AntiCelebrity.net

via PhotobucketThe first to admit that I'm 'the Daria', my approach with friends is quality not quantity. My self confidence whiplashes from Little Miss Ego to Little Miss Good-to-No-One.

People fascinate me yet can make or break my day, resulting in enjoying my own company/world alot.

That said, promises of being perpetually confident and popular are attractive. The latest addition to my hardrive has been the Popular Instruction Manual from ThePopularClub.com.

The sales pitch on the website is ballsy, kicking phrases around like 'Make People Like, Respect, and Befriend You' and 'I'm better than everybody.'

Obviously written to address everyone's inner loser, it's very easy to get sucked in, the promises this guy makes include:

• how to alter the backbone of your personality, which governs how you think and behave, to automatically act in a socially superior manner

• how to remove feelings of doubt, fear and uncertainly in social situations

And a whole bunch of skills that anybody would benefit from. So, I caved and here's my review:

Beyond the I'm right, you're wrong writing style, there's some good information here. Some I've read in other self help books, but this is utilitarian and straight to the point.

Parts contain some real home truths about the differences between the 'popular' and 'losers'- certainly that my inner loser was nodding her head to.

His direct style, including lots of swearing did have me laughing out alot. Some of the methods suggested to make friends were too number game and calculated for my liking. That said, the sales page says it uses manipulative psychology.

I disagree with his black and white approach that being popular equals happy (the writer would probably call me a loser for saying!), but this book is designed with that one goal in mind.

So, my approach for this book... cherrypick. It's got some great bits I certainly will use to socially push myself (a little!).

I think there is happiness in the compromise of achieving a social life/skills that serves you better, without completely changing who you are either.

Certainly a quicker, more direct read than the classic How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie . The audio tracks do include some little gems too.

Put on your thick skin to read this one, and use the bits that work for you.

(*The Veronicas - Popular)