Best self improvement books of all time, where does one even begin? You may be wondering what are self improvement books vs self help books vs personal development books, and we’ll be diving into all of this and more while directing you to find the exact book you need to reach for this season of your life.
Hi new friend; I’m Lumalia here at Celebrate Again. I call myself a connection architect because I love bringing awareness to the populous that we have access to everything we truly need. Here at Celebrate Again, you can find me writing articles like the ones you’re reading, facilitating group mind-body connection growth groups inside our membership, or in-person events. I’m also a published author of my debut memoir, Blooming Upside Down, and an artist forever reminding you of the beauty right at your toes. Because of my life experience, I’m one who had to look to self improvement books to heal from the very traumatic life I was once a deep victim of. With that, I bring some of the books on this list with my personal recommendations and insights into how they actually helped me heal, grow, and ultimately flourish. Because if you’re looking for self improvement books, it’s because deep down, there is something in you that says, “There has to be more out there.” And I’m here cheering you on, saying there is. Are you ready to begin?
Best self improvement books of all time must include a list of timeless books that address multiple areas of personal development and self healing. While we could fill libraries with just these books I’ve gathered and sorted these books to help you find the exact self improvement book or personal development books to guide you along your growth journey. I hope they will provide the impactful shifts you are craving because here at Celebrate Again, I believe this is your greatest gift as a human.
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Best Self Improvement Books of all Time
Where to start with Self Improvement Books & Personal Development?
Often, we look to books on growth based on our deepet pain points for where to begin and how to choose the right books. I first reached for books on parenting as a new mother. Then, it became autoimmune diseases as I got my first diagnosis. But now, it’s poets, it’s non-fiction, it’s just life, knowing, growing, and wanting to see the beauty someone else knew.
Having been on this journey for the latter part of my life now, my best advice is to start where you want to find joy instead of solving a pain. When you look at a title, the cover, and the description (yes, we are totally judging a book by its cover, haha), do you feel like it’s something you want to read? Go read it!
If you don’t want to start with books, you can consider surveying your life.
- Is there a specific area you are excited to grow in
- Maybe it’s relationships,
- self-care,
- healing something specific,
- learning meditation or mindfulness.
- Whatever it is, maybe your queue is where to begin.
Again, there is no right way to personal development, so enjoy following your curiosities because it’s there you’ll get the most out of the experiences and find that is how you develop personal growth naturally.
And isn’t that a breath of fresh air to know? Our modern lives already demand too much of our attention, so why not start where brings you the most life?
Why Self Improvement Books?
But before we dive into why self-improvement books are so important, it is because, without them, we live subject to deep programming from our childhood, our culture, and our religions. And I’ve written an entire book about overcoming all of those (which you can find here). Needless to say, if you don’t know it’s a bad idea and why it’s a bad idea, you’ll keep doing the things that are destroying your life, those you love, and every single person you encounter. And yes, you can learn these things through counseling, exposure to new cultures, people, environments, religions, spirituality, teachers, coaches, etc. However, there is something about taking responsibility to learn it deeply yourself and take action that is fitting for your life; I believe therapists, coaches, teachers, and new explorations can be highly complementary to any self-improvement journey.
Let’s dive in! I’ve categorized the Best self-improvement books of all time based on different categories, which you can find in the table below. Feel free to pop between all the ideas until you find a book that matches where you’re most excited to grow next.
Table of Contents
Self Improvement Books to Find Yourself
Self improvement books to find yourself are great for anyone wanting a fresh start with who you are. Most of our lives, we’re very much told who we must be by our parents, culture, and religions, which is why I’m thrilled you’re here to figure that out.
After my own divorce from my 1st husband (who I got married to, pressured by religion and psychological impacts engrained in me from my childhood at the young age of 20), I went on a deep journey of finding myself, too. And to be honest, poetry became my most faithful friend in discovering I was actually a very physical person, more than I had ever allowed myself to be because of my upbringing. I began photographing myself after my ex told me he wasn’t attracted to me anymore, and it was one of the most potent things I started doing for myself. (It helped that I had been a photographer for a decade to know how even to do this, but beautiful.) So here is my list of books that helped me find myself.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
This book truly helped me remember the power of having a magical life, to not let the simple things just lay by the wayside but to jump at inspiration when it sparks. Elizabeth Gilbert is, in part, the inspiration I needed to get back into finishing my book after six month hiatus because a fellow writer was really critical of one of my first drafts that wrecked me.
Why am I recommending books on Bookshop.com?
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The Dark Between Stars by Atticus
This book helped me remember romance can exist. That I deserved to be loved way beyond what I was experiencing in my passionless marriage of 10 years. It helped me fall in love again deeply with life, myself, and all the beauty this world can have after spending 4 years mostly in bed, disabled and very sick. This book is impart what helped me believe I deserved to have a love that I now have with my current husband.
Edge of Wonder by Victoria Ericson
Similarly to Atticus, Victoria helped me remember the beauty of life, to process my grief around getting a divorce and losing my daughter half-time because of it, and to be ok with where I was. Poets, in my opinion, are honestly the best medicine.
Poets are the best medicine.
The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
In battling a lot of PTSD from my traumatic childhood that didn’t get revealed to me until my late twenties with flashbacks once I started building safety in my body through yoga and meditation work, I faced a lot of frequent depression that made me feel hopeless often about ever being normal or “whole” again. Ross’s book helped me remember delights;joy is simple and in everything in life.
I do need to add: beginning a practice of Yoga Nidra was what helped my body first begin to heal. Try my free yoga videos of that here.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Glennon’s story with her upbringing in Christianity resonated so much with me, and also being a woman who left a marriage that wasn’t where my heart truly was. I felt so much resonance with her as a person and fell in love with her style of honest and powerful writing that just tells you the truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be. Her book is one I believe all women should read.
Blooming Upside Down: A Memoir of Healing from the Incurable by Lumalia Armstrong
My book is sharing my story of how I came to discover who I am through childhood sexual abuse, chronic illnesses, as a mother and woman in the 20th century and left a toxic marriage. I’m honest to the point, and take you down the road of how beautiful healing can truly be. It’s a compelling memoir exploring healing, resilience, and self-discovery. Inspired by the poetry I was steeped in when I wrote this book, you’ll find the storytelling poetic. It celebrates the human spirit’s capacity to bloom amidst adversity, inspiring personal growth.
Books About Finding Yourself and Happiness
Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart by James R. Doty
One of my dearest friends sent me this book, and it opened me up in ways I was already cracking the doors open too. The beauty of looking at manifestation from a neuroscientist’s point of view with his own life experience was beyond astounding; it was pure magical. This book made me truly believe and hope that despite all the patterns I was stuck in, I really absolutely could live a magical life, too, and it wasn’t about financial wealth but about how to grow with humanity in deep beauty and love.
Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Every single woman of all time should read this book. A business coach recommended I read this book as I began writing my current memoir. It was the first book I’d ever read that I felt like someone somehow plucked out my soul’s existence and wrote it in a book. Everything Clarissa said in this book resonated so deeply with me that, for once, I felt like someone really understood me. More than that, she embraces the wildness in women, this side that is rarely celebrated and nurtured vs the good girl mentality where women have to be quiet and submissive. If you are a woman/womb holder, you need to read this book.
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World" by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Carlton Abrams -
This book is a beautiful step into two spiritual world leaders and beloved folks, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, to share their wisdom and insights into finding joy in all of life, and they both have had their fair share of life. I personally enjoyed it and found it comical, endearing, and beautifully insightful, ultimately reminding me how powerful grace is.
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Which is said to be a fun story into the Author’s experiments to find what brings her joy. It takes research, wisdom, and personal experiences into a practical guide.
"The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself" by Michael A. Singer
This book offers a transformative perspective on how to let go of personal limitations and explore the infinite possibilities of living. Singer combines mindfulness practices with insights from various spiritual traditions to guide readers toward achieving inner peace and freedom.
Self Discovery Books for Young Adults
Books for young adults can be difficult because, honestly, some of the best books are your school work, but as a past young adult, I know that when someone says you have to read this book and write a report, you really don’t absorb the book as well as you do when you say willingly go grab a book and read it for yourself. So, that being said, maybe you should start picking up a book you once read in school and see if it really is the book you need now but didn’t know about. You never know! That was the case for me and Cold Mountain. But here are some excellent recommendations to start with.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This novel is about listing to desires of the heart. It’s a fiction book that It tells the story of Santiago, a young shepherd on a journey to find worldly treasure, only to discover that the real treasure lies within. It’s an impactful book that focuses on the value of pursuing one’s desires and inner guidance.
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert
This memoir, yes, has been made into a movie, but it’s a must-read for anyone going through a change of seasons in their lives. Gilbert's journey of self-discovery across three countries offers insights into the pursuit of pleasure, devotion, and balance, encouraging readers to explore their own paths to personal fulfillment.
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay
This book is a must-read for young adults. Jay, a clinical psychologist, uses real-life stories and scientific research to state that the twenties are an important period of adult development. She offers real-life advice on how to make the most of these years by focusing on work, relationships, personality, social networks, and who you are.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
If you haven’t gotten into Brene Brown yet, you totally should. Her work is straight to the heart and extremely wise. It’s a great place to start for young adults learning how to navigate relationships and personal development.
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
If you love really dense reading, this is your book. It’s the foundation for so many people deep in personal development and self-discovery work. Eckhart focuses on the importance of present-moment awareness and the dismantling of the ego.
Finding Yourself Books in Your 20s
The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Camero
This is a book that has helped millions of individuals unlock their creative potential. At its core, it's a 12-week program designed to help people rediscover their artistic self, recover from creative blocks, and integrate creativity into their daily lives. Cameron uses a combination of exercises, prompts, and reflections to guide readers through the process of rekindling their creativity, regardless of their artistic background or current level of creative engagement.
The book combines elements of self-help, creativity coaching, and spiritual practice to support personal growth and creative expression. Key practices from the book, such as the daily writing of "Morning Pages" and the weekly exploratory "Artist Date," have become foundational tools for many want to enhance their creative lives or just find who they are.
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice from Dear Sugar By Cheryl Strayed
A beautiful collection from an advice column “Dear Sugar,” this book is real and personal. Stray speaks on a wide array of topics relevant to people in their 20s looking to find themselves. She’s compassionate and ridiculously honest while being an impactful guide.
Falling Upward by Richard Rohr
I highly recommend both of these books for anyone who grew up deep in Christianity. Richard’s perspective is so unique and beautiful and was honestly what helped set me free from a lot of deep roots of shame and inadequacy a lot of sectors of religion and culture breed into young people.
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
This is a great book again if you grew up very religious, it will give you some new perspectives and insights into spirituality that maybe you haven’t thought of before.
I haven’t read these below but they come well recommended here is a bit about them.
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter—And How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay
This book is a must-read for young adults. Jay, a clinical psychologist, uses real-life stories and scientific research to state that the twenties are an important period of adult development. She offers real-life advice on how to make the most of these years by focusing on work, relationships, personality, social networks, and who you are.
Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 535 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown
This book is said to be funny while also being practical on navigating adulting. Brown covers everything from money, careers, to relationships.
Best Fiction Books About Finding Yourself
When we think about self-improvement or personal development, we often believe that nonfiction is the way to go, but fiction holds a compelling draw of us as humans. It’s because our subconscious (the part of our brain and nervous system that operates for us based on inherited and culturally programmed methods) is changed and speaks only in stories and sensations. This is why children learn so well through school stories and sensory-rich experiences. It’s why, inside my personal development membership, we use embodiment work through story and creative experiences to help you grow and heal.
So before you flash past fiction, maybe give it a second thought and get curious about what you could perhaps learn here. It may surprise you and change you more than you think.
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
This one is a bit controversial (becase of Rand's questionable beliefs) but it was honestly one of my earlier favorite books because it is a story of resilience to keep pushing boundaries for what you deeply know to be true and honestly this is a lot of what we need to do in finding our purpose. We have to push past what we were brought up to believe, and who we had to become to survive our lives so that we see who it is that we truly are. And this book is a story just about those things. (Expert tip: skip the monologues, I did and it was still an incredible store. Rand is known for the pages-long monologues and you sure don’t have to read her political views in her novels if you don’t want to…it’s great practice at doing what you want, even in reading. 🙂 )
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This timeless novel tells the story of Santiago, a young Andalusian shepherd boy who dreams of discovering a worldly treasure located somewhere in the Egyptian pyramids. This book is perfect for finding your path in life and chasing your dreams.
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert
Yes, it is also a movie but you should read the book because books are always richer. Although it’s a memoir it reads like fiction and is a great book for anyone post-divorce or looking for adventure through travel and spirituality. It's great if you’re looking to reinvent yourself or in a season of deep shifts to find happiness.
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Another memoir that reads like a gripping novel, "Wild" recounts Strayed's solo journey on the Pacific Crest Trail following the death of her mother and the collapse of her marriage. With no prior hiking experience, she confronts her fears, failures, and pain head-on, ultimately discovering her strength and resilience. This book is perfect for seeing nature as healing and how physically and emotionally challenging yourself can be highly rewarding. Again, it’s also a movie, but go read the book, because books hold so much more than movies ever can.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
I had to read this book in school, and honestly, of all the books I had to read in school, this one was one of my favorite. This is a great book for younger audiences and older audiences looking to heal parts of themselves maybe stuck in younger years that need deep healing and finding your place in the world. This classic novel follows the young Holden Caulfield through New York City as he grapples with alienation, loss, and a desperate search for identity.
Plath's semi-autobiographical novel explores the life of Esther Greenwood, a young woman who finds herself spiraling into depression as she struggles with societal expectations and her own desires. This is a great book for finding your identity, working through mental health issues, and finding yourself amidst the sometimes chaotic unknown.
Books About Finding Purpose
I’d honestly first recommend Big Magic for books about finding your purpose. It’s a book on following your creativity which I believe ultimately is where your purpose lies. We are often told it’s only artists who are creative, but we are all born creative beings. Sometimes, our creations just look more like spreadsheets and numbers, and organization than colors on a canvas.The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer by Steven Kotler
This book is a beautiful step-by-step instruction on how to find your biologically driven passions and purposes. It’s very clinical and science-based but also very fascinating. Take notes because this is a dense book!
Honestly some good ole poetry books may inspire you too. I’m a big fan of Victoria Ericson, Chelsie Diane, Slyvia Path, Ross Gay.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
This book is a classic in existential literature and psychology. Frankl, a psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor discusses his experiences in Nazi concentration camps and how those experiences led him to develop logotherapy, a form of psychotherapy that finds healing through meaning. Frankl argues that life has potential meaning under any circumstances, even the most miserable ones, is finding what we personally find meaningful.
Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team by Simon Sinek, David Mead, and Peter Docker
Building on the concepts presented in Sinek's acclaimed book "Start With Why," this guide provides readers with the tools to find their why—the purpose, cause, or belief that inspires them. Through step-by-step instructions and exercises, the authors help individuals and teams articulate their purpose and bring their "why" to life in their personal and professional endeavors. While it can seem like a business book it’s a great place to start even if you’re just someone looking to find your purpose no matter what avenues you desire to venture down the road.
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker J. Palmer
Parker J. Palmer claims that to find your purpose, you have to listen deeply to your life, find your gifts, and know how they can serve the world. Using personal anecdotes and insights, this book can help you find your life purpose in a practical, authentic way.
Top 5 Influential Self Help Books
What are the best self help books of all time and the must read self improvement books? I’ve gathered all the highly acclaimed best and most influential self help books.
My top personal favorite is:
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative Florence Williams
This book truly shifted the way that I looked at nature knowing that something deep in me kept being drawn and attracted to it. Williams collects research on why nature helps us and shares the information in a really easy way to grasp while also being an expert journalist, aka storyteller, to give the most beautiful stories around her experiences learning this too. This book found me in the middle of my healing journey from chronic illnesses and I knew nature and my connection to her had to be a part of my healing thanks to this book.
And now the most influential self help books. I personally haven’t read the list below but from peers, these come highly recommended.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This book is a classic. Carnegie's principles on how to communicate effectively, understand and influence people, and become a more likable person have helped loads of people improve their working and personal relationships.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
This book is based on a deep study of habits of successful people, and first published in 1937 it hold the test of time. It goes over the psychological power of thought and the brain in the process of furthering your career for both monetary and personal satisfaction.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
First published in 1989 but still standing true, Covey's book provides a holistic approach to personal and professional effectiveness. The seven habits he outlines are designed to lead to greater productivity, improved communication, and increased personal growth. This book has influenced leaders, managers, and individuals seeking to perform better in all areas of their lives.
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
Tolle's guide to spiritual enlightenment focuses on the importance of living in the present moment and escaping the confines of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. First published in 1997, this book has become a foundational text in the realm of mindfulness and the quest for spiritual clarity.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Still a bestseller for its practical and evidence-based approach to habit formation. Clear offers a step-by-step guide to breaking bad habits and adopting good ones by focusing on small changes that lead to amazing results over time.
Self Development Books for Beginners
So what if you’re just beginning your journey down self development? What are the best self development books for beginners? I’ve gathered a list of a few to start you off with and hope that it will lead you to follow your curiosity as you go because we know from a scientific standpoint where our passions go and our attentions follow.
So what is THE best book to read for self-development, especially for beginners?
The ceases is out that “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey is. Covey breaks down seven basic steps to help you begin your journey based on his personal research and how effective it’s been for past readers.
Where to begin on a self development journey:
However, I caution anyone wanting a single answer to that because, truly the journey needs to begin with asking:
- What areas of your life are you trying to grow in?
- Who is an expert in that area and/or also has overcome those specific challenges already? (“Don’t take flying lessons from someone who’s never flown” as my poetry teacher Chelise Diane would say.)
- How do you want to grow in these areas is it reading books? There are many ways to grow, reading is just one of them.
I’d encourage you to begin here and then do your research from there, looking up specific keywords or going to a bookshop or librarian if they know of any books that address your very specific and unique desires. However, I’ll do my best below to break down some broad topics with my personal and well-beloved recommendations.
But what is the best self-help book to change your life?
While I could say there is one book, I encourage you to scroll back up and read my three steps on where to begin on a self development journey.
However, I know you want one answer so here is the popular one, but it may not be the one, you need so keep that in mind.
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
seems to be the most beloved book to help you change your life with his clear step-by-step instructions that have helped many shift their habits.
However, I send gentleness to anyone breaking habits to consider working with a therapist because oftentimes, we are doing things as coping skills based on our childhood or trauma that’s happened in our lives. Sometimes, even talk therapy cannot uproot some of these and needs to be released through somatic embodiment work, which is why I teach embodiment practices inside my membership, which I highly recommend pairing with talk therapy to get to the deep roots of why sometimes you’re doing the very things you wish you wouldn’t.
Overcoming Health Issues Books
This is my personal favorite corner of the book world because the books I list below are real ones that personally helped me overcome insurmountable illnesses that Western medicine and even Chinese medicine were saying I was going to be sick with the rest of my life. But I’m not. I’m healed. Ta-da, it’s possible. Our bodies are wildly beautiful, made to heal but they aren’t because of how much we are holding, systemically, from a trauma perspective, and how we live our lives in the modern world.
The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative Florence Williams
I mentioned this book early because of how impactful it was on my own personal healing health issues journey so I want to mention it again here. In modern society, we’ve become so technologically dependent that many of us have lost a connection to nature, and Williams goes into the importance of why we need it back.
Blooming Upside Down: A Memoir of Healing from the Incurable by Lumalia Armstrong
Eastern Body, Western Mind: Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self by Anodea Judith
This book is incredible. If you want a deep dive into understanding the human body and the psychology behind what’s happening, this is your book. It’s wildly dense and written for clinicians, but it did crack me open to see some beautiful things as a yoga teacher and meditation teacher myself. Judith infuses some personal practices and things to take into your own therapist or embodiment work that will help you shift through a lot of powerful places in your health issues.
Heal Your Body: The Mental Causes for Physical Illness and the Metaphysical Way to Overcome Them by Louis Hayes
This is an amazing book to look at specific issues you have and understand the deeper emotional connection to what’s happening. This book is extremely helpful in all health issues but it’s important to note, you cannot just learn about the condition and slap a pretty affirmation on it. True healing happens when you reach the subconscious layer and heal the nervous system which Louis doesn’t fully go into but this is a great book to begin your journey.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
This self improvement book is is an excellent book to begin to understand the mind-body connection and that most health issues are tied to our life experiences and how the body stores information that manifests itself in the form of diseases and illnesses or is more prone to them because of what we’ve experienced. This is a great book for understanding but not necessarily step by step instructions.
Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body by Peter A. Levine
For a true step-by-step instructional book along with exercises, Peter Levine is the go-to clinician and book. He’s the founder of Somatic Experiencing which is what is making somatic work so popular and helpful.
Keep in mind all of these books are great places to start. Working in a community is key to deeply healing as well as having a team of practitioners that understand the deep capacity of our bodies, which, sadly most modern medicine doesn’t teach. It teaches emergency response versus holistic care.
I want to leave you on a positive out look so check out this blog post I wrote on how I cured my autoimmune diseas and learned to cope with chronic illnesses
Self-Improvement Books on Managing Stress & Anxiety
Ok, so I have to pipe in here and say that books will only go so far when it comes to helping with managing stress and anxiety. A lot of times, for both of these things we need to use our bodies, not just engage in new information.
We live in a world that has us very immobilized, and our bodies are made beautifully to release, transform, and allow experiences to pass through us.
But we sit and eat often.
And so if you go to most doctors, they will tell you to start working out. I wholeheartedly agree with that but also encourage you to begin to step into somatic work and self-awareness (check out my self-awareness quiz and Roadmaps that can help you in this area), learning to listen to what messages are coming from your stress and anxiety.
It can be everything from needing more self-care to stored trauma in your body. (All of the above books are honestly great places to start.)
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Nicole Lepera
Nicole is a modern pioneer in holistic psychology and wildly popular on social media for her quick and helpful content that brights light to powerful truths. This book is perfect for step by step instructions on how to heal in general.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D
This comprehensive workbook offers a thorough approach to understanding and managing anxiety, phobias, and stress. It provides readers with a wide range of tools and techniques, including relaxation, breathing, cognitive restructuring, and mindfulness practices. Bourne's workbook is designed to help individuals cope with general anxiety, social anxiety, specific phobias, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other anxiety-related issues. Its practical exercises and information make it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to take active steps towards managing anxiety.
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Kabat-Zinn introduces the concept of mindfulness as a powerful tool for reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being. This book breaks down the practice of mindfulness into simple, accessible techniques that can be integrated into daily life. Kabat-Zinn emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and using mindfulness to become more aware of one's thoughts and feelings without judgment, which can lead to a significant reduction in anxiety and stress. It's an excellent choice for those new to mindfulness and meditation, as well as for those looking to deepen their practice.
This book is based on an ancient Hawaiian practice but goes into a quick flyby of why a lot of mindsets really works to help overcome a lot of mindset issues. I loved the science this book references and the general idea of removing ourselves from victim mentalities. However, I fundamentally disagree that through a mantra, you can actively heal trauma and abuse. So, if you know you’ve faced abuse or have a lot of trauma, this book may honestly be really triggering for you, to which I’d encourage going gently and taking what you can in the time you can.
Personal Development Books on Building Resilience
OK, again, you see, I love books, but I need to be honest with you: building resilience comes from life experiences, so if you’re going to read anything, look at these books that will inspire you to begin to step into experiences that grow and change you, so you can build resilience.
I’m gonna toss my book Blooming Upside Down in the ring here again because in my story, I share how much resilience I had to go through in battling multiple chronic illnesses being a new mother, and overcoming a toxic relationship that was keeping me sick.
However, here are a few more books that teach grit and perseverance
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
This personal developement book on building resilence stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. Anne's writings encourage readers to maintain hope and perseverance, no matter the challenges, making her diary a timeless reminder of the power of resilience.
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
In this influential book, psychologist Angela Duckworth explores the concept of grit as a key predictor of success. Duckworth argues that the combination of passion and perseverance is what drives individuals to achieve their long-term goals, far beyond what talent alone can offer. Through research and stories of high achievers, she demonstrates how anyone can grow their grit, exploring themes of interest, practice, purpose, and hope.
Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life by Eric Greitens
Written by a former Navy SEAL and Rhodes Scholar, this book is a compelling exploration of resilience. Through a series of letters to a struggling friend, Greitens shares insights from philosophy, psychology, and his own experiences, offering practical advice on how to build resilience, confront challenges, and lead a life of purpose and meaning.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This novel tells the story of two sisters in France during World War II and their struggle to survive and resist the German occupation. Through the lens of historical fiction, Hannah explores themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. The characters' journeys through harrowing circumstances provide powerful examples of how people can persevere through the darkest times with courage and grit.
Books on Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a great practice to begin in your life. And books on mindfulness are a great resource to find what journey excites you. There are so many practices that include mindfulness, and if you want resources right now, go check out my self-awarenss quiz that will direct you to a roadmap with free exercises, journal prompts, and more.
Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
This book on mindfulness offers a clear, straightforward approach to practicing mindfulness meditation. Bhante Gunaratana breaks down the myths, realities, and benefits of mindfulness and meditation, providing readers with a step-by-step guide to cultivating a personal meditation practice. It's an ideal read for someone looking to understand the essence of mindfulness and how to apply it in daily life.
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by Jon Kabat-Zinn
Kabat-Zinn, a pioneer in the field of mindfulness in the West, explores the power of mindfulness to transform our relationship with ourselves and the world around us. The book contains short chapters that introduce the fundamentals of mindfulness practice and how to apply them in various aspects of daily life. It's an excellent resource for those looking to start or deepen their mindfulness practice and find greater calm and clarity in their lives.
This book is based on an ancient Hawaiian practice but goes into a quick flyby of why a lot of mindsets really works to help overcome a lot of mindset issues. I loved the science this book references and the general idea of removing ourselves from victim mentalities. However, I fundamentally disagree that through a mantra, you can actively heal trauma and abuse. So, if you know you’ve faced abuse or have a lot of trauma, this book may honestly be really triggering for you, to which I’d encourage going gently and taking what you can in the time you can.
Blooming Upside Down: A Memoir of Healing from the Incurable by Lumalia Armstrong
Yes, it’s my book again. My story, my memoir, is obviously deeply personal but also wildly powerful because I overcame what so few know how to overcome. If you’re looking for inspiration to look at how you’re viewing your life and your self-awareness journey, this book is perfect for you, especially if you’re a wife, a mother, and come from a religious upbringing.
The Role of Physical Health in Personal Development
Physical health is very important in personal development and self-improvement. Books will help guide your mind into understanding real action begins when you close the book and choose something differently. I’ll again be the first to advocate for getting active and looking at what is happening with your nervous system and your body as you are learning to grow.
These Books are great for a Healthier Body and Mind
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
This groundbreaking book delves into how trauma affects the body and mind, and how healing can be achieved through innovative therapies and understanding the connection between mental and physical health. Van der Kolk combines research and patient stories to explore the impact of trauma and pathways to recovery, making it a crucial read for anyone looking to understand and heal from the physical and emotional scars of trauma.
How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Greger, M.D., with Gene Stone
Dr. Greger examines the top causes of premature death and how many of these can be prevented through diet and lifestyle changes. The book provides practical advice on how to adapt your eating habits to support a healthy body and mind, backed by scientific research. It's a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in nutritional science and its impact on health and longevity.
10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works—A True Story by Dan Harris
In this memoir and self-help guide, ABC News anchor Dan Harris recounts his journey towards mindfulness and meditation after having a panic attack on live TV. Harris provides an honest and humorous look at how meditation can reduce stress and improve overall well-being, without sacrificing ambition or success. It's an accessible and engaging read for those skeptical about meditation and its benefits for both the body and mind.
For support in your nervous system health, check out my library of free yoga and meditation videos on Celebrate Again Yoga.
Self Development Books for Relationships
We know that at the heart of all beautiful relationships is self-love in relationships. And that the real reason you are disconnected in a relationship is because of something going on inside. However, these books can help you along your journey in relationships.
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman
Chapman's book is a perennial favorite for understanding how people express and experience love differently. By identifying and learning to speak your partner's love language (Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch), you can foster a deeper and more fulfilling relationship. This book is invaluable for anyone looking to strengthen their romantic relationships.
Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Dr. Sue Johnson
Dr. Johnson uses the insights from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help couples develop stronger, more secure attachments by understanding their patterns of interaction. Through seven transformative conversations, the book guides couples in exploring and improving their relationships, making it a powerful resource for those wanting to deepen their emotional connection.
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg
This book provides a powerful approach to improving personal and professional relationships. Focusing on compassionate listening and speaking, Rosenberg's techniques help individuals express their needs clearly and empathetically, and to listen to others without judgment. It's particularly effective for those looking to enhance their communication skills in any type of relationship.
If you want to go deeper on a somatic/ mind-body connection level where you can really begin to shift in your relationship, check out my couples connection experiences and a 90 minute workshop that you can watch today with your partner.
Self Development Books on Habits for Success
Habits are what we do every day, and what you do every day is what makes up your life. Read that again, and then consider what habits you want to cultivate. Then, as someone who’s been through it in life, I want to challenge you to consider if you knew you had a limited time left, what habits would bring you the most joy? Go do those as you use these books to find them.
Because if you make any habit because you feel you “should,” I’m gonna be real honest, it’s going to be hard to keep doing and not also compromise a beautiful piece of you that in most of us is begging to be heard, that of our desires. (More on desires in this blog post.)
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Clear's book offers a comprehensive guide to understanding how habits work and how small changes can lead to remarkable results. Through a combination of scientific research and real-world examples, "Atomic Habits" provides practical strategies for forming good habits, breaking bad ones, and mastering the tiny behaviors that lead to outstanding results. This book is essential for anyone looking to make lasting changes in their life.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
Duhigg explores the science behind why habits exist and how they can be changed, presenting an engaging and insightful look at habit formation. Through captivating narratives, he illustrates how habits impact our lives and how they can be transformed to foster success. The book includes useful frameworks for understanding and adjusting your habits to improve your personal and professional life.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Covey's classic book has influenced millions by outlining seven habits that can help individuals achieve more success and satisfaction in life. These habits focus on personal and interpersonal effectiveness, covering principles such as taking initiative, prioritizing, and seeking mutually beneficial solutions. It's a foundational text for anyone interested in personal development and effectiveness.
Common Questions about Self Help and Self Development Books?
Do Therapists Recommend Self-Help Books?
What is the difference between self-help and self improvement books?
There isn’t a difference between self-help and self-improvement books from a categorical state. As an indie book publisher, when books get categorized, these terms are used interchangeably by bookstores and how books are organized on a government level.
- However, you could say that books around self-help are centered around a mindset that you are rescuing yourself from a victim mentality, whereas self-improvement books focus on seeking growth, so one is focused on a pain point you are experiencing, and one is focusing on your beautiful ability as a human to grow. So, if you want to differentiate how a publisher markets a book, you could look at the difference between those terms and what resonates with you in your own personal journey.
Why is it a waste of time to read self-help books?
If you do absolutely nothing after you read a book, it’s a sure waste of time. Books are only as effective as the actions, patterns and habits you change after reading the book.
Can I read books instead of therapy?
You certainly can read books instead of going to therapy. However, the key support you have in therapy is having someone be able to see your blind spots of where you can grow that you cannot otherwise see. This is why relationships are so important in our growth journey, not just romantic relationships but friendships and therapy relationships. When we come to interact with others is when what’s really going on in our default programming (what self improvement is aiming to rewire), and we get to more clearly look at it. All good relationships are just giant mirrors of what we’re experiencing, and sometimes we don’t know what we “look” like until we get that mirror.
Cheers to Embarking on Your Personal Development Journey
My dear, I’m excited for you to grab one or many of these books, crack them open, and be on your beautiful journey. However, I want to gently and loveingly encourage you that information is just step one, so I created customized Roadmaps for anyone on their self-improvement and personal development journey. They are entirely free to begin, and you start by taking a self-awareness quiz to see where you can begin your growth. Inside each different road map are talks (bit size portions of what some of these books will cover), somatic-based yoga practices that will help you link up what you’re learning with your body, and journal prompts to get you digging into your patterns and subconscious/programmed beliefs that you can finally decide maybe you really don’t want to keep those.
Do you have a book you think needs to be added to the list? Drop a comment with your favorite book, or share this blog post on social media!
Happy growing,
Lumalia
Want to read more right now?
Find more self-discovery topics here:
- Lumalia’s memoir Blooming Upside Down: A Memoir of Healing from the Incurable
- Self Care
- Siren Archetype
- Back Home in my Body Workshop
- 30 Day Self-Care Challenge
- Self Awareness Quiz
- Feeling Lost in Life
- How to Feel Your Feelings
- Women’s Retreat Oregon and Wellness Experiences in Portland, Oregon
- Self Love Retreat with Flower Therapy and Rose Baths
- Self-Love in Relationships & Why It’s Important
- Living Life To the Fullest
- How I Cured My Autoimmune Disease and Learned to Cope with Chronic Illness
- 200+ Self Love Quotes
- The Journey In
- Is it a Sin to Explore Your Body? Empowering Female Sexuality
- Best Self Improvement Books
- Your Body As Poetry
- Goodbye Good Girl: Healing your inner child
- How to Stop Your Inner Critic
- Tree of Life Mythology and Mind Body Connection
- Eye Candy of the Northern Lights in Oregon
- Wellness Retreats in Oregon 2024
- Healing Trip: Self Discovery Retreat