This Book Will Save Your Life by A.M. Homes.

Firstly, this isn't a self help book. I didn't buy this because I thought it was a self help book (god forbid if I start doing that). Nor do I think my life is in need of saving. It was on 3 for 2 at Waterstones, and look interesting from the blurb, and shortlisted fo Richard and Judy's Book Club (which I decided was a pretty good reason to buy it).
Anyways, this novel is about Richard Novak, an L.A day trader who has cut himself off from life. Divorced, alone, set on a strict routine. After a shocking experience which lands him in ER, he begins to re-evaluate his life and starts taking opportunities to reach out again. A great mix of characters feature, including Anhil, a quirky immigrant doughnut shop owner; Cynthia, a hysterical, depressed housewife; and Nic, a neighbour who he at first doesn't realise is a famous writer because "he is just as fucked up as everyone else". Richard also manages to help a lot of people out, becoming a so-called Good Samaritan in the city.
Despite being set in LA, with all the stereotypical rich lifestyle perks: nutritionist, personal trainer, silent retreat, housekeeper; I can't get over how well the reader can connect with the main character. You can really sense his life changing and his character learning, growing as the novel wears on. Everyone he encounters seems to have benefitted from knowing him. The plot isn't very exciting, but the style in which Homes writes was engaging enough to keep the pages turning. She even throws in some surprising scenes - Richard's estranged son's drunken ourburst about how he is gay and so very angry at Richard for walking out on him, yet wants to fuck him. It was weird. Sick thoughts, but it really emphasised his son's anger and longing to have a normal relationship with his father. Homes has a way of expressing a lot about the characters through conversation. She uses very fly-on-the-wall angle of writing, as if you are following Richard around in his life since he was in hospital. I found this noval really engaging and the slight humour in the dialogue just made it all the more pleasant. I think the aim of this book is to force us to look at our lives and realise that there is a lot more that life has to offer, to accept change, to work with what's happened in the past. Most of all I think that the reconnection between Richard and his son in such a short amount of time was very well portrayed, through their spontaneous trips to Disneyland and whatnot. Another thing I noticed is that this isn't split into chapters or sections, just a whirlwind of prose. Life shouldn't be split up into sections.
In conclusion. This hasn't saved my life. But it was an awesome read.