12 Must-Read Self-Improvement Books That Will Change Your Life

Reading self-improvement books is a top habit of successful people. Have you ever heard the quote that “readers are leaders”? Or, “the more you learn, the more you earn”?

It may sound cliche, but cliches are a thing because they are true. A pretty common trend amongst highly successful people is that they read. A LOT!

---

As an affiliate partner of various brands and sponsored content, HerPaperRoute may earn commission on qualifying purchases. Disclaimer | Advertise With Us

---

And that’s because it’s one of, if not the best way to learn or master something you are interested in.

If you want to improve your life, a wise thing to do wouldn’t be to take advice from someone who was in your shoes or in a way worse situation in life, but managed to survive and actually succeed in it?

If your answer is YES, then keep on reading.

12 Must-Read Self-Improvement Books That Will Change Your Life

Benefits of reading books⁽¹⁾:

• Strengthens your mind.
• Improves concentration.
• Relieves stress.
• Aids good sleep quality.
• Prevents cognitive decline and diseases.
• Helps you collect the thoughts and views of others and develop an educated opinion.
• Increases imagination and creativity.

Here is a tip I wish I had known when I started reading non-fiction book:.

When you start the habit of reading, don’t force yourself to read a book a week. Instead, just gradually get into it and you’ll actually start to enjoy it.

I made that mistake before and I put a lot of pressure on myself to read, and as a result, I didn’t stick to it.

So, grab a cup of coffee or tea, sit in a comfortable position and let’s go over the top 10 best books for self-improvement and self-help!

Audible right now offers a 30-day free trial where you can get 2 audiobooks of your choice, FREE of charge! You can get this offer here.

1. Atomic Habits By James Clear

This is the book you want to read if you want to be consistent with your habits this year.

It talks about how and why habits are formed and how you can use that information to make or break any habit that you want.

Author James Clear is a speaker focused on habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement.

His work has appeared in the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Time, and on CBS This Morning.

James starts by sharing personal strategies he implemented to recover from a serious accident in high school.

That event forced him to improve the quality of his routine to get his life in order, coming to the conclusion that “we all deal with setbacks, but in the long run, the quality of our lives often depends on the quality of our habits. With the same habits, you will end up with the same results. But with better habits, anything is possible.”

You can get a copy of the book here.

2. We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power by Rachel Rodgers

In We Should All Be Millionaires, Rachel Rodgers delivers a powerful, no-nonsense guide aimed at empowering women to take control of their financial destinies.

As an accomplished entrepreneur and business coach, Rodgers brings a wealth of experience and a refreshing perspective to the conversation about wealth building, particularly for women who have been historically marginalized. The book’s core message is clear: financial empowerment is not just a possibility for women but a necessity.

Rodgers argues that traditional advice on personal finance often overlooks the unique challenges women face, such as the gender pay gap and societal expectations. She specifically advocates for women of color, and LGBQT+ women who are systematically more disadvantaged in discussions around social and economic advancement.

She encourages women to overcome these barriers by adopting a millionaire mindset, which includes rejecting limiting beliefs, setting ambitious financial goals, and unapologetically pursuing wealth. Rodgers’ writing is both relatable and inspiring, infused with personal anecdotes and practical strategies.

She breaks down complex financial concepts into digestible, actionable steps, making it accessible for readers at any stage of their financial journey. Whether discussing the importance of setting boundaries, negotiating salaries, or investing wisely, Rodgers provides concrete advice that is both empowering and achievable.

One of the book’s standout features is its focus on community and the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive and like-minded individuals. Rodgers emphasizes that building wealth is not just an individual endeavor but a collective one, where lifting each other up can create a ripple effect of positive change.

Overall, We Should All Be Millionaires is a must-read for any woman looking to transform her financial future. Rodgers’ blend of tough love, practical advice, and inspirational stories makes this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to break free from financial limitations and build lasting wealth.

You can get a copy of the book here.

3. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

This one came recommended to me by my hair stylist, as well as a colleague in my mastermind. It’s a quick read that will give you a MASSIVE kick of motivation to just get up and CREATE, already.

In The War of Art, Steven Pressfield offers a profound exploration of the internal struggles that creatives face, providing insightful and practical advice on overcoming these barriers. This compact yet powerful book is a must-read for artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and anyone who has ever struggled with procrastination or self-doubt.

Pressfield introduces the concept of “Resistance,” a universal force that stands between us and our creative potential. According to Pressfield, Resistance manifests in various forms, such as fear, procrastination, and self-doubt, and it is the primary obstacle to achieving our goals. The author masterfully personifies Resistance, making it a tangible enemy that readers can recognize and confront in their own lives.

The book is divided into three sections: “Resistance: Defining the Enemy,” “Combating Resistance: Turning Pro,” and “Beyond Resistance: Higher Realm.” In the first section, Pressfield vividly describes the many ways Resistance can sabotage our creative efforts.

The second section offers strategies for overcoming these obstacles, advocating for a professional mindset in approaching creative work. Pressfield emphasizes discipline, consistency, and the importance of showing up every day, regardless of whether inspiration strikes. The final section delves into the spiritual aspects of creativity, suggesting that overcoming Resistance allows us to connect with a higher purpose.

Pressfield’s writing is concise and direct, often laced with a no-nonsense tone that cuts through excuses and rationalizations. His personal anecdotes and experiences add authenticity and relatability to his advice. The book’s brevity and accessible style make it an easy read, yet its impact is lasting.

Overall, The War of Art is an empowering manifesto for anyone struggling to pursue their creative passions. Pressfield’s insights provide a roadmap for transforming resistance into action, making this book an invaluable guide for unlocking one’s creative potential and achieving personal and professional fulfillment.

You can get a copy of the book here.

4. The One Thing By Gary Keller & Jay Papasan

What’s your ONE thing in life? The one thing that you put all of your energy, concentration, and resources on?

I always say that it’s totally okay and normal to not know what your passion, your ONE thing is, but it’s not normal to not be on constant research of it every single DAY.

If you haven’t found that one thing in life that you absolutely love doing, this book is for you.

It gives you a step-by-step guide on how to find your passion and your so-called purpose in life.

The idea that you should focus on the area where you can have the biggest impact on performance makes a great deal of sense.

It’s the logic for the weakest link of the chain and the main idea behind the Theory of Constraints.

You can get a copy of the book here.

5. Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope By Mark Manson

Mark Manson has succeeded in explaining a crazy world to an entire generation by invoking hard science, moral philosophy, and a bit of dark humor. 

This book is guaranteed to make you laugh, question your beliefs, and (hopefully) change your life.

What Mark gives you by reading this book is clarity.

Clarity of who we are as humans and reasons behind our tendencies to mess things up due to our emotions, prejudices, biases, cultures, religions, myths, and ultimately by having hope.

He explains why hope is the reason we decide to live on and create meaning in our lives.

But at the same time, hope also causes ultimate destruction in the world. And he suggests that ironically by eliminating hope, that action gives us the insight to see the world as it is.

You can get a copy of the book here.

6. The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People By Stephen R. Covey

One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated listeners for nearly three decades.

It has transformed the lives of presidents and CEOs, educators and parents – millions of people of all ages and occupations.

That’s why it is one of the best personal-development books in existence in today’s world.

Now, this 30th-anniversary edition of the timeless classic commemorates the wisdom of the 7 Habits with modern additions from Sean Covey. 

Also, if you’re having trouble managing and finding a balance between your personal and work life, this book is made for you.

You can get a copy of the book here.

7. The Power Of Now By Eckhart Tolle

Another book you must read, The Power Of Now is a classic.

It’s all about being mindful of the present moment, why it is so important, and why the present moment is the only real thing that you have.

The past and the future are just illusions of your mind. Reading and understanding this concept on a deep level will release so much stress and worry from your life, it would just help you to be happier and more joyful in your everyday life.

Also, check out this review from Amazon, I think it speaks for itself:

You can get a copy of the book here.

8. I Will Teach You To Be Rich By Ramit Sethi

These past few years have been crazy for finances. It’s been the best time for gains for some and the worst time for losses for others.

Realizing that investing, financial security and freedom, saving money, all of that isn’t as complex as people make it.

You just have to know the rules, if you want to play the game. And that’s exactly the whole point of this book, hence why the title.

Ramit goes on how to set yourself and your finances up for the next 10-30 years, so you can be set for life.

You can get a copy of the book here.

9. Can’t Hurt Me By David Goggins

If you don’t know David Goggins, well let’s say that he is basically a super-human.

He has literally found a way to hack and manipulate his brain into doing just about anything you can think of, without letting pain and any sort of fear get in the way of accomplishing his tasks, challenges, etc.

This book is more than just another self-help book.

David Goggins is the real deal; a man who came from struggle and hardship accomplished many impressive feats and became one of the toughest men alive.

In this book, he lays out his life story, with all the hardships he faced and how he came out stronger for it.

If you need an inspirational push to push pass your situation, excuses, and/or life’s obstacles, this book is called Master Your Mind, and that’s exactly what it does.

You can get a copy of the book here.

10. How To Be Yourself By Ellen Hendriksen

If you struggle with any type of anxiety, this book is a game-changer.

In an engaging and readable style, Dr. Hendriksen gives us step-by-step advice based on documented psychological research that makes breaking out from our Inner Critic and “busting the myths” of social anxiety possible.

I was surprised to find that a technique that I’ve been using on my own to control my social anxiety is being recommended in this book.

So, if you’ve been struggling with any form of anxiety and you feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of running thoughts clouding your brain, I highly recommend reading this book.

You can get a copy of the book here.

11. The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck By Mark Manson

This one was actually the first self-help book that I read, and it completely changed my perspective and outlook on life.

Manson advises us to get to know our limitations and accept them.

Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek. 

The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck is a deeply inspiring book about values and purpose cleverly disguised in crude four-letter vulgarity, negativity, and apocalyptic doom.

There is no soft puffy cloud prancing unicorns offering hugs on colorful rainbows, only F-bomb explosions, and brutal smack-you-in-the-face reality slaps.

But by the time you finish reading it, you’ll find yourself tingling with promise. The world suddenly seems brighter and lighter.

I can’t recommend this enough.

You can get a copy of the book here.

12. Think Like A Monk By Jay Shetty

Expect a book that is a detailed read, one that is bound to take you days to read, and weeks or months to fully implement the lessons that it has to teach.

Also, expect a book that is not about growing professionally, but about growing personally and spiritually.

“Think Like a Monk” is a book that helps us live a more peaceful and purposeful life; one that is full of gratitude and brimming with positivity. No, the book doesn’t promise us overnight miracles, but what it does promise is a sense of calmness, a change of attitude, more love, more positivity, and better clarity of who we are. 

Contrary to popular beliefs and general wisdom, Jay Shetty offers you an opposite viewpoint on concepts like multitasking, venting out frustrations, feelings, and emotions, and the importance of succeeding early in life.

You can get a copy of the book here.

12 Must-Read Self-Improvement Books That Will Change Your Life – Conclusion

That was a list of the top 10 personal development books you have to read this year that will improve your life drastically.

Which of these books are you going to read? Or what’s your top 10? Let me know in the comments down below!

Read this next:

• Best Personal Finance Books You Must Read.
• Easy Morning Habits Successful People Swear By

Follow along on Instagram!