J is for... Spencer Johnson

Why are the most basic rules in business the hardest to learn? Spencer Johnson's view is that only by presenting the ideas in the form of a parable can people see the truth that is staring them in the face. Set in a maze Who Moved My Cheese? is about four creatures, two mice hungry for cheese and two tiny humans pleased with the cheese they have found. When the source of cheese dries up it is their next actions which will decide whether they thrive or fail. Doubters say the message is too simple but with over a million in print, this guide to recognising and embracing change as a positive aspect of life will work not just for business but for any part of our lives, from health issues to relationships.

L is for... Body For Life

Bill Phillips had been producing body-building magazines for years when he made an alarming discovery: the majority of his fans were still seriously overweight. As an incentive he created the Physique Transformation Contest (with a sports-car as the prize) and from that program the Body For Life book was born. By inspiring the reader with testimonials and by creating a weight-lifting regime that concentrates on body-changing exercise in short bursts rather than long hours in the gym, his book has been the one to achieve results for many people. Although his program advocates the use of supplements, many people have found the exercises life-changing without them...

M is for... The Measure of a Man

The autobiography The Measure of a Man does not only look back over the life of the only African American actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, but also gives us an insight into the character of a wise and spiritual man. Born dirt-poor in the Bahamas, Sydney Poitier rose to prominence for both his films, such as Lilies of the Field, and on the stage. Although not strictly Christian his faith is based on the Christian values he was raised with, and he is keen to not just recount his past, but to give guidance to his readers in the present. Not in any way high-and-mighty, the tone of this biography is conversational and endearingly self-critical.

O is for... Tawni O'Dell

Chosen as Oprah Winfrey's selection for March 2000, Back Roads by Tawni O'Dell has caused some controversy. Seen by some as the only real depiction of lower-class, crime-ridden manhood, and by others as having too much sex and violence for the ordinary reader, there is no doubt that O'Dell's novel is a compulsive read. Set in "beautiful, ruined" western Pennsylvania the novel follows Harley Altmyer as he walks a raging, self-conscious line between crime and innocence. With his mother is in prison convicted of murdering his abusive father, Harley struggles to bring up his three younger sisters and to fight the rage from his past that threatens to spill out in his present. Strong and disturbing...

P is for... Picture Perfect Weight Loss

In Picture Perfect Weight Loss, Dr Howard M. Shapiro's idea is that if we see foods side by side that may look on the one hand healthy and on the other bad for you, we'll get the message that it's not the amount we eat but what we eat and the calories that each food carries that is important. Thus a sugar free, fat free muffin is pictured with a bowl of fruit and two wholemeal rolls - both have same calorie count - and by choosing the muffin we are depriving ourselves of the mountain of food that we crave as people trying to lose weight. As well as the pictures and the easy-to-read advice, Shapiro also looks at various "faddy" diets. One criticism is that the book does not show meat or poultry choices as the doctor dismisses the non-vegetarian diet as bad for you. Nevertheless it's a informative guide...

R is for... Relationship Rescue

Philip McGraw has appeared many times on Oprah Winfrey and has helped countless individuals take control of their lives with his previous book, Life Strategies. In Relationship Rescue he sets out how we can work on our failing partnerships by being brutally honest to ourselves about who we are and what we want. The seven step guide begins by encouraging self-awareness before turning to sessions where you and your partner talk openly about your feelings. If your relationship is worth saving, and you are willing to put in the work, this is probably the book to help you get there...

S is for... States of Mind

Whether Brad Herzog knew that appearing as a contestant on the US edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? would catapult his little-known travel book, States of Mind into the best-selling lists overnight does not matter, the book is still an admirable slice of Americana. Herzog and his wife criss-crossed the US looking for those small places with states of mind as names such as Love, Virginia, Hope, Mississippi and Comfort, Texas, examining the state of the village today and the history behind its name. Along the way he discusses the meaning of the words themselves... An interesting exploration of little town America.

W is for... Whining: 3 Steps to Stopping It

There can be nothing more irritating to a parent than a child that constantly whines. However what many parents don't realise is that a child whines because it works, they get the attention or the thing they desire. Whining: 3 Steps to Stopping It has three easy steps to dealing with the problem, in a way that both respects the parent and the child. Reviewers are positive about results and in a market flooded with lengthy guides, its simple and short approach makes it easy to read. If you are suffering from a whiney child, and are in danger of becoming a whiney parent, then this is the book for you.

Z is for... Gary Zukav

The reviews I've seen for this are extremely mixed. Gary Zukav is the author of the American Book Award-winning The Dancing Wu Li Masters, in which he explains in layman's terms quantum and particle physics. In the Seat of the Soul he attempts to explain how we are souls first and physical beings second and that the further we are in touch with the spiritual, the better our lives will be. Some believe the book is the answer they have been searching for, others find fault, too scholarly, too simple, not scientific. Whatever they say, all reviewers seem to have a passion either for or against, something of a good sign that the author has opened up a worthwhile debate. Read and make up your own mind...