Taking a long view of American finance (they include the debate between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton over the responsibilities of the First Bank of the United States), coauthors Simon Johnson and James Kwak analyze the current economic situation, how it came to pass, and what must be done to prevent the next financial calamity. They place much of the blame on the financial sector's political pull, claiming that this has prevented (and will continue to prevent) the reform needed to fix the system. If the hold list is long for this well-reviewed bestseller, try reading the informative blog the two authors write together. It's called The Baseline Scenario.

There's a silver lining to getting fired, according to coauthors Kitty Martini and Candice Reed--it gives you the chance to ask yourself what you really want to do next. Do you want to consult? Freelance? Start a different career altogether? Packed with straightforward advice on everything from picking yourself up to entering growth markets, this encouraging guidebook is "an invaluable resource" (Publishers Weekly). As a plus, it was co-written by a freelance journalist (Reed) and a self-confessed expert on getting fired (Martini, who's also a comedian and an entrepreneur).

Target audience: People looking to get more joy from their job—either in their current position or in the next phase of life. Those with some work experience to draw from will be better able to complete the book’s self-assessments and understand how to apply the lessons on the job.

Best advice: Use your own unique talents and strengths to find the right job. The fast and easy Enneagram (“any-a-gram”) self-assessment test, similar to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, reveals how strongly an individual leans toward one of nine personality types: Reformer, Helper, Achiever, Individualist, Investigator, Loyalist, Enthusiast, Challenger or Peacemaker. In-depth chapters then help you understand your type, including strengths you bring to the job, what you need in the workplace in order to be happy and what areas you may need to work on. Each chapter ends by helping you prioritize your strengths and determine which careers may be a good fit for your type.

Biggest surprise: The accuracy of the personality types can truly be an eye-opener. My type (Observer) felt like a perfect fit, and it was easy to identify the types of my spouse and friends. Also surprising: how much information is available at the authors’ website.

-- Stephanie Gerber

Financial journalist Bartiromo and coauthor Whitney suggest how to identify what really matters in life, with lessons (laws) on enduring hard times. Faced with enormous challenges, people are often able to reevaluate the meaning of success and develop a life plan for building success from failure. The 10 laws the authors present include self-knowledge, vision, initiative, courage, integrity, and resilience. For instance, the authors' law on resilience counsels: keep standing (in times of crisis); play to win every time; prosper from failure; don't waste energy on outrage; and write your own epitaph every day (How do you want to be remembered?). This how-to book is distinguished by presenting Bartiromo's personal and professional experiences and the wisdom she has gleaned from her varied encounters. The authors conclude, "You can't always control the way you are judged by others, but you can live your life in such a way that you can look yourself in the mirror and feel content."

-- Booklist

The Job-Hunter's Survival Guide comes from the author of the annually updated, perennial bestseller What Color is Your Parachute? If that book helps you identify which jobs and careers match your skills, then this one is a distilled, essentials-only guide to finding those jobs. If you're actively looking for a job right now, you'll know that it can be a challenging, dispiriting search, but Richard Nelson Bolles has taken his decades of experience and condensed them into a short, informative book that will help you figure out what you need to do to land a job. For, as Bolles says in his first chapter, "there are always jobs out there."

This step-by-step reference for stay-at-home moms offers advice on reentering the workforce as well as an exploration of the trade-offs that working moms might face. Along with sample résumés and a list of other resources, Back on the Career Track also discusses career options after time away from the working world and shares tips on self-marketing and reintegrating with formerly junior co-workers. As Business Week puts it, "For those who say you can't go back, this book is the definitive rebuttal." If this one's already checked out, try Mary Quigley's Going Back to Work.

Losing your job may feel like the end of the world, but career counselors Richard and Terri Deems are here to assure you that that is not the case--and then help you move on to what's next. Starting by addressing what you may be feeling, they go on to explain, step by step, what you can do to get your next job. Their system, which is most appropriate for professionals and workers at the level of management, takes a lot of commitment, but the end result will be a better job than the one you lost.

This well-reviewed book by bestselling author Harvey Mackay draws on real-life stories to explain how to rebuild confidence in oneself, take advantage of the way hiring decisions are made, and blend the latest online tools with old-fashioned face-to-face networking. Starting early in the process (one chapter addresses the seven danger signs of impending job loss), Mackay's useful advice is appropriate for job seekers of any age or experience level. If the hold list is long for this one, try Mackay's We Got Fired! for inspiration and a pick-me-up.

Whether you're in your 40s, 50s, or 60s, career counselor Robin Ryan wants you to know that there are jobs out there for you, and that there are ways that you can update your search strategies to take advantage of your strengths. Though she counsels that you need to be prepared for hiring managers who are concerned about your age (perhaps fearing an outdated management style or discomfort with new technologies), she argues that, sometimes, simple fixes can help (looking up-to-date is a good first step, for example). She'll also take you through updating your résumé and cover letter; all in all, her advice is "essential reading" (Publishers Weekly).