30 Best Self Help Books On The Shelves Today

Books have long contained multitudes, but for those who are actively looking to turn up the dial on their life, embrace positive change, or reshape the way they think – self-help books can hold the answers you need. Reading self-help or self-improvement books is a surefire way of getting inspired, manifesting the life you want, and also just getting that glorious reminder that other people out there are going through the same struggles and joys as you are. With themes and topics that delve into everything from creativity to finance, work, spiritual awakenings, and matters of the heart, you are sure to find a book that brightens your life in this stash. or personal development titles.

03/28/2023 12:36 pm GMT

Our Favorites

• Best classic: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• Best creativity: Big Magic
• Best for personal finance: You Are a Badass at Making Money
• Best for inspiring courage: Daring Greatly
• Best for work: Thinking, Fast and Slow
• Best for Spiritual Awakening: Man’s Eternal Quest
• Best for relationships: Tiny Beautiful Things

The Best Self-Improvement Books

We have picked out a whole heap of great titles to inspire courage and creativity, and that can change your way of thinking so you can step into the life you are meant to live. Take a look at some of the must-read best self-help books to pluck out of the stack.

The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz

Simple mantras make space in your world for spiritual growth with these four agreements from Don Miguel Ruiz. Be impeccable with your word, don’t make assumptions, don’t take anything personally, and always do your best. The Four Agreements is an iconic book that pulls on the vibes and lessons of ancient Toltec wisdom. For those who want to clear out the internal clutter and welcome more love, happiness, truth, and freedom, this small book may become your daily bible.

• 160 pages

Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl

Viktor E. Frankl’s heartwrenching book was first released in 1946. A former prisoner of war at a Nazi concentration camp, Frankl talks about how suffering and endurance formed his personal philosophy that our life is geared towards seeking meaning rather than the fleeting whimsy of joy. Happiness and pleasure are of course important, but beneath all that is meaning – and man’s search for meaning can mean something different to everyone. Truly inspiring.

• 184 pages

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Recently updated to reflect the ideals and energy of the 21st century, Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich is considered to be one of the original self-help books out there. While it does still contain early references to famous figures like Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, the newer version looks at modern-day millionaires too. This book is intrigued by what qualities and approaches make someone a winner. You can expect plenty of principles, actionable tips, deep dives, and a little manifestation all between the pages of this classic book.

• 320 pages

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Building good habits will no longer seem overwhelming when you have this glorious guide on hand. As one of the most famous thought leaders in the world of habit building, James Clear teaches us exactly what we can do to make changing our habits a success story. Packed with practical advice, he helps us to overcome the common challenges associated with habit building, including reigning it back on track when you start to wobble. Simple, straightforward, and with a no-nonsense approach, for all those who want to make those changes, James Clear is here to pave that way.

• 320 pages

You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero

Jen Sincero is a life coach dedicated to helping people hit success by embracing their inner badass. In this book that comes filled with bite-sized info and practical exercises, she brings a fresh take to the old stomping ground. By encouraging us to put a positive spin on negative talk and to work at cultivating the life we want to live, you are sure to feel ten feet taller after reading this book.

• 256 pages

Man’s Eternal Quest by Paramahansa Yogananda

Our eternal quest for meaning shows up in this book from Paramahansa Yogananda. The author of the hugely successful book Autobiography of a Yogi brings all the big spiritual topics to the table in this illuminating collection of essays and talks. Exploring the lesser-known planes of healing, rebirth, life after death, meditation, and the powers of the human mind, this is a book brimming with knowledge, insight, and importance.

• 504 pages

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

A major New York Times bestseller, Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman takes a look at our two major modes of thinking. The first is quick and emotional and the second way is slower and logical. By taking a deep dive approach to our thinking methods and offering practical insights into how we can effectively and intuitively choose which mode of thinking we employ to get the best out of different scenarios, this book could just change your life.

• 499 pages

The Wim Hof Method by Wim Hof

The power of the breath is celebrated in The Wim Hof Method by Wim Hof. Known as the iceman, Wim Hof has been helping people garner strength and power over their mental health and their mind all by harnessing the breath and cold exposure so that we are equipped to unlock our highest potential. In this book, you can delve into Wims’s story and his methodology to change your mindset, increase your endurance, and let this pathway guide you to your own spiritual awakening.

• 232 pages

Quiet by Susan Cain

With at least half the population referring to themselves as introverts, Susan Cain takes a closer look at the value behind being a more introspective and quiet person. Cain argues that society undervalues the importance of introverts in favor of celebrating the 20th-century obsession with extrovert behavior. By shining a light on the benefits and importance of introverts in society and offering it all against a backdrop of meticulous research and insight, you will never see introverts the same way again.

• 368 pages

The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

Stephen R. Covery creates a classic in his best-selling The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. By looking at how we can develop our characters on a deeper level and how we can build solid foundations on which we can thrive, this book does so much more skim the surface. A New York Times bestseller and widely considered to be one of the most important and influential books of the 21st century, anyone in business or wanting to be more effective in their life approach should be sure to sit down with this.

• 432 pages

The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle is one of the most remarkable and beloved spiritual leaders out there. His book on The Power of Now is inspiring, thought-provoking, and ever-ready to help us digest big complex ideas by breaking them down into concrete philosophies without being condescending. Covering everything from life cycles to enlightenment, self-sabotage, and bringing more chi and light into our relationships, this book is a dizzying and deep breath of fresh air.

• 236 pages

Eat that Frog! by Brian Tracy

Procrastinators of the world will find plenty of tasty morsels in the book Eat That Frog! From Brian Tracy. While no one is really suggesting chowing down on this creature, it serves as a metaphor for facing your most challenging tasks first thing in the day. The book is made up of 21 ways to stop procrastinating and get more done in less time.

• 144 pages

The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

Marie Kondo is famed for her life-changing magic of tidying and for getting everyone to consider whether the items in their clutter pile actually spark joy or take up precious head space. For anyone looking to declutter, get organized, and to bring more peace and zen into the zones they occupy, this book is the cure. Guidance and pure inspiration to live with intention can be found within the clear-headed pages of this book.

• 213 pages

How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie’s classic, How to Win Friends and Influence People is seen by many as one of the best books geared towards communication and effective business strategy, although the principles can be used in all avenues of life. While some may not consider the approach to be an authentic way of connecting with people, you are sure to find some tidbits of useful information and plenty to debate.

• 320 pages

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert rocketed to bestseller fame with her memoir Eat, Pray, Love. In this book, she is centered around helping people to let go of their fears and aligning themselves with all they need to live their best creative lives. Optimistic, upbeat, and splashed with spiritual nuggets along the way, this book is all about leaning into bravery, play, and passions that lead us to celebrate our own Big Magic.

• 304 pages

Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

Embrace all your deep feelings, be vulnerable, and rewrite the rule book when it comes to courage – all of this wisdom can be found in Brene Brown’s book Daring Greatly. The switch between personal memoir and in-depth research flows naturally and this book helps us to rethink the way we think about shame and how we can take more risks in life across every avenue. It’s about releasing the hold of perfectionism and living authentically.

• 320 pages

The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman

Todd Herman is an award-winning performance expert which puts him in the driver’s seat for being well equipped to deal with the secrets of success. Herman believes that by creating a heroic alter ego we can live up to our fullest potential as it helps us to move out of our own way and tap into our highest capabilities. Rather than taking the approach that you need to create someone or something to reach success, this book is about learning how to unlock the hero already inside of you.

• 259 pages

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Based on the feature-length film of the same name in which Rhonda Byrne shares the life-changing ‘secret’ of the universe, this book is part inspiration, a part instruction manual on how you can harness the secret and use it to transform your life. The secret refers largely to the law of attraction and how to use this method to tap into your fullest power and deepen your relationships, happiness, financial wealth, and health. With wisdom from modern-day teachers and shared stories, The Secret is worth ruminating on for those who want to manifest and meet their full potential.

• 198 pages

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

Rachel Hollis’s number one bestseller is here to deliver that dose of inspiration you need to stop feeling bad about where you are in life. Covering twenty misconceptions that can keep us down and prevent us from living in the light of our fullest joy, Hollis covers all those big, deep, and messy topics like relationships, love, success, family, and more. If you feel like immersing yourself in the magic of motivation, this book is sure to empower you.

• 240 pages

The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma

Maximize our productivity and hit all those out-of-reach goals with the 5 AM by Robin Sharma. Working on the principle that by rising a little earlier each day you can upgrade your output, your happiness, and your health and wellbeing, this book is all about simple habits that facilitate big change. With a step-by-step approach, plenty of neuroscience-based research, and part playbook/part manifesto, The 5 AM Club could be the answer you are looking for.

• 336 pages

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes is famed for all those big hit TV shows she has under her belt like Scandal, Bridgerton, and Grey’s Anatomy. In this memoir, she writes about what happened when she decided to shift gears in life and say yes to all the opportunities that came her way. This funny and lively memoir is a bright and beautiful blend of crushing honesty and shiny inspiration and is a great reminder to stay open and curious.

• 352 pages

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

Famed blogger Mark Manson captures the mood with this defining book on how to cut through the crap, clear out the cult of positive thinkers, and instead truly learn to metabolize our fears, faults, and limits with unflinching honesty. Raw, real, and a sharp reminder that humans are utterly flawed beings, this book could be the breath of fresh air you have been seeking. While not to everyone‘s taste, this book may balance out the pressurized mindset of always needing to care.

• 224 pages

The Four Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

If you have been dreaming of escaping the 9-5 and mapping out a new work/life balance that doesn’t revolve around grinding every hour of the day until you hit retirement, The Four Hour Workweek could deliver the answer you have been seeking. Tim Ferris managed to shrink his 80-hour work week into just 4 hours and made more money than he had before. While certainly, this story isn’t possible for everyone, those wanting to flip their thinking, redesign their life, and approach productivity from a different angle may find plenty of power in this sometimes controversial book.

The Magic Of Thinking Big by David Joseph Schwartz

Forget thinking small with this book on The Magic of Thinking Big by David Joseph Schwartz. Schwartz encourages his readers to reach for the stars through the power of belief, creative dreaming, making your attitude your ally, and using goals and leadership mentality to get all that you desire. In the modern world when it’s easy to lose track of simplistic thinking and the bigger picture, this book brings it all back together in an easy-to-follow format.

• 238 pages

You Are A Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

Money matters sit at the heart of this book from Jen Sincero. The number one New York Times bestselling author and motivational speaker guides you through mantras, tips, and deeply personal and practical advice to help readers crystallize their personal money story and change their mindset.

• 288 pages

The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Anchor

The belief that conventional success leads to happiness is turned on its head in The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Anchor. Anchor argues (and backs it up) that happiness fuels success rather than it being the other way round. Using information gathered from one of the largest ever studies done on happiness, Anchor not only has the research but offers us practical tips on how to rewire our brains so we can create more joy and seize opportunities.

• 256 pages

Switch by Chip Heath

We often resist or fear change and this can also be down to the two sides of our brain (the logical and the emotional) consistently trying to outdo the other and rule the roost. In this book Switch by Chip Heath, we take a look at everyday people who have managed to unite both of these sides of the brain rather than letting them fight against each other. Backed up by psychology, and sociology, and served in a storytelling narrative, this book may bring about change in an easy and effective manner.

• 305 pages

Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach

Many of us go through life believing that something is inherently wrong or broken inside. But this book from Tara Brach reminds us that the key to embracing who we are lies in radical acceptance. Penned with warmth, sincerity, and pure clarity, Tara Brach shares her Buddhist-inspired teachings via personal stories, interpretations of Buddhist tales, and guided meditation. The result is an illuminating book that empowers positive change and ups your levels of self-love.

• 352 pages

Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking by S.J. Scott

If you often feel gripped by overwhelm and as though your mind is stacked with clutter, anxious thinking, and spirals that lead you into self-doubt then now may be the time to clear out the junk. In this book by S.J Scott, the author offers specific mindfulness techniques that help to shake out space in your mind. You can learn how to prioritize things that matter, let go of what is no longer serving you, and welcome healthy thought habits that are aligned with your ultimate life goals. Start living the good life, free from anxious thinking with this book.

Self Help Books FAQ

What is the number 1 self-help book?

One of the best-selling self-help books out there is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Other titles include Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, The Power of Now, and You Are a Badass.

What is the number 1 best-selling self-help book?

Atomic Habits, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The Four Agreements, The Power of Now, Think and Grow Rich – these are a few titles that consistently seem to make the number 1 bestseller list when it comes to self-help books.