c.216p. ISBN 978-1-59580-029-9. pap. $12.95. HUMOR

Phillips, who has written for publications ranging from the National Lampoon to Newsweek International, here presents-to quote the book’s promotional material-”the essential primer on how best to despise yourself!” This assessment isn’t far off: Phillips has written a gleefully sardonic guide to self-condemnation and disapproval that offers up wisdom in bite-size morsels. Short chapters are broken up with quizzes, “questions from the floor,” tips, and inspiration boxes.

Although the material isn’t groundbreaking-Phillips mentions self-loathing through abuse of food, bad love relationships, or demeaning family dynamics-the deftness with which she ties it all together makes this a delightful read. The sections on meta-self-loathing and spiritual self-loathing add an unexpected bit of flavor as well. Phillips is a self-described media tramp, and, as such, many of her examples will best resonate with those who follow celebrity news. This smart, accessible title-good for sit-down comic reading and with outstanding sound-bite potential-will entertain audiences from precocious high schoolers to retirees. A good choice for all public collections; academic libraries may also wish to consider.

-Audrey Snowden, Cleveland P.L.

From “T Beauty” magazine, the New York Times fashion supplement, April 13th, 2008.

If you click this picture it will get BIGGER! But, in case you still can’t read it, here’s the text:

The New York-based writer Lynn Phillips is a self-loather and proud of it. “I have an allergy to people telling me to cheer up,” she says. Phillips, who was once a writer on the cult 70’s television show “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” has even written a book called “Self-Loathing for Beginners” (Santa Monica Press) that covers the basics for thoughtful cynics and all those who “respond better to gloomier encouragement.” (Chapter 1 has a section called “Self-Love—Friend or Foe?”) Phillips was kind enough to present the first annual self-loathing awards for this issue (And the Winner Is…” Page 26*); naturally, she turned her weary wit to some of the fashion industry’s worst culprits. She cites a history of people saying good things about dark moods, such as the psychologist William James and the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (center), whom she calls a master of the genre: “He even relocated humanity in the universe so we realized how pathetic and small we are.”

*NOTE: The article to which this squib refers was actually on p. 28, not p 26.

PAIGE WISER pwiser@suntimes.com

The bad news? I have recently spent actual money on:

• • • A lavishly illustrated book by one of the “Biggest Loser” trainers, a show I have never watched.
• • • A 2008 page-a-day calendar for “Women Who Do Too Much,” which I have not yet bothered to take out of the box.
• • • And Scrabble for my cell phone. I figured I could keep my mind sharp by playing myself and improving my strategy skills.

You guessed it. I cheat.

Clearly, I hate myself. But there is good news: It turns out that I am directly on top of a trend, which is documented in the new book Self-Loathing for Beginners.

Author Lynn Phillips explains that, even if you sometimes love yourself, that should never stop you from loathing yourself, too. As an example, she offers up Oprah Winfrey — a woman equally known for her philanthropy and her yo-yo dieting.

“Oprah is able to layer her public self-love and private self-loathing like low-fat whipped cream and sugar-free Jell-O so that both can be tasted distinctly, but at the same time,” writes Phillips.

(The book is so smart and densely funny that several times I had to pause, just to hate myself for not writing it.)

Chicago: Capital of self-loathing

Phillips knows that we talk a good game. As Americans, we like to pride ourselves on democracy and diversity. The truth is that globally, we are considered a superficial, dangerous country absorbed in a never-ending pursuit of self-improvement . . . which inevitably leads to credit card debt and Cheetos binges.

And as Chicagoans, forget about it. We insulate ourselves from the preposterous weather with layers of parkas and fat. We root ferociously for losing sports teams. We call ourselves the Midwest, when anyone with a map can see that we are much more Upper Right. We are the Capital of Self-Loathing.