Are motivational self-help books helpful?

As an agent of hope, I know self-help books are helpful. There are young men and women out there, desperate for guidance, and the adults in their lives are failing them every day. I think back to my childhood and adolescent years when I was young and needed answers on peer group relations and intimate encounters, having a different perspective would have positively shifted my worldview considerably. I know there are still young men and women who love to read, and if motivational words can help a few, then that's a few more than yesterday.

What are your thoughts?