Calgary Public Library suggests books to battle the downturn

It's hard to shop for that special someone who's been tossed out of work. As Calgary goes through a recession, there's a whole lot of people with a whole lot of time on their hands.

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But there's always hope, perhaps achance for career reinvention. And Christmas is a great time to sit back and read your way to a better future.

1) For the job-seeker

Knock'em Dead: The ultimate job search guide, 2015 byMartin John Yate

Job interviews are a lot more than just simple answers to simple questions.The newest edition in this popular series provides excellent advice for job seekers on all aspects of the search.

2)Slim-pickins' out there

What color is your parachute? Apractical manual for job-hunters and career-changers byRichard N. Bolles

We've all heard this commongripe uttered during a downturn:"There are no jobs out there." Whether you are looking, or justtrying to figure out where you want your career to go next, this excellent series has sold more than 10 million copies since it began being published in the 1970s.

3) Aim to win

Strategize to Win: The new way to start out, step up, or start over in your career byCarla A. Harris

Climbing the career ladder isn't what it used to be. If you want to make a change, you're going to need a plan. In this book Carla Harris coaches readers to identify their strengths, avoid common pitfalls and work towardthe results they want in their careers and lives.

4)Attitude is everything

Who moved my cheese? : An amazing way to deal with change in your work and in your lifebySpencer Johnson

Good or bad, change is a fact of life. In this book, Dr. Spencer Johnson covers strategies for coping with and managing uncertainty and he uses the charmingmetaphor of mice and their desire for cheese.

5)Budgetingbetter whenbroke

Brokenomics: 50 ways to live the dream on a dime byDina Gachman

Dina Gachmandetails how a small budget can translate into big results. With a little humour along the way,she providesexamples of how to stretch your dollars and live life to the fullest.

6) Meals made easy

Good and Cheap: eat well on $4/day byLeanne Brown

Eating on the cheap doesn't have to taste like it. This cookbook provides easy and healthy recipes to do on a dime, and tips on how to be a budget-conscious shopper.

7)Thrifty theories

Frugal isn't Cheap: Spend less, save more, and live betterbyClare K. Levison

Clare Levison's financial advice bookargues thatmaking room for little indulgences along your saving journey will help youfeel better about your choices.

8)Personal potential

The Economy of You: Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur and Recession-Proof Your Life byKimberly Palmer

If you are wanting to supplement your income by establishing a microbusiness, you'll find plenty ofideas in this book. Kimberly Palmer believes anyone can do it.

9) Thepath to happiness

The Happiness Project: Orwhy I spent a year trying to sing in the morning, clean my closets, fight right, read Aristotle, and generally have more fun byGretchenRubin

Can money really buy happiness? Do we need to radically change our lives?Popular author Gretchen Rubindescribes her year-long journey to discover how to better enjoy her life and become a happier person.

10)Don't give up

Rising strong: the reckoning, the rumble, the revolution byBren Brown

Like the old adage "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again"BrenBrown asks avariety of people to share their inspiring stories of conquering difficulty and how they became stronger out of the process.

11) Trials become triumphs

Not quite a baker's dozen, but here's a bonus book for good measure.

The School of Greatness: Areal-world guide to living bigger, loving deeper, and leaving a lasting legacy byLewis Howes

When author Lewis Howe'scareer as a pro-athlete was suddenly cut short by an injury, he didn't let that stop him. Readers are brought along his journey offinding purpose and redefining success.

CBC Calgary's special focus on life in our city during the downturn. A look at Calgary's culture, identity and what it means to be Calgarian. Read more stories from the series at Calgary at a Crossroads.