No matter who you are, you’re going to face troubles at some point in your life. There will be obstacles you may not know how to traverse. Life can be difficult at times, but you don’t always have to face those problems on your own. No matter the circumstance, there most likely exists a remedy to your problems. In this article we’ve compiled the best self-help books just for you.
Perhaps that remedy comes in the form of a self-help book. Most situations aren’t 100% unique to the person. Someone else has gone through that previous and survived well enough to tell the tale. The answer usually lies with the person taking responsibility for themselves. They must create healing from the inside. With that comes the self-help (or self-improvement) genre.
What Did These Self-help Books Do To Qualify For This List
Any time you are ranking the best of something the results are usually somewhat subjective but we have did our best to come up with a list the readers of the self-help genre will truly like. To come up with this list we took into account:
- quantity and quality of user reviews
- sales data
- public perception
- opinions of readers of this genres
- commercial success
- and of course personal opinion
Take a look at the best Self-help Books you can read right now:
Table of Contents
Best Adventure Books
Here are the best Self-care books by the experts:
1)Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis
Book Summary:With painful honesty and fearless humor, Rachel unpacks and examines the falsehoods that once left her feeling overwhelmed and unworthy, and reveals the specific practical strategies that helped her move past them. In the process, she encourages, entertains, and even kicks a little butt, all to convince you to do whatever it takes to get real and become the joyous, confident woman you were meant to be.
- Book Reviews:
2)Best Self: Be You, Only Better by Mike Bayer
Book Summary:By working through each of the seven SPHERES of life – social, personal, health, education, relationships, employment, and spiritual development – Best Self is an accessible and interactive audiobook that distills all of Coach Mike’s wisdom into a compact, focused guide that will ignite anyone’s desire for change. Best Self will empower you to embrace your authenticity, acknowledge what is holding you back, and break through to live a passionate life to the fullest, forever.
- Book Reviews:
3)Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking by S.J. Scott
Book Summary:Feel overwhelmed by your thoughts? Struggling with anxiety about your daily tasks? Or do you want to stop worrying about life? The truth is we all experience the occasional negative thought. But if you always feel overwhelmed, then you need to closely examine how these thoughts are negatively impacting your lifestyle.
- Book Reviews:
4)The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
Book Summary:In The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz reveals the source of self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create needless suffering. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.
- Book Reviews:
5)Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World by William H. McRaven
Book Summary:On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their Commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university’s slogan, “What starts here changes the world,” he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life; and he explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change themselves-and the world-for the better.
- Book Reviews:
6)Becoming Whole: A Healing Companion to Ease Emotional Pain and Find Self-Love by Bruce Alan Kehr M.D.
Book Summary:Filled with warmth, empathy, and hope, Becoming Whole systematically teaches you how to ease emotional pain in your life and in the lives of those you care about. Powerfully illustrated by “Sessions”–stories of patients in treatment–and for the first time unveiling what goes on inside the heart and mind of a psychotherapist as they heal a patient’s tangled heart
- Book Reviews:
7)How to Make Sh*t Happen: Make more money, get in better shape, create epic relationships and control your life! by Sean Whalen
Book Summary:Is your daily life chaotic and out of control? Do you struggle with work/life balance? Does it feel like there are never enough hours in the day to accomplish all your goals? Does it feel like no matter how hard you try it’s never good enough? Are you looking for a simple yet executable roadmap to create the life you’ve always desired? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you need…HOW TO MAKE SH*T HAPPEN
- Book Reviews:
8)Zen as F*ck: A Journal for Practicing the Mindful Art of Not Giving a Sh*t (Zen as F*ck Journals) by Monica Sweeney (Author)
Book Summary:The road to serenity is ahead, and it’s paved with a f*ck-ton of profanity. When quiet meditation and peaceful mantras aren’t enough to cut through the bullsh*t and brighten your day―hold close the pages of Zen as F*ck. On each and every page, you can give the good around you a warm f*cking hug and kick the bad on its ass. Journal your way through positive affirmations and cathartic-as-f*ck activities on your liberating journey toward something pretty close to happiness.
- Book Reviews:
9)It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered by Lysa TerKeurst
Book Summary:ife often looks so very different than we hoped or expected. Some events may simply catch us off guard for a moment, but others shatter us completely. We feel disappointed and disillusioned, and we quietly start to wonder about the reality of God’s goodness.
- Book Reviews:
10)Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins
Book Summary:For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare – poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a US Armed Forces icon and one of the world’s top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events, inspiring Outsidemagazine to name him The Fittest (Real) Man in America.
- Book Reviews:
Best Self-help Movies
If you enjoyed the best self-help books, why stop there? Take a look at our list of best self-help movies and witness these inspirational films from the big screen.
1)Minimalism: a Documentary About the Important Things
Starring: Dan Harris, Ryan Nicodemus, and Joshua Fields Millburn
Directed by: Matt D’Avella
Movie Summary:How might your life be better with less? Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things examines the many flavors of minimalism by taking the audience inside the lives of minimalists from all walks of life-families, entrepreneurs, architects, artists, journalists, scientists, and even a former Wall Street broker-all of whom are striving to live a meaningful life with less.
Movie Reviews:
Minimalism is so much more than just reducing the amount of material possessions in your life. It’s about living in a simple, stress-free environment where you can optimize what’s most important to you, and your family. The Minimalists hit the nail on the head with their discussion on “compulsory consumption.” For years, and even today, many of us rely on material things to bring us happiness, yet, the void we are trying to fill still remains. Get rid of the clutter (the things that are really in the way of your happiness) and find what’s most important to you…then you will find your true happiness!
-Amazon Reviewer
I saw this film in theaters when it was on tour and ended up buying it to share with others about our journey (as a young family of 5) to minimalism. I appreciate the interviews with many different people who have chosen this way of lifes journey and experience and the interviews with those that have researched marketing, consumerism and it’s effects environmentally, socially and psychologically. Lots of great info, ideas and stories of living a life in simplicity.
-Amazon Reviewer
2)Southpaw
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, and Naomie Harris
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Movie Summary:Jake Gyllenhall stars as boxer Billy “The Great” Hope who turns to a retired fighter (Forest Whitaker) to help him turn his life around for one last epic fight.
Movie Reviews:
This is a fabulous movie, the storyline is incredible and the actors in this movie all are outstanding. This movie is definitely on my list of favorites without a doubt. It is not just a movie but its about being on top and falling and going through struggles and after loss of loved ones and more this guy fought though it. The boxing is incredible its so friggin real and the cuts, bruises, I mean they didn’t half do this movie at all they pulled out all the stops. But wait, Forest Whittaker was outstanding and I don’t want to give away the movie but he moved me in this movie. Just order it or rent it you will not be disappointed, I wasn’t and I don’t like most movies. BRAVO TO SOUTHPAW!!!!!
-Amazon Reviewer
3)The Greatest Showman
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams
Directed by: Michael Gracey
Movie Summary:Hugh Jackman stars in this bold and original musical – inspired by the ambition and imagination of P.T. Barnum – celebrating the birth of show business and dreams coming to life.
Movie Reviews:
LOVED this movie! The music and performances are unforgettable. I have read some negative reviews that complain the movie is too over the top without enough substance- well… that is exactly what I want in a movie like this! Big bold performances, music that you can’t stop singing long after the movie is over and dance numbers that make you wish you were a dancer. I cannot wait to watch it over and over again! A welcome escape from today’s not always happy reality.
-Amazon Reviewer
4)Happy
Starring: Sonja Lyubomirsky and Richard Davidson
Directed by: Roko Belic
Movie Summary:Happy combines cutting-edge science from the new field of positive psychology with real-life stories of people from around the world whose lives illustrate these findings.
Movie Reviews:
I’ve seen this documentary over 10 times and have recommended it to many of my clients (I’ve been a psychologist almost 30 years) as the best introduction to understanding human happiness (hint: it’s NOT what most of us have been taught in this culture). Well done and mixes research with profiles of happy people around the world. If you have any interest in increasing your own happiness ( and who doesn’t?) give this a viewing and put into practice the things you’ll learn. Truly a gift to all of us!
-Amazon Reviewer
5)Living On One Dollar
Starring: Chris Temple, Zach Ingrasci, Sean Leonard
Directed by: Chris Temple, Zach Ingrasci, Ryan Christoffersen, Sean Leonard
Movie Summary:Four young friends set out to live on just $1 a day for two months in rural Guatemala. Armed with only a video camera, they battle hunger, parasites, and extreme financial stress as they attempt to survive life on the edge.
Movie Reviews:
I was skeptical at first. A bunch of young white guys exploiting poverty to make a movie? But I was wrong and am so glad I took the time to watch this. It was eye-opening and they did an awesome job. I feel like I know those people and have a new understanding of how fortunate we are and I will definitely be checking out the website to see how to make a difference.
-Amazon Reviewer
Best Self-help Audio Books
Now that you’ve seen our list of the best self-help books and movies, I’m sure you’ll be interested in trying out more of the best self-help books in audio!
1)Managing Oneself by Peter F Drucker
Book Summary:“Success in the knowledge economy comes to those who know themselves – their strengths, their values, and how they best perform.” -Peter F. Drucker
Throughout history, people had little need to manage their careers – they were born into their stations in life or, in the recent past, they relied on their companies to chart their career paths. But times have drastically changed. Today we must all learn to manage ourselves.
Book Reviews:
-Amazon Reviewer
2)Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns
Book Summary:The good news is that anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self-esteem, and other ‘black holes’ of depression can be cured without drugs. In Feeling Good, eminent psychiatrist David D. Burns, M.D. outlines the remarkable, scientifically proven self-help techniques that will immediately lift your spirits and help you develop a positive outlook on life.
Book Reviews:
It’s been 6 months since I read this book and I couldn’t be more thankful for it. It’s been a major driver behind me getting better and being able to genuinely enjoy life again. I’d honestly recommend this to anyone, regardless if they’re struggling with depression/mental illness or not – anyone could benefit from this book.
-Amazon Reviewer
I still have about 200 pages to go but this book has already helped me tremendously. It’s a rather simple idea that only one’s thoughts can affect one’s mood, but once you dig deeper and really understand what this concept means, it can have a large and significant impact on your life. People who suffer from anxiety and depression have a common them amongst their thoughts, being distortion. Burns explains that in order to master the art of feeling good, you must recognize your distorted and unrealistic thoughts as soon as you have them. By calling immediate attention to the absurdity of these negative thoughts, you learn to “fight back” and prevent yourself from believing these thoughts, rendering them useless. Nothing in life is a simple fix, but if you can commit, this book can help you head down the right path to alleviate anxiety and to ultimately lead a happier life.
-Amazon Reviewer
3)Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh
Book Summary:In the rush of modern life, we tend to lose touch with the peace that is available in each moment. World-renowned Zen master, spiritual leader, and author Thich Nhat Hanh shows us how to make positive use of the situations that usually pressure and antagonize us. A ringing telephone can be a signal to call us back to our true selves. Dirty dishes, red lights, and traffic jams are spiritual friends on the path to “mindfulness” – the process of keeping our consciousness alive to our present experience and reality. The most profound satisfactions, the deepest feelings of joy and completeness lie as close at hand as our next aware breath and the smile we can form right now.
Book Reviews:
could not get enough of Thich’s books. His mediation technique is fantastic. I am breathing better than before but calmness. I just finished reading “You are Here,” such a great book. Even though he is a Buddhist monk, this book is for everyone. I love how he does not push you to be Buddhist but to except love and peace. From time to time, I get so stressed out from work and life, with this book it really helps me bring down my anger, and mediate. I recommend this book to everyone.
-Amazon Reviewer
Peace is Every Step has helped many of my friends and family members get through rough (or even smooth!) times in their lives. This book is a must-have if you are going through any kind of stressful situation or you are just looking for simple ways to live mindfully. It is organized in very short chapters which are perfect if you want to read one quick chapter a day and then think on it. The messages are easy to understand and provide such accessible wisdom compared to other books of this nature which can be ponderous, new-agey, or overly complicated. My life is better since this book came into my life, and I will never be without a copy.
-Amazon Reviewer
4)The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
Book Summary:In The Power of Habit, award-winning business reporter Charles Duhigg takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed. Distilling vast amounts of information into engrossing narratives that take us from the boardrooms of Procter & Gamble to the sidelines of the NFL to the front lines of the civil rights movement, Duhigg presents a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential. At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. As Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives.
Book Reviews:
Use the Power of Habit to make the changes that you’ve wanted to make but haven’t gotten around to. I’ve learned to exercise regularly, wake up early, and make healthier food choices. My habits and systems have improved my wellness, and if it worked for me, then it can definitely work for you. I’ve also picked up a positive habit of reading at night before bed instead of mindlessly scrolling on my phone.
-Amazon Reviewer
WOW! This is one of those books you read, and re-read, and then re-read again because there is SO much good packed in it. I love the way that Duhigg, the author, gives abundant examples of what it means to have a habit and how it has been done successfully by key players. The book is both scientifically sound from a psychological point of view, as well as inspirational, also from a psychological point of view. He blends both the science and the practical (“I can do this too!”) worlds together.
If you want to get better at a task, a language, a skill or other important trait, this is a book you’ll love. From one eager learner to another (you know it if you are), you will love this book. Don’t hesitate. Buy the thing. Read it. Study it. Apply it. You’ll be glad you did!
-Amazon Reviewer
5)How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Book Summary:You can go after the job you want…and get it! You can take the job you have…and improve it! You can take any situation you’re in…and make it work for you!
Simon & Schuster Audio is proud to present one of the best self-help books of all time, Dale Carnegie’s perennial classic How to Win Friends and Influence People, presented here in its entirety.
For over 60 years the rock-solid, time-tested self-help advice in this audiobook has carried thousands of now-famous people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives.
Book Reviews:
Dale Carnegie’s self-help advice has remained constant and applicable across the years for a reason. It’s simple and his techniques make perfect sense. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be kicking yourself when you see how you could have handled situations differently. I’m being transformed from a socially awkward, timid and defensive person, to someone that seems collected and confident. If you’re having troubles in life and simply can’t figure out what you’re doing wrong, this is a fantastic place to start. Good luck on your journey!
-Amazon Reviewer
Must read for people, like me, who are not “great” in communication and charisma. You need to allocate some attention and time to this book, as it is not from the type of books that you go through them just once. Be prepared to thorogh reading and making notes, and you will notice how your social life, I can say the whole life changes after reading merely several chapters. Definitely in my list of 10 best self-help books.
-Amazon Reviewer
Conclusion
What do you think about our list of best self-help books? If you have another genre that you prefer to read we have probably compiled a list of our favorites for that genre too. So if you are looking for something other than the best self-help books you can find other genres here.
