Self-Help Books

Self-Help Books describes a diverse selection of titles that focus on self-discovery and self-improvement. The self-help genre is characterized by literature that shares research and advice to promote self-understanding and prompt changes in one's outlook or behavior, thus improving one's quality of life. The Self-Help Collection features texts that discuss topics ranging from business and personal finance to interpersonal relationships, mental health, and sexuality.

The Interpretation of Dreams

by Sigmund Freud

Publication year 1899

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Memory, Shame & Pride, Family, Mental Health, Coming of Age

Tags Psychology, Science & Nature, Philosophy, World History, Psychology, Philosophy, Self-Improvement, Classic Fiction

Sigmund Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams is a landmark work in the field of psychoanalysis. First published in 1899, it is one of Freud's most famous and influential books. At its core, the book explores the significance of dreams in revealing the unconscious desires, fears, and conflicts of the individual. Freud argues that dreams are not just random collections of images and sensations, as was commonly held in his day. Neither are they inspirations from... Read The Interpretation of Dreams Summary

The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything

by SJ James Martin

Publication year 2010

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Trust & Doubt, Good & Evil, Wins & Losses, Forgiveness, Love, Perseverance, Education

Tags Religion & Spirituality, Self-Improvement, Christian, Philosophy, Philosophy

The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life by Father James Martin was published in 2010. The book is an accessible introduction to Ignatian spirituality, a famous Catholic devotional practice developed in the 16th century by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Father Martin, who left a career in corporate finance to become a Jesuit priest, is a prolific and popular writer on Catholic topics. He is an editor-at-large... Read The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything Summary

The Last Lecture

by Jeffrey Zaslow, Randy Pausch

Publication year 2008

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Childhood & Youth

Tags Philosophy, Inspirational, Philosophy, Self-Improvement, Biography

The Last Lecture, published in 2008, is a best-selling memoir that repurposes the final lecture delivered by Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University. The book, which was co-authored with Wall Street Journal columnist Jeffery Zaslow, fleshes out Pausch’s lecture, delving into the background behind the speech and detailing the months after its delivery, ultimately becoming a record of Pausch’s life. He admits that “under the ruse of giving an academic lecture... Read The Last Lecture Summary

The Laws of Human Nature

by Robert Greene

Publication year 2018

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Conflict, Forgiveness, Hate & Anger, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Appearance & Reality, Family, Self Discovery, Community, Power & Greed, Science & Technology

Tags Psychology, Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Business & Economics, Leadership, Sociology

... Read The Laws of Human Nature Summary

The Light We Carry

by Michelle Obama

Publication year 2022

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Self Discovery, Friendship, Family, Marriage, Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Conflict, Gratitude

Tags Politics & Government, Social Justice, Self-Improvement, US History, Race & Racism, Diversity, Parenting, Relationships, Inspirational, Biography

... Read The Light We Carry Summary

The Lucifer Effect

by Philip G. Zimbardo

Publication year 2007

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Good & Evil

Tags Science & Nature, Social Science, Sociology, World History, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Self-Improvement, Politics & Government

The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil, published in 2007, is a nonfiction book written by Philip Zimbardo, an American psychologist and a professor emeritus at Stanford University. He rose to prominence for his Stanford Prison Experiment and is founder and president of the Heroic Imagination Project. In The Lucifer Effect, Zimbardo argues that humans are neither good nor evil. Instead, systemic and situational forces shape individuals’ actions, and every individual has the... Read The Lucifer Effect Summary

The Mastery of Love

by Don Miguel Ruiz

Publication year 1999

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Love, Fear, Mental Health, Appearance & Reality, Religion & Spirituality, Truth & Lies

Tags Self-Improvement, Religion & Spirituality, Relationships, Philosophy, Psychology, Love & Sexuality, Philosophy, Inspirational, Psychology

... Read The Mastery of Love Summary

The Moment of Lift

by Melinda French Gates

Publication year 2019

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Justice, Equality, Community, Globalization, Economics, Education, Teamwork, Family

Tags Gender & Feminism, Social Justice, Inspirational, Women`s Studies, Business & Economics, Self-Improvement, Biography

... Read The Moment of Lift Summary

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

by Robin S. Sharma

Publication year 1996

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Future, Midlife, Self Discovery, Mental Health, Beauty, Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Gratitude, Fate, Religion & Spirituality, Environment

Tags Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Religion & Spirituality, Inspirational, Psychology, Business & Economics, Psychology, Philosophy

... Read The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari Summary

The Moral Bucket List

by David Brooks

Publication year 2015

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Self Discovery, Perseverance, Appearance & Reality

Tags Philosophy, Psychology, Self-Improvement

“The Moral Bucket List” is an essay by David Brooks first published in the New York Times Op-Ed Section on April 11, 2015. Born in Toronto and raised in New York, Brooks is a prominent cultural journalist, political analyst, and book author. Since 2003, he has written a twice-weekly column for the New York Times, and since 2004, he has been a political analyst for PBS NewsHour. “The Moral Bucket List” is an adapted excerpt... Read The Moral Bucket List Summary

The Mountain Is You

by Brianna Wiest

Publication year 2020

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Mental Health, Religion & Spirituality, Self Discovery, New Age, Conflict

Tags Self-Improvement, Psychology, Relationships, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Mental Illness, Health, Religion & Spirituality

... Read The Mountain Is You Summary