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.

Atomic Habits

by James Clear

Publication year 2018

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Order & Chaos, Education

Tags Leadership, Science & Nature, Business & Economics, Psychology, Psychology, Self-Improvement, Health

James Clear’s Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones is a guide to adopting good behaviors through incremental changes to your everyday routines. Avery first published the book in 2018, and this guide refers to the ebook edition. The book has unique pagination, with the page numbers beginning again at the start of each new chapter. Clear likely numbered his book this way because of his emphasis... Read Atomic Habits Summary

Autobiography of a Yogi

by Paramahansa Yogananda

Publication year 1946

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Space, Science & Technology, Self Discovery

Tags Religion & Spirituality, Indian Literature, Philosophy, Asian History, Philosophy, Biography, Self-Improvement

Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952) was first published in 1946 and has since become a much-loved and admired book around the world. It is regarded as one of the classics of 20th-century spiritual literature. In 1999, it was named by a HarperCollins panel of authors and scholars as one of the “100 Best Spiritual Books of the Century.” In the book, Yogananda tells the story of his life, beginning with his childhood... Read Autobiography of a Yogi Summary

A Whole New Mind

by Daniel H. Pink

Publication year 2004

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Tags Sociology, Education, Education, Science & Nature, Business & Economics, Psychology, Psychology, Self-Improvement, Arts & Culture

Daniel H. Pink’s A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, released in 2005, considers and challenges society’s history of valuing left-brained attributes over creative and empathic right-brained thinkers. Pink, an author of several books on business and human behavior, argues that the age of left-brain supremacy is over, making way for whole-minded thinkers who will define and thrive within the coming Conceptual Age. Pink offers six essential whole-minded aptitudes that are key... Read A Whole New Mind Summary

Becoming

by Michelle Obama

Publication year 2021

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Gender Identity, Race, Family, Marriage, Self Discovery, Community, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice

Tags Self-Improvement, Inspirational, African American Literature, US History

... Read Becoming Summary

Becoming Supernatural

by Joe Dispenza

Publication year 2017

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Mental Health, Self Discovery, Globalization, Order & Chaos, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Technology

Tags Science & Nature, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Self-Improvement, Health, Religion & Spirituality

... Read Becoming Supernatural Summary

Behave

by Robert M. Sapolsky

Publication year 2017

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Science & Technology, Good & Evil

Tags Science & Nature, Psychology, Anthropology, Anthropology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Self-Improvement, Health

... Read Behave Summary

Be Here Now

by Ram Dass

Publication year 1971

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes New Age, Space, Self Discovery, Religion & Spirituality, Gender Identity

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

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Being Wrong

by Kathryn Schulz

Publication year 2010

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Fear, Guilt, Shame & Pride, Conflict, Trust & Doubt, Education, Truth & Lies

Tags Psychology, Philosophy, Relationships, Science & Nature, Business & Economics, Sociology, World History, Psychology, Philosophy, Self-Improvement

Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error (2010) is a nonfiction book written by Kathryn Schulz, a journalist who has written for publications such as the New York Times Magazine, the Nation, and the Boston Globe. The book explores the nature of error from a psychological, philosophical, and personal point of view, drawing from philosophical thought, psychology studies, and personal anecdotes. Some themes of the book include the fallibility of the human mind, the... Read Being Wrong Summary

Beyond Anxiety

by Martha Beck

Publication year 2025

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Fear, Mental Health, New Age, Science & Technology

Tags Self-Improvement, Mental Illness, Psychology, Science & Nature, Sociology, Health, Health, Science

... Read Beyond Anxiety Summary

Beyond Order

by Jordan B. Peterson

Publication year 2021

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Conflict, Love, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Marriage, Self Discovery, Art

Tags Psychology, Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Government, Science & Nature, Religion & Spirituality, Leadership

... Read Beyond Order Summary

Big Magic

by Elizabeth Gilbert

Publication year 2015

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Language, Art, Perseverance, Fear, Gratitude

Tags Self-Improvement, Business & Economics, Psychology, Arts & Culture, Inspirational, Psychology

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear (2015) is a self-help guide by author and journalist Elizabeth Gilbert. This New York Times bestseller outlines six elements of creativity: courage, permission, enchantment, persistence, trust, and divinity. Gilbert uses anecdotes from her life and writing career, as well as the work of others, to explain these concepts, and presents her views and philosophical musings about creativity and inspiration. The work explores themes such as The Importance of Play... Read Big Magic Summary

Bird By Bird

by Anne Lamott

Publication year 1994

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Literature, Perseverance, Grief, Language

Tags Self-Improvement, Humor, Arts & Culture, Biography

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott was originally published in 1994. Many of Lamott’s books have been on the New York Times bestsellers list, which qualifies her to offer advice about how to write. She also taught at writing conferences and at UC Davis, received a Guggenheim Fellowship, and was inducted into the California Hall of Fame. Bird by Bird is a combination of memoir, self-help book, and writing... Read Bird By Bird Summary