Recommended Reading

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Nowadays you can find novels written for every type of enthusiast. Whether these books are self-help paperbacks, autobiographies or enjoyable fiction you have a wide selection of literature in the genre that resonates with you—even mechanical auto repairs.

So if you’re a mechanic or aspiring to be one perhaps the following recommended reads will appeal to you.

You can read about the exciting life of a Formula 1 mechanic or simply enjoy a fun comedy about a female who spends her life fixing cars. Whatever your preference we have you covered. Take a look at these top five books written for mechanics.

In a Pinch For Time – Check availability of the Top 5

1. The Mechanic: The Secret World of the F1 Pit Lane

Overview

Have you ever wondered what it’s like being a mechanic in a pit lane for a Formula 1 racer? Even though the spotlight is mainly on the racer, what would the champion be without his elite team of pit lane mechanics?

Without the proficiency and speed of the pit lane crew, F1 racers wouldn’t stand a chance of winning. But because of the high level of skill these mechanics have and the famous people they work for, they can afford to travel, world and take part in elaborate parties & hang out with the F1 racers.

Attending parties and events around the world with F1 racers can make for a juicy inside tale of what these guys really get up to when they’re not on the track.

Delve into the life of Marc ‘Elvis’ Priestly, one of the world’s most famous F1 mechanics, as he reveals secrets, rivalries and the determination to win in this riveting story about the Formula 1 industry.

Pros

• Made into an audiobook, Hardcover and Kindle
• Published by Random House UK
• The story is easy to follow
• Exceptionally captivating

Cons

• People who aren’t formula 1 fans may not find it enjoyable
• Doesn’t contain any technical motor racing information

Who is this Book For?

Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsports so if you’re a fan of McLaren and high-performance racing you may enjoy this book. It’s also an excellent read for aspiring pit lane mechanics to see firsthand what it’s like to be a part of the motorsport industry.

Features of the Book

The Mechanic: The Secret World of the F1 Pit Lane is a 256-page book that can be purchased as an audiobook, paperback or hardcover. It was published in November 2017 by Random House UK and it’s written in English.

People who read this also like Burning Rubber: The Extraordinary Story of Formula One. It’s written by Charles Jennings and follows 60 years of Formula 1 racing.

2. Miss Mechanic

Overview

Every girl loves a romantic comedy and if you haven’t read Emma Hart’s books this one may make you fall in love with her genre.

Miss Mechanic is a humorous book with two well-developed characters, Jamie and Dexter, who light up the pages & make you want to read more. Jamie is a female mechanic who is determined to prove her worth in her profession while Dexter can’t seem to move past gender stereotyping.

You’ll love the banter and the chemistry between the two charismatic characters & the way they try to prove each other wrong. Emma Hart really did an excellent job of invoking emotions from her readers in this romantic comedy. Some parts will have you laughing and other chapters may make you shed a tear or two.

But if you love following sassy and strong heroines with a determination to succeed & who possess relatable challenges, you’ll find Emma Hart’s Miss Mechanic uplifting. You may even find yourself quoting some of the banter from this book to make your loved ones laugh.

Pros

• Excellent dialogue
• Well developed characters
• Can be purchased as an EBook
• Fights against female stereotyping
• Incredibly funny

Cons

• Has a lot of misogynistic content
• Doesn’t come as an audiobook

Who is this Book For?

The Miss Mechanic novel is for teenagers, men and women who are looking for a laugh but learning important life lessons in between the fun. It will sharpen your wit and inspire you to be a strong independent person regardless of what stereotypes exist.

Features of the Book

Emma Hart published this book herself in December 2017. It’s a paperback 205-page fictional novel written in English. Emma Hart has published over 30 bestseller books that come in 7 different languages.

3. Auto Repair for Dummies

Overview

Save on vehicle repair costs and simply do it the DIY way with this handy Auto Repair for Dummies book. It has an easy to follow guide on how to perform your own repairs on your vehicle like a professional.

The Auto Repair for Dummies guide gives you an extensive monthly auto maintenance checklists as well as basic safety rules to follow when working on your vehicle. You’ll also learn how to assemble and disassemble car parts & how to change your vehicle’s oil.

Each auto maintenance and repair section gives you an easy step by step guide so it will be impossible to make a mistake. The writing is also easy to understand and it explains everything you need to know about the internal parts of your car.

Pros

• Easy to read
• Helps you identify problems fast
• Designed for kindle
• Helps you understand your vehicle’s internal parts

Cons

• Doesn’t come as an audiobook
• May not be suitable for newer model cars

Who is this Book For?

Auto Repairs for Dummies is written for professional mechanics that need to brush up on their knowledge as well as people who don’t know anything about cars.

This auto repair book is suitable for both men and women who want to maintain the performance of their vehicle as well as run diagnostic checks regularly.

Features of the Book

Auto Repair for Dummies was published in the year 1976 by Deanna Sclar who is an automotive expert and consumer advocate. It’s a 552-page paperback that has extensive diagrams and guides on how to repair your car.

The Auto Repair for Dummies has a part 2 book that was published in 2008 for newer vehicle models.

4. Small Engines and Outdoor Power Equipment

Overview

Cars aren’t the only applications that need regular maintenance. Small engines in lawnmowers and snow blowers need the same care because these applications are used to maintain the aesthetics of your house. That’s why Peter Hunn wrote Small Engines and Outdoor Power Equipment which is a care & repair guide for people who have no skill or knowledge in mechanics.

It’s an easy to follow guide on how small engines work and how you can maintain them yourself. The book contains many images to help you identify different parts of your application. Anyone can follow this book and know exactly how to repair & maintain small engines.

Pros

• Written for homeowners
• Easy to understand
• Excellent introduction
• Includes many images

Cons

• No audiobook version available

Who is this Book For?

This book was written for the homeowners in mind who want to maintain the longevity of their outside equipment powered by small engines. You don’t have to have extensive knowledge in mechanical engineering as the book gives you an easy step by step guide to follow.

Features of the Book

The Small Engines and Outdoor Power Equipment maintenance book was published by Cool Springs Press in March 2014. It’s a 144 self-help paperback written in English.

5. Auto Repair and Maintenance: Easy Lessons for Maintaining Your Car…

Overview

Since modern cars are becoming more complex with internal parts and digitalization it’s also becoming increasingly difficult to maintain due to high costs.

Dave Stribling who specializes in vehicle restoration and upgrades wrote this self-help book to aid car enthusiasts on how to repair and maintain their modern assets. The book contains step by step guides that are easy to follow with high-resolution images to help you identify car parts.

The Auto Repair and Maintenance: Easy Lessons for Maintaining your Car makes it effortless for people to uphold & optimize the performance of their vehicles. This helps you save on auto repair costs and services.

Pros

• Helps you identify car parts
• Easy to understand
• Saves you time and money
• Aids with all car models

Cons

• No hardcover, audio or EBook options

Who is this Book For?

The Auto Repair and Maintenance book is for automotive enthusiasts & for people who are simply looking for cost-effective ways to uphold their vehicles.

Features of the Book

This book was published by Alpha in August 2015. It’s a 282-page paperback self-help book that’s written in English.

Conclusion

As an avid or professional mechanic, you have a fictional comedy, biography and three extensive self-help books that will increase your knowledge about the automotive industry.

One can never have too many books so be sure to give them all a read. Let us know what you thought of the books we reviewed by leaving us a comment below. We would be happy to know if these books helped you with your automotive repairs. Or perhaps you have other books to suggest?

Last update on 2019-12-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API