[Aerroon]

It's likely that self-help books do help some people, but only some. The disconnect people have is probably a result of different self-help books being suitable for different people in a way that we have a hard time defining. Eg imagine a self-help book catered towards introverts. Extroverts might not find it all that helpful, but be unable to realize why, yet their (introvert) friend swears that it was enormously helpful. Some (small) group of people feel that the book was helpful to them. They got that kick from it that started their engine. Another group might get it from another book.

Combine this with people liking new things and I think it explains a significant part of the self-help book industry. And why do people write them? Money, but also the same reason we write comments here. It somehow feels good to share your opinion, regardless whether you say you're an authority or are just sharing an opinion you're not completely sure of.