Top 100 Self Improvement Books to Change Your Life
I am a big fan of reading books as part of my own personal development journey. In this post, I wanted to share a complete list of the top 100 self improvement books that you should read in 2024.
I have created this list from books that I have read (and LOVED) myself as well as titles that have received amazing reviews from others (and I will definitely be reading soon!).
Save this list for your own inspiration. I am currently trying to read 1 book per month as part of my self-improvement challenge for this year. It's amazing what reading a good book can do to your mindset!
Also see: 10 books to read if you want to become a millionaire
I will be honest here. I hate book review posts.
It’s not because I’m not interested in the books (I really love finding a good book!). I just don’t like reading through the same reviews that you can find at the click of a button on Amazon.
So, for this post, I am going to talk a bit about my top 5 self improvement books. I will also share a complete list of 95 other titles that have received excellent ratings and reviews.
100 self improvement books that are worth reading
Let’s get straight to it. Here is a complete list of 100 books for self improvement.
1. The Secret - Rhonda Byrne
This one is a conversation starter for sure! Some people love it and others don’t. Can you guess which team I’m on?
The Secret is a book about The Law of Attraction. The book shares ancient Toltec wisdom to break self-limiting beliefs and manifest your ideal life.
The book uses anecdotes and subjective interpretations of events to help the reader understand the power of The Law of Attraction and Manifestation.
This is a great book if you are open to new perspectives and beliefs.
However, The Secret isn’t for everyone!
I shared this book with a friend who didn’t get on with it because it’s not evidence-based.
I have put this as number 1 because it was the first book I read that shifted my mindset. So, I guess it works well if you don’t mind a bit of subjectivity!
Why I like it:
The Secret is unlike any other self-improvement book that I’ve read. It doesn’t just repeat the same tips that we already know deep down. Instead, it provides an entirely knew way of thinking that can be truly transformative!
2. Atomic Habits - James Clear
If The Secret is to ‘wishy washy’ for you, try Atomic Habits.
The best-selling novel by James Clear became an instant New York Times bestseller. It provides a solid plan for getting better every day. By focusing on small habits, you can get big results. Clear uses science to make his ideas simple and practical.
If I had to sum up this book with one word it would be, ‘actionable’.
You can start putting James’ ideas into practice from day 1 which makes it an excellent read for anyone who wants to start their self-improvement journey right away!
3. Good Vibes, Good Life - Vex King
I like to think of this book as your ultimate cheerleader.
It’s definitely the one for people who are looking for a self improvement book and pick-me-up in one place.
This book delves into the art of raising your vibration to attract good things into your life. The main concept is very similar to The Secret however, this book is slightly more objective and uses scientific explanations to unpick different analogies.
Similarly to Atomic Habits, a lot of the lessons in this book are actionable. This means that you can start applying the advice from day 1.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. It is the perfect book to take on holiday or to read on your daily commute!
4. Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is a timeless classic that looks at what makes big names like Henry Ford so successful.
The book dishes out practical tips and a success formula in 15 chapters. It shares the secret to success: all big wins start as a simple thought, then you act and think positively to make it real.
This is a great read for anyone who is interested in developing a millionaire mindset.
The tips are practical but the book itself is an interesting read. I would recommend this book to someone who has already read a few self improvement books and wants to delve into more complex ideas.
5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
I love this book for a few reasons:
It is actionable (it literally tells you what to do)
It can be applied to any lifestyle
It’s straight-to-the-point
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is called a "life school" for good reason. It's a model that's become super popular. It tells you concrete ways to use Covey's ideas in your life and work. Readers learn to make smart moves and be effective in everything they do.
A complete list of 95 other self help books to read:
As promised, this post will reveal a complete list of 100 self improvement books. Here are 95 other books that have received outstanding reviews from readers.
How to Win Friends & Influence People - Dale Carnegie
The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg
Thinking, Fast and Slow - Kahneman
The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle
Awaken the Giant Within - Tony Robbins
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - Mark Manson
You Are a Badass - Jen Sincero
The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol S. Dweck
Daring Greatly - Brené Brown
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth
Man's Search for Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Start with Why - Simon Sinek
Magic of Thinking Big - David J. Schwartz
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - by Daniel H. Pink
The Miracle Morning - Hal Elrod
Deep Work - Cal Newport
Can't Hurt Me - David Goggins
The 5 AM Club - Robin Sharma
The Art of Happiness - Dalai Lama XIV and Howard Cutler
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less - Greg McKeown
Radical Acceptance - Tara Brach
"Brene Brown: The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown
"Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert
Outliers: The Story of Success - Malcolm Gladwell
The One Thing - Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert T. Kiyosaki
The Lean Startup - Eric Ries
Tools of Titans - Tim Ferriss
The Compound Effect - Darren Hardy
Crucial Conversations - Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
The Slight Edge - Jeff Olson
Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges - Amy Cuddy
The Success Principles - Jack Canfield
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Make Your Bed - Admiral William H. McRaven
Ego is the Enemy - Ryan Holiday
Mastery - Robert Greene
The Art of War - Sun Tzu
Principles: Life and Work - Ray Dalio
Unlimited Power - Tony Robbins
As a Man Thinketh - James Allen
The 48 Laws of Power - Robert Greene
The Obstacle is the Way - Ryan Holiday
A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle
Mindfulness in Plain English - Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
The Untethered Soul - Michael A. Singer
Who Moved My Cheese? - Spencer Johnson
Your Best Year Ever - Michael Hyatt
Mind Over Mood - Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky
The Road Less Traveled - M. Scott Peck
Emotional Intelligence - Daniel Goleman
The War of Art - Steven Pressfield
Boundaries - Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Getting Things Done - David Allen
The Confidence Code - Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
No Excuses! - Brian Tracy
Mindfulness for Beginners - Jon Kabat-Zinn
Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude - Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone
The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin
Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life - Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
The Art of Possibility- Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
12 Rules for Life - Jordan B. Peterson
The Charisma Myth - Olivia Fox Cabane
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - Marie Kondo
Loving What Is - Byron Katie
The Talent Code - Daniel Coyle
Rising Strong - Brené Brown
Your Money or Your Life - Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
The Confidence Gap - Russ Harris
The Courage to Be Disliked - Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
Unfu*k Yourself - Gary John Bishop
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway - Susan Jeffers
The Power of Vulnerability - Brené Brown
The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron
The Pursuit of Happyness - Chris Gardner
Better Than Before- Gretchen Rubin
The Speed of Trust - Stephen M.R. Covey
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself - Dr. Joe Dispenza
The Energy Bus - Jon Gordon
Miracle Morning Millionaires - Hal Elrod and David Osborn
Failing Forward - John C. Maxwell
The Compound Effect - Darren Hardy
The Four Hour Workweek - Timothy Ferriss
Daring Greatly - Brené Brown
The Go-Giver - Bob Burg and John David Mann
Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life - Eric Greitens
The Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren
What Got You Here Won't Get You There - Marshall Goldsmith
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard - Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind - Yuval Noah Harari
Living Forward - Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy
The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - Daniel H. Pink
How To Choose The Best Self Improvement Books for You
It goes without saying that not every book on the above list will resonate with you. I’ve read my fair share of self improvement books that just didn’t hit the spot.
So, how can you save your time (and money) by making sure that the books you choose to buy are worth it?
Choosing the Right Self-Improvement Book for You
When selecting a self-improvement book that aligns with your goals and desires, there are several key factors to consider.
Reading Online Reviews: Before purchasing a self-improvement book, take the time to read online reviews from reputable sources or platforms. Feedback from other readers can provide valuable insights into the book's content, writing style, and effectiveness.
Scientific vs. Anecdotal: Determine whether you prefer a scientific approach supported by research and data or an anecdotal one filled with personal stories and experiences. This choice can greatly impact how you connect with and apply the book's teachings.
Identifying Areas of Improvement: Reflect on the specific areas of your life that you want to enhance or develop. Whether it's boosting confidence, building better relationships, or achieving career success, knowing your priorities will help you pinpoint a book that addresses these aspects effectively.
By considering these factors and being mindful of your preferences and objectives, you can choose a self-improvement book that resonates with you and empowers you to make positive changes in your life.
There you have it, a complete list of 100 self improvement books that could change your life!
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