Topic: Self-Help

Commencement season: Speakers share inspiration, insight, and advice with college grads

It’s college graduation season and the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” which began in late April, will be heard at commencement ceremonies until mid-June. Many more speeches have yet to be given that impart the usual pearls of wisdom and advice on pursuing dreams, being daring, and contributing to society. Here’s a sampling of excerpts from speeches given to graduates around the country.

10 best self-help books of all time

From Benjamin Franklin to Norman Vincent Pearle to Stephen Covey, here are 10 of the best self-help books ever written.

Android: Can an app improve social skills?

Android app is designed for socially awkward people. The AwkTalk app, winner of a competition, lets students with Android-based machines meet and rate each other's social skills. 

10 books for a good cry

Author Hallie Ephron recommends the best literary tear-jerkers.

Underemployed? Make a too-easy job work for you

The hours can go to waste quickly at a low-demand job. Here are a few ways to make the most of your time.

Why I won't miss Oprah after her last show

'The Oprah Winfrey Show' ends May 25 but others who dispense wisdom will fill that American demand for self-help advice. Oprah had her turn, and knew when to quit.

12 books Seth Godin thinks you should read

Nonprofit group TED asks some of the world's most fascinating thinkers to share both ideas and reading lists. Here's a list of the 12 books recommended by entrepreneur and marketing guru Seth Godin.

You bought it. Are you happy?

Money can make you happier – to a point – but not in the way you think.

India's $5 billion microfinance industry faces backlash over profits

The role of profit-driven companies in India's microfinance industry is raising concerns about its social mission.

Book review: Psych Yourself Rich

Every Sunday, The Simple Dollar reviews a personal finance book or other book of interest.

Essential skills you didn’t learn in college

Everyone learned useful skills in college: How to wire a hotplate without shorting out your room. How to write a 6-page paper in an hour. Life requires a different skillset.

In India, warnings of a microfinance bubble

Lending to the poor has proved so profitable in India that microfinance institutions saw their loan portfolio jump from $252 million to $2.5 billion in two years, raising fears of a subprime-like microfinance bubble.

'Harry Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe to make Broadway musical debut

Daniel Radcliffe will star in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" early next year.

Oprah: New talk show will take her around the world

Oprah Winfrey’s new show will debut in 2011, after ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ closes shop, and will travel abroad to interview guests in their own backyard.

Living Oprah

A writer spent a year asking herself: What would Oprah do?

Bright-Sided

Is feel-good actually bad?

Good books in bad times

What are Americans really reading?

Review: 'Choke'

Adaptation of Palahniuk novel is a dark comedy about sexual addiction and mothers and sons.

Self-help books get the 'tough love' treatment

Once known for gentle cheerleading and encouragement, the genre now berates readers with 'you're an idiot' messages.

Actually, happiness isn't within

Some cultures are simply better at producing happy citizens than others.