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.

Creativity, Inc.

by Edwin Catmull, Amy Wallace

Publication year 2014

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Community, Art, Equality, Science & Technology

Tags Self-Improvement, Arts & Culture, Biography

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration (2014) is a business memoir by Edwin E. Catmull, a co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios. Using his career as a framework, Catmull outlines his philosophy on how to build a sustainable creative culture. The book traces his path from a computer science student with a dream of making the first computer-animated feature film to his leadership roles at Pixar and, later... Read Creativity, Inc. Summary

Crucial Conversations

by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler

Publication year 2002

Genre Reference/Text Book, Nonfiction

Themes Language, Conflict, Teamwork

Tags Self-Improvement, Business & Economics, Leadership, Relationships, Psychology, Psychology

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When the Stakes Are High (2002) was written by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Al Switzler, and Ron McMillan. It has become a cornerstone of the field of interpersonal communication and self-improvement, offering insights into the dynamics that govern our most vital conversations. Both Kerry Patterson and Joseph Grenny are leading authorities on organizational change and have advised some of the world’s largest organizations. Al Switzler is a renowned speaker and... Read Crucial Conversations Summary

Daring Greatly

by Brené Brown

Publication year 2012

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Fear, Shame & Pride, Community

Tags Self-Improvement, Parenting

Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead (2012) is a self-help book that argues people need to embrace vulnerability and live courageously. Rooted in 12 years of ground-breaking research, the book shows that vulnerability is not a weakness but instead it is a measure of courage and the key to a fulfilling life. Daring Greatly is a New York Times best seller and... Read Daring Greatly Summary

David And Goliath

by Malcolm Gladwell

Publication year 2013

Genre Book, Nonfiction

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

Malcolm Gladwell’s 2013 book David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants is an investigation of the relationship—often distorted, in Gladwell’s view—between underdogs and giants. Taken from the Biblical account of David and Goliath, underdogs are cast as those battling (and overcoming) seemingly overwhelming odds, and giants are their adversaries. David and Goliath was a bestseller, but some critics and scholars found Gladwell’s conclusions unsatisfying and the stories he draws from unsubstantiated... Read David And Goliath Summary

Deep Survival

by Laurence Gonzales

Publication year 1998

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Science & Technology, Safety & Danger, Perseverance

Tags Psychology, Business & Economics, Action & Adventure, Self-Improvement, Travel Literature, Science & Nature, Psychology

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Deep Work

by Cal Newport

Publication year 2016

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Science & Technology

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

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Dopamine Nation

by Anna Lembke

Publication year 2021

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Mental Health, Self Discovery, Guilt, Forgiveness, Shame & Pride, Gratitude, Family, Community, Apathy, Nation, Science & Technology, Truth & Lies

Tags Health, Psychology, Science & Nature, Self-Improvement, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Depression & Suicide, Mental Illness, Leadership, Psychology

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Drinking: A Love Story

by Caroline Knapp

Publication year 1996

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Guilt

Tags Psychology, Psychology, Mental Illness, Self-Improvement, Food, Biography

Drinking: A Love Story is Caroline Knapp’s 1997 memoir about her alcoholism and recovery. Knapp examines how her relationship with alcohol turned into a dangerous love affair that threatened to destroy her life. She also explores important aspects of her family life and romantic relationships, both of which contributed to her addiction and were impeded by her drinking.Knapp begins the book with a prologue that helps the reader understand why she quit drinking. She explains... Read Drinking: A Love Story Summary

Drive

by Daniel H. Pink

Publication year 2009

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, Community, Education, Science & Technology

Tags Psychology, Self-Improvement, Business & Economics

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Emotional Intelligence 2.0

by Travis Bradberry, Jean Greaves

Publication year 2009

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Teamwork, Economics, Wins & Losses

Tags Self-Improvement, Psychology

Emotional Intelligence 2.0, by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, is a practical, assessment-driven guide to understanding and improving emotional intelligence (EQ) in both personal and professional settings. Targeted primarily at working professionals, leaders, and teams but applicable to anyone seeking better self-management and interpersonal effectiveness, the book frames EQ as a skill set that can be learned and strengthened over time. Its structure combines conceptual explanations with actionable strategies, reinforced by a self-assessment tool designed... Read Emotional Intelligence 2.0 Summary