Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
The Best Non-Cheesy Self-Help Books To Read During Quarantine
The cover of the book, "How to be Fine," by Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer (Courtesy Harper Collins)
()
Sick of jigsaw puzzles and video conferencing? This weekend, I have some advice: work on becoming a better you.
For tips, I turned to my friends Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer, hosts of the podcast, “By the Book,” and authors of the new book, “How to be Fine.”
“I love being thankful,” said Meinzer, referencing the many books that recommend focusing on gratitude. “I know some of us aren't feeling especially fortunate, but there are still things to be thankful for and it reminds us that, as hard as life feels right now, there are so many people we have to be grateful for.”
Greenberg suggested a dive deep into comedienne Phyllis Diller’s 1966 book, “Phyllis Diller Housekeeping Hints.”
Support for LAist comes from
“My favorite advice is how to hide a dirty sink – keep it full of dirty dishes!” laughed Greenberg. “It's just full of fun tips where it's like, oh right, maybe I don't need to take myself that seriously. [It's helpful to] have a fun, jokey spirit when it comes to housework, because it can feel like the center of the universe right now.”
Personally, I’ve wanted to learn how to better stay connected with my friends and family (even before these stay-at-home orders). Greenberg pulled some advice for me from the e-book, “Pantsdrunk: (Kalsarikanni) The Finnish Path to Relaxation.”
“I was a few apple cider rosés in my own pantsdrunk experience, and I came up with a way to stay connected with friends,” she said, “If I want to tell someone I love them, but I'm not feeling creative or articulate, I'll find a stupid or very silly or maybe a sentimental GIF and just text it to them.”
Meinzer said a similar strategy came out of the book, “Bored and Brilliant,” by Manoush Zomorodi.
“Just write one sentence to people,” she said. “You don't have to worry about the greeting, the conclusion or the ‘how are you’s.’”
The conversation might not be deep, but it can take the pressure off of trying to think of something meaningful to say, in favor of simply staying connected.
Ultimately with any self-help book, though, trust your gut on whether the advice works best for you.
Support for LAist comes from
"Approximately two-thirds of self-help authors are men, and two-thirds of the readers are women," said Meinzer, "so not everybody is writing with somebody like you in mind."
Listen to the full interview below.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
There are no reports of injuries after a blast and ensuing fire, which could be seen for miles on Thursday night. -
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi. -
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding. -
Scientists say La Niña is likely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a dry winter in Southern California. -
According to a grand jury report the contractor took advantage of strained relations and political pressures to “force” the city to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to settle disputes. -
Administrators say the bargaining units should be dismissed, or that they have no standing. One campus is going after the federal agency in charge of union activity.
Best of LAist