Living our best lives is a universal aspiration, but the path to getting there can be overwhelming. With numerous demands on our time and energy, from achieving professional success to nurturing meaningful relationships and prioritizing well-being, it’s no wonder that we often feel stuck. Amidst the sea of self-help books promising quick fixes and easy answers, it’s refreshing to find titles that offer more nuanced and thoughtful approaches.
Our list of 20 recommended reads spans a range of topics, from traditional self-help guides to unconventional explorations of sociology, psychology, memoir, poetry, and even comics. While these books may not always conform to our expectations, they all share a common goal: helping us uncover what an authentic, purposeful, and fulfilling life looks like.
By exploring new perspectives on self-care, societal expectations, and finding joy outside the grind culture, we hope that these books will inspire you to create your own unique path to living your best life.
Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
The societal emphasis on constant productivity often portrays rest as a luxury, rather than a fundamental aspect of human well-being. However, Tricia Hersey, a poet, performance artist, and activist, challenges this narrative by embracing the title ‘Nap Bishop.’ Hersey passionately argues that we are worthy of rest, regardless of our accomplishments or perceived value.
In fact, lack of sleep and the relentless pursuit of productivity can be dehumanizing, perpetuating the grind culture that is deeply rooted in capitalist values. By prioritizing rest and reclamation of time for oneself, individuals can resist these oppressive forces while cultivating greater happiness and overall health.
Hersey’s inspiring philosophy is explored further in her book ‘Rest is Resistance,’ where she delves into the transformative power of napping as a means to live one’s best life.
Glow in the F*cking Dark: Simple Practices to Heal Your Soul by Tara Schuster
Tara Schuster’s personal journey is a testament to the human capacity for growth and resilience. Despite having overcome childhood traumas and developed effective strategies for self-love, she faced another significant challenge when her TV writing job came to an abrupt end. This transformative experience led her to re-evaluate her life and share valuable insights with readers.
In her memoir/self-help book, Schuster offers a deeply personal account of what she learned from her struggles and practical advice on how to heal and nurture oneself. The book also provides guidance on shifting away from a ‘good enough’ mindset and instead striving for one’s true desires and deservingness. For those seeking inspiration, Schuster’s first book, Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies, is an equally compelling read that explores her journey towards self-love and healing from trauma.
Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness by Pooja Lakshmin, MD
In recent years, there’s been a growing emphasis on self-care as a path to improved mental health. However, this trend often gets distorted by societal pressure to prioritize pampering and indulgence over genuine self-awareness and resilience. In reality, true self-care is about more than just treating oneself to massages or yoga classes – it’s about cultivating habits that promote long-term wellness. Psychiatrist Dr.
Pooja Lakshmin offers a refreshing alternative in her book, where she delves into the science behind effective self-care. Rather than focusing on fleeting escapes or superficial measures of happiness, she provides actionable advice rooted in real case studies and evidence-based research.
The result is a practical guide to sustainable self-care that empowers individuals to establish healthy boundaries, understand their own needs, and develop coping strategies for long-term survival – not just momentary escape.
The How: Notes on the Great Work of Meeting Yourself by Yrsa Daley-Ward
To truly thrive, you must forge your own path rather than trying to conform to others’ expectations. The key lies in embracing the authentic, inner voice that refuses to be boxed in by societal norms. Yrsa Daley-Ward’s captivating work, ‘The How’, serves as a powerful catalyst for self-discovery and creativity, guiding readers on an uplifting journey of self-acceptance and empowerment.
Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Tunde Oyeneyin
Tunde Oyeneyin, a Peloton instructor with an impressive social media following, has built a reputation for spreading joy and positivity. Her memoir and self-help book, Speak, further solidify her influence by sharing the core principles of her SPEAK philosophy: surrender, power, empathy, authenticity, and knowledge. What sets Oyeneyin apart from typical motivational speakers is that her story and guidance transcend mere pep talks.
Instead, they offer a powerful testament to the transformative potential of living a purpose-driven life, one that can help individuals grow and evolve despite the challenges they face.
Be a Triangle: How I Went from Being Lost to Getting My Life into Shape by Lilly Singh
While it’s certainly easier to thrive when everything is going smoothly, the question remains: how can we emerge from painful challenges and setbacks stronger than ever? Actress and author Lilly Singh has explored this very topic in her book Be a Triangle.
There, she offers valuable insights on preparing oneself for life’s inevitable twists and turns, urging readers to adopt the resilient framework of a triangle – solid at its base, allowing us to remain grounded and resistant to external forces that might seek to topple us. This engaging, relatable read not only provides a blueprint for navigating life’s ups and downs but also inspires us to cultivate the strength and fortitude necessary to face adversity head-on.
Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny Odell
Be Not Afraid of Love: Lessons on Fear, Intimacy, and Connection by Mimi Zhu
In the grand tapestry of life, connection, friendship, and love are the threads that weave together to form a rich fabric of human experience. However, the scars of painful past experiences can make it dauntingly difficult to welcome the love and support we deserve in all aspects of relationships. Mimi Zhu’s personal journey, marked by survival of an abusive relationship with a romantic partner, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of relearning how to open ourselves up to love.
Through these heartfelt essays, Zhu offers a tender and compassionate guide for readers struggling to accept intimate connections in their romantic, platonic, and familial lives. The end result is a life-affirming testament to the transformative power of love and connection.
LifePass: Drop Your Limits, Rise to Your Potential by Payal Kadakia
Success is a highly personal concept, as exemplified by Payal Kadakia, the founder of ClassPass, a billion-dollar fitness platform. While she built her successful business, her vision extends beyond entrepreneurship to a philosophy for achieving authenticity and fulfillment in all areas of life.
In this book, Kadakia offers practical tools and strategies to help readers set and work towards their own unique goals, acknowledging that every individual’s path is distinct due to their varied backgrounds and challenges. This self-help guide eschews one-size-fits-all solutions, instead seeking to meet readers where they are and inspire them to move forward with purpose.
The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power by Katherine Morgan Schafler
Being a perfectionist can have both positive and negative effects on one’s well-being. On the one hand, it can drive individuals to strive for excellence and work towards their goals with unwavering dedication. However, this relentless pursuit of perfectionism can also take a significant toll on mental health and overall satisfaction.
According to psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler, who has worked extensively with high-achieving professionals, there are distinct personality types that emerge among those who struggle with perfectionism. These include classic, intense, Parisian, messy, and procrastinating perfectionists.
By recognizing and understanding these different types, individuals can begin to develop strategies for harnessing the benefits of their perfectionistic tendencies while also learning to accept and love themselves as they are – imperfections and all.
Take Back Your Power: 10 New Rules for Women at Work by Deborah Liu
Are you tired of feeling disrespected at work, despite your best efforts to thrive? Deborah Liu’s latest book is a must-read for anyone seeking to break down barriers and achieve greater recognition. As an executive with a deep understanding of the Silicon Valley landscape, Liu candidly addresses the pervasive disparities that lead to women being underpaid, overlooked, and underestimated.
With her unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise, she offers practical advice on how to push back against gender bias and assert your authority in the workplace. This empowering read is particularly valuable for early-career professionals seeking to develop their advocacy skills and secure the respect they deserve.
Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on our collective psyche, instilling widespread anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. As we navigate this new normal, Katherine May’s thought-provoking book, Enchantment, serves as a poignant reminder of the simple joys that can be found in the world around us. Amidst the chaos and division, May finds solace in nature’s majesty and the quiet beauty that often goes unnoticed.
Her enchanting tale masterfully weaves together themes of creativity, wonder, and happiness, demonstrating that even in the most trying times, serenity and hope can be rediscovered through the simplest of acts – like taking a stroll and observing the everyday wonders that bind us to the earth.
Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life by Roxie Nafousi
Are you unclear about what you want to achieve in life, yet struggling to turn those desires into reality? Enter the realm of manifesting, a potent technique for bringing your goals to life through concentrated intention. In this groundbreaking book, renowned expert Roxie Nafousi shares a seven-step framework for bridging the gap between envisioning your ideal future and making it a tangible part of your existence.
This empowering methodology serves as a guiding light, ensuring that your words and actions harmonize to manifest the life you’ve always envisioned.
Inciting Joy: Essays by Ross Gay
While many view joy as the ultimate reward for hard work and perseverance, poet Ross Gay challenges this notion by suggesting that joy can be found in the most unexpected moments. According to Gay, joy is often intertwined with difficulty, pain, and fear, making it a constant companion rather than something reserved for special occasions. In his essays, Gay shares his own experiences of finding joy in everyday activities like tending to his community garden or playing pickup basketball.
By reevaluating our assumptions about joy, we can begin to appreciate its presence in our daily lives and cultivate a deeper sense of satisfaction.
All the Gold Stars: Reimagining Ambition and the Ways We Strive by Rainesford Stauffer
Living your best life is often hindered by the insidious force of burnout. As emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion take their toll, it becomes increasingly clear that ignoring one’s own needs in pursuit of career ambitions can have devastating consequences. In her thought-provoking book, All the Gold Stars, Rainesford Stauffer sheds light on how societal expectations to dedicate our lives to our work and endless ambition create unsustainable patterns that inevitably lead to disappointment.
Furthermore, she examines how these cultural pressures disproportionately affect women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals, revealing a complex web of biases and power imbalances. Ultimately, Stauffer presents innovative approaches for redefining personal worth beyond productivity and professional achievement, offering hope for a more authentic and fulfilling existence.
The Way of Nagomi: The Japanese Philosophy of Finding Balance and Peace in Everything You Do by Ken Mogi
While striving for happiness and success, life inevitably brings its share of pain, loss, and difficulty. Yet, this doesn’t mean one can’t cultivate peace and harmony amidst challenges. The concept of nagomi, as explored by neuroscientist Ken Mogi in his book The Way of Nagomi, offers a unique approach to finding balance in both positive and negative experiences.
This Japanese perspective on mental wellness is surprisingly relevant beyond its cultural boundaries, influencing everything from traditional foods and holidays to overall well-being. Mogi’s toolkit for embracing nagomi provides practical guidance on how to integrate this philosophy into daily life, ultimately leading to increased satisfaction and happiness even in turbulent times.
Misfits: A Personal Manifesto by Michaela Coel
You’ll never discover true fulfillment by trying to conform to societal expectations of what’s considered cool, impressive, or successful. Instead, you must embrace your authentic self, flaws and all. Michaela Coel, creator and star of the critically acclaimed series I May Destroy You, achieved artistic success not through creating content she thought others would appreciate, but by staying true to her unique voice and perspective.
Her Netflix special Misfits offers a candid reflection on how her differences have actually been key to her creative genius, celebrating the power of being an outcast and embracing one’s individuality as a path to genuine happiness.
Graceful Exits: Making the Case for Getting Good at Goodbye by Geri Reid Suster
Embracing new experiences and connections is just one aspect of living your best life. Equally important is recognizing when it’s time to bid farewell to things that no longer serve us. Geri Reid Suster astutely observes that goodbyes are an inevitable part of our journey, whether it’s saying goodbye to loved ones, leaving a job or home behind, navigating the end of a relationship, or facing other forms of change.
Rather than viewing these transitions as merely painful, we can learn to approach them with a sense of appreciation and power. By acknowledging that growth often arises from letting go and moving forward, we can cultivate a more intentional and healthy approach to difficult goodbyes. For those seeking guidance on navigating such transitions, Suster’s book offers valuable insights and practical wisdom.
The Likeability Trap: How to Break Free and Succeed As You Are by Alicia Menendez
The notion that successful women must be likable is a paradox that perpetuates inequality. Journalist Alicia Menendez, who has navigated the complexities of high-power careers as an MSNBC and PBS commentator, sheds light on the widespread and harmful stereotypes surrounding successful females. Rather than offering advice on how to become more palatable, Menendez challenges readers to reject the pressure to conform to societal expectations.
She advocates for women embracing their authenticity, taking charge of their lives, and reframing leadership norms by breaking free from constraints. Ultimately, this empowering book encourages self-love and a reduced reliance on external validation, empowering individuals to thrive in their own unique way.
Goodbye, Again: Essays, Reflections, and Illustrations by Jonny Sun
Jonny Sun’s artistic endeavors are renowned for their unique blend of humor and visual flair. His book, Goodbye, Again, not only showcases his signature style but also delves into profound themes such as authenticity, compassion, and self-care. By weaving together illustrations, personal essays, and concise writings, Sun offers a thought-provoking exploration of happiness, mental well-being, and creative expression in the face of adversity.
While it may deviate from traditional self-help narratives, the book fosters a sense of introspective connection, encouraging readers to embrace their true selves and live with sincerity. If you’re looking for more inspiring reads, we recommend exploring our curated lists: 24 Life-Changing Healing Books, 9 Self-Help Books That Actually Help, and 5 Non-Spiritual Self-Help Books to Navigate Trying Times.