Starting a journey of self-improvement and personal growth can be difficult but ultimately quite fulfilling. Books are useful tools you can take advantage of to provide inspiration, direction, and insights. There is a self-help book out there to help you achieve your goals, whether they are to develop inner peace, improve relationships, change your thinking, or increase productivity.

This is a carefully selected list of 52 self-help books that you should read at least once a week to empower yourself in the upcoming year. I know a lot of people like to wait until the start of a new year to build new habits, but I want you to challenge yourself. As we begin this new month… begin your next year of self-improvement and self-empowerment. All you have to do is sit down with a good book and start reading.

Mindset and Personal Growth

1. “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol S. Dweck
2. "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear
3. "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth
4. "You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life" by Jen Sincero
5. "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment" by Eckhart Tolle
6. “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life” By Mark Manson
7. “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene

Emotional Well-being and Happiness

8. "The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun" by Gretchen Rubin
9. "The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are" by Brené Brown
10. "Emotional Intelligence 2.0" by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
11. "Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead" by Brené Brown
12. "The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom" by Don Miguel Ruiz

Relationships and Communication

13. "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie
14. "Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find—and Keep—Love" Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
15. "Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life" by Marshall B. Rosenberg
16. "The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts" by Gary Chapman
17. "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High" by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler

Productivity and Success

18. "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" by Cal Newport
19. "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown
20. "The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM)" by Hal Elrod
21. "Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" by Daniel H. Pink
22. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change" by Stephen R. Covey

Mindfulness and Meditation

23. "Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life" by Jon Kabat-Zinn
24. "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
25. "The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself" by Michael A. Singer
26. "Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha" by Tara Brach
27. “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life”

Financial Well-being and Success

28. "Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!" by Robert T. Kiyosaki
29. "The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness" by Dave Ramsey
30. "The Total Money Makeover Workbook" by Dave Ramsey
31. "I Will Teach You to Be Rich" by Ramit Sethi
32. "Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence" by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
33. "The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy" by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

Health and Well-being

34. "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business" by Charles Duhigg
35. "The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" by Bessel van der Kolk
36. "The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich" by Timothy Ferriss
37. "Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon" by Dr. Joe Dispenza
38. "Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time" by Brian Tracy

Spirituality and Inspiration

39. "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho
40. "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl
41. "The Power of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale
42. "The Road Less Travelled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values, and Spiritual Growth" by M. Scott Peck

Leadership and Personal Development

43. "Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't" by Simon Sinek
44. "Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action" by Simon Sinek
45. "Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization" by Dave Logan, John King, and Halee Fischer-Wright
46. "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't" by Jim Collins**
47. "The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses" by Eric Ries

Creativity and Innovation

48. "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear" by Elizabeth Gilbert
49. "Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World" by Adam Grant
50. "The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity" by Julia Cameron
51. "Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All" by Tom Kelley and David Kelley
52. "Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative" by Austin Kleon

Final Thoughts

You will find a plethora of knowledge and useful advice in these 52 self-help books to explore throughout the year. Whether your focus is on relationships, productivity, financial success, personal development, or mindfulness, each book offers fresh perspectives and practical advice to help you reach your objectives and live a more satisfying life. In order to reach your greatest potential in the upcoming year, read these books thoroughly, consider their lessons, and put their ideas into practice. Happy Reading!