The other evening I had the great pleasure of attending the 16th Annual Books for a Better Life Awards at the TimesCenter in New York City. The Awards were given to the best self-improvement books of 2011. Nominated titles fall into ten categories–all designed to inspire and improve our lives. The proceeds from the event benefit the New York City – Southern New York Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for research, support services, and educational programs.
I was there as a member of the publishing industry and supporter of the event, but I was also honored to be inducted into the Awards Hall of Fame. This is a very special recognition for me as it marries two things for which I’m passionate about: inspirational books and a cause that’s close to my heart because I’ve watched friends suffer with MS.
If you’ve read this blog before, you know that personal development is a huge interest of mine. Most every week I listen to motivational speeches and read books that will help me grow in work or in life. I’m fortunate to be in a business whose mission is helping books reach readers. After all, whether a self-help book or a moving piece of fiction, I believe that all books can be transformative and inspiring.
Before I share the winning books, I want to also congratulate Shelley Peterman Schwarz. She received the MS Awareness Award. Shelley has published numerous books and articles about living with a chronic illness. Meet her and you immediately see that her winning attitude and spirit power her life like few without illness can match. All of us who were at the event were inspired by her.
I haven’t read all of the books that were nominated or won an award, but I definitely plan on adding several to my reading list. Here are the 2011 Books for a Better Life nominated titles and Award winners (listed in ALL CAPS):
Childcare/Parenting
10 Mindful Minutes by Goldie Hawn with Wendy Holden
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
MESSAGE FROM AN UNKNOWN CHINESE MOTHER by Xinran (from Scribner)
First Book
In Stitches by Anthony Youn, M.D. with Alan Eisenstock
Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer
The Anti-Romantic Child by Priscilla Gilman
The Long Goodbye by Meghan O’Rourke
DAY OF HONEY by Annia Ciezadlo (from Free Press)
Green
Oceana by Ted Danson
The Nature Principle by Richard Louv
The Ripple Effect by Alex Prud’Homme
World without Fish by Mark Kurlansky
THE NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT by David Sloan Wilson (from Little, Brown and Company) 
Inspirational Memoir
History of a Suicide by Jill Bialosky
How to Get Out of Your Own Way by Tyrese Gibson
Learning to Breathe by Priscilla Warner
One Hundred Names for Love by Diane Ackerman
ENJOY EVERY SANDWICH by Lee Lipsenthal, M.D. (from The Crown Publishing Group) 
Motivational
Better By Mistake by Alina Tugend
Life Gets Better by Wendy Lustbader
The Art of Uncertainty by Dennis Merritt Jones
The Four Desires by Rod Stryker
WHO’S AFRAID OF POST-BLACKNESS? WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLACK NOW by Touré (from Free Press) 
Personal Finance
Financial Recovery by Karen McCall
Lost and Found by Geneen Roth
The Laws of Prosperity by E. Bernard Jordan
The Smartest Portfolio You’ll Ever Own by Daniel R. Solin
CLARK HOWARD’S LIVING LARGE IN LEAN TIMES by Clark Howard with Mark Meltzer and Theo Thimou (from Avery Books)
Psychology
Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson (featured in our Best Covers of 2011 post)
The Secret Life of Pronouns by James W. Pennebaker
The Sibling Effect by Jeffrey Kluger
Willpower by Roy F. Baumeister and John Tierney
THE GEEKS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH by Alexandra Robbins (from Hyperion Books)
Relationships
A Bittersweet Season by Jane Gross
How to Talk to an Autistic Kid by Daniel Stefanski
Missed Connections by Sophie Blackall
The Secret Lives of Wives by Iris Krasnow
SPOUSONOMICS by Paula Szuchman and Jenny Anderson (from Random House) 
Spiritual
Finding Your Way in a Wild New World by Martha Beck
Real Happiness by Sharon Salzberg
Waiting by Marya Hornbacher
Zen Mind, Zen Horse by Allan J. Hamilton, M.D.
HOLY GHOST GIRL by Donna M. Johnson (from GothamBooks) 
Wellness
Better Each Day by Jessica Cassity
Healing Spices by Bharat B. Aggarwal, Ph.D. with Debora Yost
Lunch Wars by Amy Kalafa
The Happiness Diet by Tyler Graham and Drew Ramsey, M.D.
THE LONGEVITY PROJECT by Howard S. Friedman, Ph.D. and Leslie R. Martin, Ph.D. (from Hudson StreetPress)
