I had one young client tell me he really identified with "Bridge to Terebithia" (the movie). I made a link to another through his love of Harry Potter.

And for someone who's having trouble working out who they are (or how old they are, or what planet they're from) Hexwood is the ultimate reference. It's also useful for those who hear disembodied voices.

Starting an organic garden, "Farmer in the Sky" by Robert Heinlein.

For weed control in your organic garden - "The Day of the Triffids" by John Wyndam.

Pest control in urban areas, "Rats" by Frank Herbert.
................................

Problems of cross-cultural adoptions = "Stranger in a Strange Land," Robert Heinlein

"The Midwich Cuckoos" John Wyndam

and several helpful books dealing with close cross-cultural relationships by Philip Jose Farmer,
..............................................

A new look at Freudian beliefs in a religious context. "Pyramids" by Terry Pratchett.

More seriously, a number of the Terry Pratchett books are useful for bibliotherapy.

I would also strongly and seriously recommend a book about language, social structure, gender issues and relationships, "Native Tongue" by Suzette Haden Elgin, (in the British Edition by Femina press; this issue has a sampler of the artifical language that is the subject of the book, and the book would be well worth buying just for that sampler.)
...............................................

In short stories, there's an amazing range of Sturgeon available for those who are feeling alone in the universe -- let's start with "A Saucer of Loneliness". "Mr. Costello -- Hero" for those interested in How to Win Friends and Influence People.

For people who feel like like imposters, how about Double Star?

For those who've had it with technology, I recommend Dies the Fire. (Those wishing they could somehow get away from it all should try Island in the Sea of Time, instead. Or perhaps The Probability Broach.)

Customers who need help with their relationship with their brothers can look to The Memory of Earth (Homecoming series) for tips about how to keep their brothers close.

The long-winded can draw many useful lessons on brevity from Teraplane and Emergence.

What else?

I do hope you're kidding. That book is set in a radical feminist dystopia, and the gender issues and social structures there aren't terribly relevant to our society, which while far from a paradise of gender equality doesn't resemble SHE's world much, either. She has linguists as the oppressed exploited Slan class, fhebbinsake! This (and the other two increasingly ridiculous books in the series) isn't about exploring gender relationships, it's about SHE's grotesque nightmare fantasies of what men would do to women if they could get away with it. Yeah, if you're a radicalesbian separatist and you want to influence a woman to cut off all contact with men, go ahead and give her this book (provided you don't mind her laughing at you for such a transparent ploy). Otherwise no.

And also, as I've pointed out elsewhere, the linguistics in them is utter nonsense. SHE's not consistent about whether Sapir-Whorf works, for one thing: Láadan makes a feminist saint of anyone who speaks it, and even positively affects people who've never heard it if they're NEAR people who speak it (no doubt through some kind of linguistic radiation); but the kids who learn to speak those alien languages, complete with cultural biases and inferences (remember when Nazareth pointed out that her aliens were insulting the Earth people?), are not too weird to even function in Earth society, much less interact with each other, as they certainly would be...

...that is, if SHE's ridiculous "Interface" concept would even work at all, which it wouldn't. Natural language acquisition works because the child is forced to use the language for all hir communication needs, all the time, and interacts with adults who are speaking the language as they go about their daily activities in the child's presence. A couple of hours a day staring at each other in a box won't do shit. And IIRC it's ONE alien per Interface; no opportunity for conversation in the alien language at all.

When I read the third book, wherein she posits that people don't actually need to eat if they sing a lot, I concluded that either a) that was her way of saying "Good grief, people! This series is a JOKE! This is a SENDUP of radical feminist dystopias!" OR b) she really is just a total flaming nutbar. Actually I assumed the former at the time; information acquired since has inclined me to the latter.

(I heart TSNotD.)

Political fatigue and frustration: the Transmetropolitan series.

Having trouble adjusting to a new career: American Gods.

Struggling to save? Do you feel like every time you get your life together, something comes along and knocks it all down again?: Job: A Comedy of Justice

P.S. Welcome!

Winning friends/influencing people: Bellwether

Crisis of faith: The Sparrow, or perhaps Hell is the Absence of God.

I'd note that Foreigner (I've only read the first one) might well be good for autistic-spectrum types, in terms of dealing with a society that just doesn't think like them. (And as an aside, her atevi(sp?) are certainly among the best Cambellian aliens I've seen.)

L'Engle's A Wrinkle In Time might be good for someone who's struggling to deal with a family member on the autistic spectrum.

I'm not sure this would be a good thing, but Philip K. Dick's Valis trilogy gives a disturbingly close look into the mind of a psychotic person.

And just to go over to the Snarky Side for a moment, if someone asked "how to convert an evilutionist", I'd have no compunction about handing them Robert Charles Wilson's Darwinia.

And, before Serge beat me to the recommendation, I was going to suggest The Colour Out of Space to those trying to decide between organic gardening methods and chemical and genetic enhancement.

(Gur thl'f orra qbhoyl phg bss sebz gur hygen-grpu gerngzragf bs Rnegu -- ohg gur cynarg vf fcrpvsvpnyyl qrfpevorq nf orvat rfcrpvnyyl evpu va yvguvhz! Gbb onq gur pbybal'f bayl "qbpgbe" jnf genvarq nf n qragvfg....)

For those dealing with anxiety about the modern world, I should think a read of The Doomsday Book should put things in perspective.

And of course the Chronicles of Amber for anyone seeking help with their dysfunctional family.

For low self-esteem, I'd have to recommend Deep Secret.

Or for anyone simply in need of empowerment in the face of the world's darkness, Diane Duane's So You Want to Be A Wizard sets forth great principles to live by.

And there I go taking the question seriously now! Except for the Zelazny rec, which is probably not the world's best dysfunctional family handbook.

Spin.

(I gave Spin to my father for Christmas. He was chiefly fascinated with the religious angle.)

For those wanting to get rich quickly: Heechee by Fred Pohl.

For those wanting to find ways to get in touch with their small-town roots: And We Will Drink A Fish Together by William Johnson.

Instead of Vocal Education for Dummies, another rec for Dragonsinger

One I'm surprised has yet to be mentioned: World History, Mythology, and Literature 101 - Silverlock

For those dealing with the realities of rape and sexual abuse - Deerskin

I'd get more if I'd go upstairs and look at the collection.

This is really interesting, not just for the fact that some of them crack me up-- mostly the Bujold ones-- but because there are some parts of me I can trace back to books. Right now, I'm doing romance-novel therapy.

work/family balance: Dragonsbane, Caught in Crystal

assertiveness: Ella Enchanted

overeating: Consider Phlebas

compulsive gambling: Last Call

crisis of faith: Apocalypse Door

pet-raising: Her Majesty's Dragon

paranoia: Liane the Wayfarer

(These recommendations are provided with NO WARRANTY, not even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR PURPOSE, to the extent provided by law.)

Dune.

I occasionally used the Litany Against Fear to manage anxiety back when I was a teenager. (This despite never finishing the book. I did quite like the Litany Against Fear, though, even if the Bene Gesserit creeped me the heck out.)

And a serious recommendation for those dealing with childhood sexual abuse and its sequelae: Elizabeth Moon's Once a Hero and the rest of that series.

I found Deerskin pretty intensely triggering, and I only have one incident to trigger. But I agree that it is a good serious recommendation.

One other useful recommendation, for someone dealing with expat issues: The Left Hand of Darkness. Estraven's exile in Orgoryen is useful for overt discussion of the issues, while Genly's book-long case of culture shock is painfully, reasssuringly true.

And, not entirely seriously, for someone with anger management problems, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Damn, that woman can write.

Cosmic ordering: any collection containing the W W Jacobs classic The Monkey's Paw.

Any form of angel-doo-lallogy: Steven Brust, To Reign in Hell, or Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials.

Need to kick your drug habit? Then buy Doc Smith's Lensman series, and broil, sear, vapourise, and blast apart its very atoms with beams of starkly inconceivable ether-straining incandescence instead!

Feeling paranoid? Wondering why the Establishment is so hell-bent on suppressing the wonderful world of the paranormal? Read Eric Frank Russell's Sinister Barrier, and open your eyes...

And we strongly recommend that those who wish to cultivate serenity and patience put in a prompt order for Diane Duane's now-legendary masterwork, The Door into Starlight.

I think of Connie Wills' books as falling into two categories: the light witty humourous tales & the gut-wrenching ones with the high body-count. For the former, try "Bellwether", for the latter, as heresiarch mentioned, "Passage".

Finity's End is also a fine read for dealing with your newly acquired family as a result of re-marriage or adoption, while Rimrunners has some unique advice about living in close quarters, handling interpersonal issues and workplace violence, as well as dealing with PTSD.

All of the Sharing Knife books are also a good look at mixed-partner relationship challenges, family, and major life changes.

A House of Many Ways is a fine take on how to cope with unexpected situations gracefully (although unexpected guests are better handled in Archer's Goon), as is Summon the Keeper.

Family as unexpected and unwelcome guests are, of course, considered in both Conrad's Fate and the Merlin Conspiracy.

For the ADD/Aspergers spectrum, Halting State seems like a fine stand-in for "Relationships for Dummies".

Cyteen and Regenesis are, of course, all about self-discovery, maturity and identity (and arguably have some unique things to say about management style -- Downbelow Station would be my recommendation for management advice in that set, however).

The 'Chrome Circle' books are another possible set for positive reinforcement, and confirming that good things can happen to 'bad' people.

I -think- the story I'm thinking of may be 'the savage mouth' - for dealing with body image issues.

My keyboard is lucky that I wasn't drinking anything.

Xopher, problem is, for pretty much any book that someone here recommends, there are probably at least some people who think it makes no sense and is based on completely wrong or faulty assumptions and so on, and if everyone who thinks that about some book seriously recommended here posts his or her thoughts, we'll end up with the thread being mostly about that.

Anyway! Dealing with adult children: Remnant Population. Preparing to move to a rural area: Neena Gathering.

Finance & business: The Killing Machine
Legal aid: The Face

Cadbury.

> njs @74, overeating: Consider Phlebas

> My keyboard is lucky that I wasn't drinking anything.

My keyboard is lucky that my stomach is empty.

Or you could just fire the idiot making the cuts. Genre fiction sales are up, while most other sections are down.

Now I want to read it. *looks hopefully at Peter and Diane*

On a related subject, did anyone ever figure out what the death of Misha Merlin meant to existing contracts and the ability of their authors to take those books elsewhere? Did MM release things or no?

For how to set good boundaries, run a kingdom, listen to other suggestions and strange parties, - Dealing with Dragons, Searching for Dragons, Calling on Dragons

The ramifications of globalization: The Mote in God's Eye

(Also a good example of fantasy without a single elf, monster, wizard, or magic sword in sight.)

One other useful recommendation, for someone dealing with expat issues: The Left Hand of Darkness. Estraven's exile in Orgoryen is useful for overt discussion of the issues, while Genly's book-long case of culture shock is painfully, reasssuringly true.

I'm just going to say yes and leave it at that.

Geophysics -- Earth, David Brin

Religion/self-help and self-discovery -- Paladin of Souls

How to rebuild in post-apocalyptic world - Postman, David Brin

Modern trench warfare, and gourmet cooking while camping/roughing it -- Rats, Bats and Vats, Dave Freer

Is it within the constraints of the game to call out specific passages? For romantic disappointment, the opening of Chapter 11 of Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grille by Steven Brust, right up to the sentence "I'm so fucking wise."

Addiction... I'm told that Barry B. Longyear's The God Box is very "12-step"-y. Ditto some of his other books. I'm not very good at picking out such themes. His Saint Mary Blue is definitely on-target but doesn't quite meet the criteria of the thread, since although I've seen it shelved with F/SF, it's sort-of-fictionalized autobiography.

Not sure if your shrink is doing you any good? Gateway, by Fred Pohl.

Looking to start your own religion? Try Stranger in a Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein.

Exploring submission and/or politics? Kushiel's Dart, by Jacqueline Carey.

This could go on for days.

I would recommend James Blish's Black Easter. The 'error of religious hubris' message is somewhat undercut by the sequel The Day After Judgment, but the conclusion of that book is equally intriguing.

His book A Case of Conscience might also provide an interesting perspective for this person.

These books all start with an assumption of the truth of religious faith*; it's where they go from there that makes them interesting. Unlike Sagan's book, they would not directly contradict a bedrock principle of this person's life, but might encourage them to adopt a broader view.

* And yes, I realize the faith portrayed is probably too 'Roman Catholic' to be taken at face value by a young earth creationist.

And might I suggest that Stephen King's Just After Sunset short story collection provides one-stop shopping for many of your self-help needs:

"Stationary Bike" might provide a more balanced view of wellness than Thinner;

"The Gingerbread Girl" for coping (more or less) with the loss of a child;

"The Cat From Hell" touches on the ethics of animal testing and provides tips on caring for that difficult pet;

"The Things They Left Behind," provides insight into survivor's guilt;

and "N" is a case study on OCD, though I'm not sure how helpful it is. There is actually a lot of OCD running (pardon the pun) throughout this entire collection.

Other stories touch on the afterlife, miracles, positive thinking, negative thinking, and personal growth.

Come to think, I'm not sure what else a self-help customer would need beyond a collection of the works of Stephen King (and perhaps his bio), except maybe a nightlight and a lock for the closet door . . .

*An amazingly useful topic to study. I read one book on this topic when my dad was negotiating contracts for the town, and learned some very valuable skills.

Oh, and let's not forget all of Bujold's vor books for body-image issues...

Of course, there are also sff books and stories that would exacerbate pretty much any condition you prescribed them for. (I just left an anthology containing "The Cold Equations" on the shelf at the local library book sale.)

For parents shocked by their children's sex/family structures, I'd say Tanya Huff's The Enchantment Emporium, mostly because it makes, "Dad, Mom, I'm gay," seem so conservative.

Stephenson's The Big U is for fresh-people just entering uni.

Recommended for those interested in music history of the 80's, Bull's War for the Oaks.

Information specific to Aztec deities can be found in Lackey's Burning Water.

And Terry Pratchett's Nation definitely goes under death, grieving, and recovery. Also, everyone should read it as an instruction book in how to be human.

(I won't say a word against Twilight in her presence; it's the only thing I've ever seen her carry around and read for pleasure. She's always struggled with reading and doesn't usually enjoy it, but she wouldn't even put down Eclipse for Thanksgiving dinner. I personally find it silly -- and yes, I've read it -- but if she's learning the joy of reading, then more power to it. It would be ideal if it was a springboard to reading better stuff, though.)

Looking for tips on how to tutor your mathematically gifted, but troublemaking, child? Try The Peace War.

Feeling obsessive about your religious obligations? Maybe Xenocide is the book for you.

Unlucky in both love and business? Ready for a long sleep to wash away the pain? Try The Door Into Summer.

Are you an adolescent boy whose buddies all act like apes, and whose girlfriend acts like some kind of alien? Maybe The Uplift War holds some insights for your situation.

You owe me a new nose! That was sweet :)

Lirael would be another fine one for problems fitting in, relationship problems, dealing with friends with problems, and family with unrealistic expectations...

In other words, are you an adolescent boy?

For city planning, Oath of Fealty.

Not The City and The Stars?

Guide to intelligent parenting - Cordelia's Honor/Barrayar and most of the Vor books touch on it in some ways.

Dave, ducking uglily

tackling insomnia

We don't really want to encourage people to buy extremely boring books...

:-)

But it's for the store, man.

For the it-could-be-worse side of insomnia, you could try Beggars in Spain. (This may also be a treatment for Objectivism.)

Marrying into a conservative religious sect? The Honor of the Queen, Flag in Exile, etc.

Extraordinarily empathic? Arrows of the Queen, Arrow's Flight, and Arrow's Fall.

And finally, does your life suck beyond all imagining? Remember, it could be worse! Just ask Vanyel in Magic's Pawn, Magic's Promise and Magic's Price.

Are you an abused prodigy, exploited for your unique talents? Burning Bright.

Or if you're just feeling overly bound by Tradition, check out her new "Hundred Kingdoms" series, starting with The Fairy Godmother.

Guide to intelligent parenting - Cordelia's Honor/Barrayar and most of the Vor books touch on it in some ways.

Oh, yes. In particular, I'd recommend Barryar and A Civil Campaign for recommendations on discussing sex and relationships.

And apologies, the value thereof, and the proper manner of making them.

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever

Hoping to avoid getting weaker and less mentally sharp as you age? Perhaps the formula for you lies in Protector.

Tired of the job you have had for a hell of a long time, and ready for a new life? A Season of Mists is your ticket to a new life. (But you may end up finally having to give the devil his due.)

Think you're fighting with the same people over and over and over? The Worm Ouroboros.

Need to get around the Boston subway system? At the Mountains of Madness.

OMG yes. Right now, the phrase "cinnamon rolls as big as your head" is waddling around my brain and tempting me to ruin my supper.

Also, thanks to those who recommend it as a deTwilightification aid; next time a friend gushes to me about those awful books, instead of simply biting my tongue and looking like I swallowed a fly, I will remember instead to say, "If you liked those, you'll love Sunshine - and you should probably get ahold of the movie Let The Right One In* while you're at it."

*Hopefully I won't have to clarify that one with "Not the remake, I'm afraid; the original, with subtitles." Hopefully the plans to remake it in English and set it in Colorado are just a terrible nightmare from which we will all awake laughing in the bright morning.

--

Feeling like you can't trust your family, and suffering guilt over it? Suffer no more. Diana Wynne Jones's Chronicles of Chrestomanci will vindicate you.

And if you don't want to navigate the Boston subway system, or are considering buying property in the North End, may I recommend the short story "Pickman's Model"?

The Spiral Hunt by Margaret Ronald.

How to Feel Sorry for Yourself Ad Nauseum just wouldn't make a good name for a book, and wouldn't sell through in the bookstore. (I hope.)

Marilee #162: <snorfle> As someone once commented about another author, I suspect tCoTC is best recommended for those with a excess of the will to live....

Much earlier, someone referenced Barrayar as a guide for shopaholics. When would be a good time to mention casually that I have a a lovely canvas bag from Sieglings of Vorbarra?

Memory Improvement: We Can Remember It For You Wholesale

Or you could just refile most of the genre under Travel and Travel Writing, some of it under Magical Realism in the Literature section, put half of Jhereg in the Cooking section next to the Nero Wolfe books you stashed their last year when you had to close out the Mystery section, anything with swords into Sports, and that'll leave you room to put the Global Warming Is A Commie Plot books into Science Fiction so the Head Office can dispose of it.

And you could take care of the Head Office problem by filing Highlander under Management...

The Bone Doll's Twin et sequelae have some fascinating gender dysmorphia stuff in them, though I don't feel sufficiently familiar with the real world side of that to comment on its utility.

One of the brand new hires had been very enthusiastic and industrious that morning. I walked in to find all 70 copies of Heinlein's JOB face-out in Business and Careers.

I couldn't bear to change it for three days, and only did so because my manager was afraid the General Office would whack us if they found out. But oh, the glory of it. And the appropriateness!

Well, I see your point, but your phrasing puts me more in mind of Use of Weapons.

*shudder*

Careers in Hollywood? Remake, Connie Willis.

Learning to listen to yourself? Night Watch, by Terry Pratchett.

Time Management? Thief of Time, also by Terry Pratchett.

Michael Roberts, Connie Willis is one of my all time favorite writers, and To Say Nothing of the Dog one of my favorite books. I even named my cat Penwiper.

Linkmeister, I am soooo glad I did not have anything in my mouth when I saw your suggestion regarding War of the Worlds, or I would have needed a new keyboard.

167: nice one... I hope you carry around a bowling ball or large watermelon in it to give the full effect.

Ajay @178: I should, shouldn't I? Especially a large chunk of watermelon, to get the liquid effects as well.

Back on topic: want to learn the effective habits of successful people? The entire Conan series will give you step by step guidance as you rise to a position of power.

Need an introduction to IT and cybersecurity? Check out To Summon the Keeper by Tanya Huff.

David Harmon, #165, well, people want to live who don't whine all the time.

How to say no when pressured to say yes? The Cold Equations.

How to deal with new cultures: The Final Reflection.

Napoleon complex? The Essential Ellison.

Does Dianetics count as science fiction?

Switching to short fiction, want help staking that mining claim in a distant locale? Terry Carr's The Dance of the Changer and the Three.

I also meant to say "Siegling's of Vorbarr Sultana".

I would say yes. But does it count as 'self-help'?

*But I think I could come up with better ways for me to deal with their excess cash.

Dianetics must be the book you recommend to people who want to cure both their excess cash problem* and their understanding of empiricism and logic.

*But I think I could come up with better ways for me to deal with their excess cash.

Brings to mind a startling search result I got on Google: "Hercules Grytpype-thynne is on Facebook." Not a link I want to investigate, thank you...

Hero's Crown for keeping moving when you're wounded and exhausted and just want to lay down and stop, but know things will be much worse if you don't deal with them. Actually, all of McKinley's works are excellent balm for the spirit.

Barry Hughart's Number Ten Ox series is excellent for anorexics who resist the thought of recovery, but keep in mind that most anorexia cannot be cured without addressing the zinc deficiency--- food "[won't] taste right." (Harrumph. Another topic for another day.) A pebble against the tsunami, sure, but enough pebbles...

At the other end of the spectrum, Elizabeth Moon's fantasy plus Speed of Dark for otherwise decent-hearted people who do not seem to realize that their personal chaos can have a negative impact upon those who surround them.

... if you can get around it it, that is...

"Hero's Crown" - do you mean "The Hero and the Crown"? I'll second the recommendation.

Also how to lay siege to an impregnable city.

A friend's only response to this story was, "A chain bookstore had 70 copies of Heinlein's JOB? Wow!"

How to run a bed & breakfast: The Keeper Series - Tanya Huff

Building a customer base for your auto repair shop (albeit slowly):
The Mercedes Thompson Series - Patricia Briggs

How to avoid taking over the family business... or not: Industrial Magic - Kelley Armstrong

Making the most of a working vacation: Shadrach in the Furnace - Robert Silverberg