Oliver James trained and practised as a child clinical psychologist and, since 1988, has worked as a writer, journalist, broadcaster and television documentary producer and presenter. His books include the bestselling They F*** You Up, Affluenza, Contented Dementia and Office Politics. www.oliver-james-books.com

This new series of The School of Life's self-help books build on the strengths of the first, tackling some of the hardest issues of our lives in a way that is genuinely informative, helpful and consoling. Here are books that prove that the term "self-help" doesn't have to be either shallow or naive -- Alain de Botton, Founder of The School of Life The School of Life offers radical ways to help us raid the treasure trove of human knowledge Independent on Sunday

Oliver James trained and practised as a child clinical psychologist and, since 1988, has worked as a writer, journalist, broadcaster and television documentary producer and presenter. His books include the bestselling They F*** You Up, Affluenza, Contented Dementia and Office Politics. www.oliver-james-books.com

This new series of The School of Life's self-help books build on the strengths of the first, tackling some of the hardest issues of our lives in a way that is genuinely informative, helpful and consoling. Here are books that prove that the term "self-help" doesn't have to be either shallow or naive -- Alain de Botton, Founder of The School of Life The School of Life offers radical ways to help us raid the treasure trove of human knowledge Independent on Sunday