By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review

Now that 2016 has arrived, it’s time to get busy working on those New Year’s resolutions. While some have to do with fulfilling lifelong dreams, most seem to be about bettering oneself, whether it be in areas of the body, mind or spirit.

Here are five popular, recently released self-help books that just might be the ticket to helping you embark on a new path toward enlightenment and personal achievement.

“Awesome in Hours: 7 Easily Obtainable Qualities, 35 Practical Take-Aways to Becoming an Awesome Individual”

— Michale Unks

For those who wish to live an awesome life instead of mediocre one, Unks offers tips on how to bring out one’s greatness through five easy steps. He claims awesomeness lies inside everyone, even though few people tap into it and share it with the world.

In under two hours, Unks promises he can teach the reader how to go from having a boring life to one more magical than they ever imagined. The author makes his points by presenting out-of-the box ideas he says will inspire readers to make immediate and significant changes in their lives.

“Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind”

— Scott Barry Kaufman, Carolyn Gregoire

“Wired to Create” is built around the idea that something as elusive as creativity can be scientifically explained.

Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman’s and writer/researcher Carolyn Gregoire say their book offers a glimpse inside the “messy minds” of highly creative people. Along with revealing the latest findings in neuroscience and psychology on the subject, Kaufman and Gregoire shine a light on the practices and habits of minds that promote creative thinking.

Each chapter explores one of the 10 attributes and habits of highly creative people, such as imaginative play, passion, daydreaming and sensitivity. Additionally, the book offers insights from the work and lives of Pablo Picasso, David Foster Wallace, Thomas Edison, Josephine Baker, John Lennon, Michael Jackson and other creative minds throughout history.

“Abundance Now: Amplify Your Life & Achieve Prosperity Today”

— Lisa Nichols, Janet Switzer

Lisa Nichols, a life coach for “The Steve Harvey Show” and “Today,” offers steps everyone can take to create abundance in their career, relationships and finances.

Nichols claims to have learned the secrets to success through her struggles as a single mom on public assistance, jumping from one job to the next. She tells how her determination to break out of the defeatist mindset and negative behavior put her on the path to living the life of her dreams.

Her writing focuses on what she calls the 4 Es — enrichment, enchantment, engagement and endowment. By using Nichols’ provocative lessons, actionable plans and real-life case-studies, she says everyone can acquire the abundance they seek.

“Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges”

— Amy Cuddy

Author Amy Cuddy teaches readers how to access their personal power and achieve presence, .the state in which one quits worrying about the impression they are making on others and instead adjusts the impression they’ve been making on themselves.

The author says people don't need to embark on a grand spiritual quest or complete an inner transformation to harness the power of presence. Instead, they need to nudge themselves, moment by moment, by tweaking their body language, behavior and mind-set.

Along with offering simple techniques to find presence, Cuddy also shares stories of individuals who learned how to flourish during the stressful moments that once terrified them. She says every reader will learn how to approach their biggest challenges with confidence instead of dread and to move on from them with satisfaction instead of regret.

“Break Through Your BS: Uncover Your Brain's Blind Spots and Unleash Your Inner Greatness”

— Derek Doepker

In “Break Through Your BS,” Doepker asks the reader to ponder what type of BS is holding them back from the greatness they desire and deserve. He says whether it be excuses, limiting belief systems or hidden blind spots created by a biased brain, they all can be broken through using his simple and tested techniques.

Readers who are looking for clarity and want to make sense out of the negativity in their lives will get a playful poke and sometimes a sobering slap to help them recognize and resolve the BS that is standing in their way of success, Doepker says.

Doepker claims people will come away with not only more compassion and understanding for themselves, but also for others.